| Instead of | Try this | Notes |
| Cough suppressant | Wild cherry (Prunus serotina), horehound (Marrubium vulgare), or slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) | Choose lozenges, syrup, or tea. |
| Decongestant | Aromatic oils: eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), peppermint (Mentha piperita), or menthol | Combine a few drops of one of the oils with hot water in a bowl, cover your head with a towel, and breathe in the vapor. |
| Decongestant | Horseradish
(Armoracia rusticana) | Eat horseradish (the fresh root or prepared horseradish dressing) or apply a poultice of horseradish powder over the nose or sinuses. |
| Fever reducer | Elderflower
(Sambucus nigra) | Choose syrup, tincture, or tea. |
| Pain reliever | White willow
(Salix species) or meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmariaI) | Choose either tincture or tea. |
| Sore throat spray | Slippery elm
(Ulmus rubra) | Choose lozenges, tea, syrup, or tincture. |
| Sore throat spray | Bee propolis | Choose syrup or throat spray. All bee products have a slight risk for allergic reaction. |
