Just about everybody’s grandmother had the same basic prescription for treating a cold or the flu: drink plenty of fluids (staying hydrated is even more important during pregnancy, btw), get plenty of rest, sip some homemade broth or chicken soup, and up your intake of vitamin C to give the immune system a much-needed boost.

While those are all great- and important- first steps, that advice is also a little, well, basic. Knock out a cold or flu quickly with the following turbo charged remedies.

An Ounce of Prevention:

Fighting the cold and flu starts long before you actually get sick. Reduce your chances of getting sick by adhering to the following guidelines, especially from October through April (cold/flu season)

1. Practice good hygiene

2. Eat more garlic

3. Break a sweat

4. Decide if the flu shot is right for you

Recipes from Howland, Genevieve. The mama natural week-by-Week guide to pregnancy & childbirth. New York, North Star Way, 2017.