How To Naturally Manage Any Type of Infection (Part 1)

Infections happen. A cold that won’t quit. A cough that keeps you up at night. A urinary tract infection that makes you miserable. They’re part of life, but they don’t always require a trip to the pharmacy.

Many infections—especially viral colds and mild urinary issues—respond well to natural remedies that have actual research behind them.

But before we dive into what works, let’s get the important stuff out of the way.

A Quick Safety Note

Natural remedies work wonderfully for most mild infections—they’re gentle, effective, and often what your body needs to heal.

That said, if you have confusion, severe drowsiness, difficulty breathing, bluish skin or lips, high fever that won’t come down, or severe worsening pain, get medical attention right away. These can be signs of something serious that needs immediate care.

Also worth knowing: antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, not viral ones like colds and flu. Most respiratory infections are viral and get better on their own with natural support.

But if you do have a bacterial infection—like some UTIs or strep throat—antibiotics may be the right tool.

Think of natural remedies as your first line of support for mild infections and prevention. Medical care is your safety net when something needs more attention.

Now let’s talk about what actually helps.

Respiratory Infections: Colds, Coughs, and Congestion

Most upper respiratory infections—runny nose, sore throat, cough—are viral. They get better on their own. There’s no “cure” for the common cold, but you can reduce how miserable you feel and help your body recover faster.

Honey and…

Your grandmother wasn’t wrong. A review of multiple studies found honey was better than usual care for improving cough and other cold symptoms.

How to use it: Take 1-2 teaspoons of raw honey straight, or make honey lemon tea:

• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• Juice of half a lemon
• 1 cup hot (not boiling) water
• Optional: fresh ginger slices

Drink 2-3 cups daily when you have a cough.

Critical safety note: Never give honey to babies under 12 months old—it can cause botulism in infants.

Nicole Apelian: “This is a strong natural antibiotic that probably grows in your own backyard. I recommend taking it together with a probiotic.”

She calls it “Doxycycline of the Woods” because of how powerful it is against bacterial infections. She shows you exactly what it looks like, where it grows, and how to prepare it properly. Click the image for her free presentation!

 

Saline Nasal Rinse

When you’re congested and can’t breathe through your nose, a saline rinse helps. Studies show it improves runny nose and sinus symptoms when used as an add-on to your usual care.

It’s not exotic—just salt water flushing out mucus and irritants. But it works.

How to make it safely:

• 1 cup distilled, sterile, or boiled-and-cooled water (NOT tap water—tap water can cause rare but serious infections)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (non-iodized)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Mix well. Use a neti pot, squeeze bottle, or bulb syringe to rinse each nostril over a sink. Do this 1-2 times daily when congested.

The Duo That Clears Congestion Faster Than Either Plant Alone

This formulation helps promote the clearing of congestion and mucus in the lungs and may help calm coughs and wheezing that come with respiratory infections.

It’s made with lungwort lichen and mullein—two plants that work synergistically together.

If you can forage those, go ahead. I tried buying them separately to make the formula at home, but in my area they’re so expensive it’s not worth the effort. Lungwort alone was $40 for a small bag.

So I use the Lungwort Mullein Blend Tincture instead. Nicole produces small batches, and honestly, the price is insane for what you get.

Click here to see if it’s still available (usually sold out this time of year).

Zinc Lozenges: Shorten Your Cold by a Third

If you start zinc lozenges within 24 hours of cold symptoms starting, studies show they can shorten your cold by about 33%. That’s real, measurable relief.

The trick is starting early and using them correctly—let them dissolve slowly in your mouth rather than swallowing them whole.

How to use: Follow package directions, usually one lozenge every 2-3 hours while awake. Don’t exceed the recommended dose—too much zinc causes nausea and can lead to copper deficiency over time.

Important: Never use zinc nasal sprays or gels—they’ve been linked to permanent loss of smell.

Pelargonium (Umckaloabo): The Cough Remedy You Haven’t Heard Of

Pelargonium sidoides, often sold as EPs 7630 or Umckaloabo, is an African geranium extract. Multiple studies found it reduced cough burden and helped people recover faster from acute bronchitis and colds.

It’s less common than the others on this list, but if you find it at a health store, it’s backed by real research.

Follow package directions—typically a liquid extract or tablet taken 3 times daily during illness.

Elderberries

Elderberries are packed with antioxidants and compounds that boost your immune system. Studies show they can reduce the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms—sometimes by several days.

They work by preventing viruses from replicating and entering your cells. That’s why they’re most effective when you take them at the first sign of symptoms.

The Elderberry Tincture made by Nicole Apelian is actually one of the best-selling products in her genuine online apothecary. She really knows her stuff as an herbalist—she’s been making elderberry syrup and tinctures for over 30 years.

Take 1-2 dropperfuls at the first sign of a cold, then 3 times daily until symptoms clear.

Click here for the elderberry tincture that shortens colds and supports your immune system.

What About Echinacea?

Everyone asks about echinacea. The honest answer? The evidence is mixed. Some studies suggest a small preventive effect is possible, but overall it doesn’t seem to work reliably for treating colds once you have them.

