In January, once the holiday decorations are put away and the leftover turkey is gone, viruses emerge from their hiding places. Cold weather, dry air, and winter closeness provide them with the perfect playground. They hitch a ride on our mittens and tissues, dreaming of becoming our “best friends.”

To fight them, two approaches clash: grandma’s remedies, passed down with love, experience, and sometimes a pinch of superstition, and the trendy remedies on social media, sometimes dubious, that promise to get you back on your feet faster than a homemade broth.

As always, my heart wavers between nostalgia for traditions and curiosity for new approaches. My goal? To help you sort fact from “too good to be true” for you, your family, and our collective well-being.

COLD OR FLU?
Cold: Stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, mild fatigue, light sore throat. Caused by many different viruses. You can soothe it, but patience is key—your immune system usually clears it in 5 to 10 days.
Flu: Fever, chills, body aches, headache, and extreme fatigue. It can lead to complications in children, the elderly, and vulnerable individuals. Here, staying in bed is essential.
Mamie Julie’s tip: Never underestimate the flu. It’s not “just a bad cold.” The vaccine remains the best way to reduce the risk of complications and hospitalization. While it doesn’t prevent every infection, it reduces severity.

SOOTHING THE THROAT AND COUGH
Traditions: Warm saltwater gargle, cold treats (popsicles, gelato, ice cream), and lozenges.
Verdict: Gargling helps loosen mucus, cold treats temporarily numb discomfort, and lozenges stimulate saliva, which hydrates the throat and eases irritation. Zinc lozenges may slightly shorten the duration of a cold if taken early, but in moderation (too much zinc can cause side effects). Even candies can work similarly. For a sugar-free option, slowly dissolve an ice cube on your tongue.

Trends: Hot drinks made with Jell-O and honey, concoctions of milk, butter, honey, egg yolk, and baking soda, or microwaving an orange with honey, salt, and a little sugar.
Verdict: These can hydrate and soothe the throat thanks to heat and honey (whose cough-soothing effect is well documented), but they don’t treat the infection. Think of them as comfort, not miracle cures.

DECONGESTING THE NOSE
Traditions: Steam baths, hot showers, saline sprays, and sinus irrigation.
Verdict: Steam baths (with or without essential oils like eucalyptus, bay, or rosemary) really help by loosening mucus. Irrigation (sprays and neti pots) works if done correctly. For homemade solutions, use sterile boiled then cooled water. Ask your pharmacist for guidance. Watch the salt: too much irritates mucous membranes.

Trends: Garlic in the nostrils, taping the mouth shut at night, and aggressive nose or sinus massages.
Verdict: Irritating, useless, and sometimes dangerous. No evidence supports their effectiveness, and some practices can increase infection or injury risk.

REDUCING FEVER
Traditions: Compresses, eating, or removing a “skin” layer.
Verdict: Warm compresses can increase comfort but don’t “force” the fever down. Eat only if hungry, drink plenty of fluids—it’s essential. Feeling too hot? Lighten clothing. Chills? Cover up. Listen to your body. Fever is a natural response to fight infection.

Trends: Vinegar-soaked socks, onion or potato slices in socks.
Verdict: No scientific evidence. Effects are nil… except for smelly sheets.

RELIEVING HEADACHES AND BODY ACHES
Traditions: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin (adults), coffee, frozen pea bags.
Verdict: Painkillers reduce pain and fever, making rest easier. Caffeine can enhance painkiller effects by constricting blood vessels, but too much can trigger headaches. Cold numbs pain and reduces inflammation.

THE OFFICIAL FOUNDATION, NO MATTER THE VIRUS
Sacred tradition: Rest + water = best recovery.
Verdict: This rule has stood the test of time for a reason: the immune system works best when the body is rested, and fever increases water loss. Delegate, take time off, let yourself be pampered, and drink regularly. And if you binge-watch your favorite series, call it almost an official prescription… validated by Mamie Julie and public health. 🙂

Trends: Echinacea, elderberry, ginger, vitamin C, zinc, and other “cold busters.”
Verdict: No supplement cures a virus. Some may slightly support the immune system or increase comfort, but effects are modest and variable. Think of them as a complement, not a guarantee.

ENHANCING YOUR DRINKS
Traditions: Honey, lemon, and ginger in tea, juice, or broth.
Verdict: Honey soothes coughs, lemon adds vitamin C and freshness, and ginger has mild anti-inflammatory properties. Together, they warm the body and lift spirits—both important for healing.

Trends: The “flu bomb” (garlic, chili, eucalyptus, etc.).
Verdict: Avoid. Some versions are potentially toxic. Its promoter was banned from practicing health advice in Australia for dangerous recommendations.

Drinks that help at any age: Chicken soup (yes, it really helps with hydration and comfort), hot chocolate, electrolytes, and above all… water.

IN CONCLUSIONBetween traditions and trends, the real remedy is often common sense wrapped in gentleness. Listen to your body, be wary of spectacular promises, and choose what is comforting, safe, and approved.

And don’t forget simple daily gestures: wash hands frequently, avoid sharing personal items, clean surfaces, and ventilate your space regularly. Mamie Julie says: sometimes the best medicine is a little science, plenty of rest, and a generous dose of self-kindness.

A virus passes, but feeling surrounded, warmed, and pampered always helps you heal faster.

And you? What’s your favorite remedy when cold or flu strikes without warning: a tradition passed down from your mother or grandmother, or a viral trend spotted online? Share in the comments. Mitsou, her team, and I can’t wait to discover your healing secrets—from the coziest to the most surprising.

Translated from published article January 9, 2026 mitsoumagazine.com January 9, 2026 (c) Julie Blais Comeau

***

Call to Readers
In March 2026, I will become a grandmother. I dream of a community for women 60 and over—future grandmothers, vibrant and curious women. A place to share ideas, experiences, tips, and laughter. Interested? Write me at julie@glammie-era.com

Mamie Julie, etiquette expert, aspiring actress, and soon-to-be grandmother, combines traditions and trends to help you navigate life with elegance and confidence across generations while staying true to yourself. Julie Blais Comeau is recognized in Quebec and Canada as an authority on etiquette, speaker, author, and media contributor. Active, passionate, and tech-savvy, Julie will guide you through all kinds of situations.