If you love echinacea and feel it helps, that’s fine—but don’t expect miracles.

Urinary Tract Infections: Prevention and Support

UTIs are usually bacterial. If you have a full-blown UTI with burning, frequency, urgency, and possibly fever or back pain, you likely need antibiotics.

Don’t delay seeing a doctor—untreated UTIs can spread to your kidneys and become serious.

But if you’re prone to recurrent UTIs, natural prevention strategies can help reduce how often they happen.

Cranberry: The Prevention Strategy With Real Evidence

A large review of 50 studies with nearly 9,000 participants found cranberry products reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs in women and children. They work best for prevention, not treatment of an active infection.

Cranberries contain compounds that help prevent bacteria from sticking to your bladder wall. It’s not magic, but it’s real.

How to use it:

• Pure cranberry juice (not cranberry cocktail loaded with sugar): 8 ounces daily
• Cranberry capsules: Follow package directions, typically 400-500mg twice daily
• Dried cranberries: A small handful daily

Be consistent. It takes weeks of daily use to see prevention benefits.

The Herbal Blend That Soothes Burning, Urgency, and Discomfort

Cranberries help prevent UTIs. But when you already have burning, urgency, and discomfort, you need something that soothes while your body fights the infection.

Inside a collection of 250 remedies, you’ll find the complete urinary system section:

• Herbal Blend for Urinary Tract Infections 
• Daily Flush Drops
• Bladder Strength Brew 
• Kidney Elixir
• Kidney Stone-Melting Juice

Each recipe comes with step-by-step instructions, exact measurements, and proper dosages.

You’re not just preventing infections. You’re soothing the symptoms while you heal.

Click here for the complete urinary system remedies that help both prevention and relief.

D-Mannose: The Trendy One That Didn’t Hold Up

You’ve probably seen d-mannose recommended for UTI prevention. A recent large study found it did NOT reduce recurrent UTIs and shouldn’t be recommended for prevention.

Earlier, smaller studies were more positive, which is why it became popular. But when researchers did a bigger, better study, it didn’t work.

Save your money. Stick with cranberry if you want natural UTI prevention.

Drink More Water

This sounds too simple to matter, but it helps. Drinking more liquids—especially water—helps flush bacteria out and can ease symptoms during recovery.

Aim for 8-10 glasses of water daily, more if you’re dealing with a UTI.

When to See a Doctor About UTIs

See a doctor if you have:

• Burning or pain when you pee
• Frequent urge to pee with little coming out
• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Fever, chills, or back pain
• Symptoms that don’t improve in 24-48 hours

These usually need antibiotics. Natural remedies support prevention—they don’t replace treatment when you have an active bacterial infection.

Usnea: The All-in-One Natural Antimicrobial That Works for Throat AND Urinary Infections

Usnea is a lichen (often called “Old Man’s Beard”) that grows on trees. It’s antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal—making it one of the most versatile infection fighters in nature.

Here’s why herbalists love it:

✅ For sore throats: Spray directly in your throat—it kills bacteria and soothes inflammation
✅ For UTIs: Take internally to fight bacterial infections in the urinary tract
✅ For respiratory infections: Helps fight lung infections and bronchitis
✅ For skin infections: Apply topically to cuts, scrapes, and fungal infections

It contains usnic acid, a compound that’s particularly effective against streptococcus and staphylococcus bacteria (the ones that cause strep throat and staph infections).

How to use: For throat infections, spray 2-3 times directly in your throat every 2-3 hours. For UTIs or respiratory infections, take 2 dropperfuls 3 times daily.

The Usnea Tincture Spray is very affordable right now—Nicole knows how many people actually need it during cold and flu season.

Click here to get the usnea tincture spray that works for throat, urinary, and respiratory infections.

The Bottom Line for Part 1

For respiratory infections, honey, saline rinses, and zinc lozenges have solid evidence behind them. They won’t cure a virus, but they help you feel better while your body fights it off.

For urinary tract infections, cranberry helps prevent recurrence if you’re prone to UTIs. But if you have an active infection, see your doctor—you likely need antibiotics.

Natural remedies work best when paired with common sense: rest, hydration, and knowing when home care isn’t enough.

Want Part 2? Tell Us Which Infections You Need Help With

We’re planning Part 2 of this infections series, and your voice matters.

Which infections would you like us to cover?

Stomach bugs and food poisoning? Skin infections (cuts, scrapes, boils, abscesses)? Fungal infections (athlete’s foot, nail fungus, yeast infections)? Ear infections? Sinus infections? Something else?

Leave a comment below and let us know what you’re struggling with. We’ll cover the infections that matter most to you.

You may also like:

The ‘Nerve Oil’ You Should Use For Shaky Hands

Never Drink This Before Going To Sleep (Video)

Parasites 101: Signs, Dangers & Natural Remedies That Actually Work

The Mushroom That Can Regrow Brain Tissue

🌿 Join Our Private Herbal Community For Free. 👉 Click here!

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. These remedies are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have signs of serious infection, difficulty breathing, high fever, or symptoms that worsen, seek medical care immediately. Natural remedies support wellness but don’t replace medical diagnosis and treatment when needed.