Flu season is here, and we are all susceptible. The Caribbean is known for its use of natural remedies, especially herbal teas. So let’s take a tour from island to island to see what locals say are the best tried and true remedies they have used over the years.

Caribbean home remedies for cold and flu often feature local herbs and spices such as ginger, cinnamon, garlic and turmeric, combined with honey and lemon to soothe sore throats and fight inflammation. In addition to these natural remedies, hydration with fluids like water and homemade broth is emphasized. Steam treatments with essential oils such as eucalyptus, saltwater gargles for sore throats, and the use of camphor rub are also common. These oils and gargles help alleviate congestion and support the immune system naturally.

In Trinidad and Tobago, bush tea is a popular remedy for cold and flu. One common preparation is fever grass tea (also known as lemongrass tea) with added ginger and a few cloves of garlic (about four). It is steeped in hot water to produce a light yellow‑green tea believed to soothe symptoms such as fever, coughs and congestion, and it is credited with antiviral properties. To make it, boil water with smashed fever grass stalks, ginger and garlic, then steep for 10–15 minutes. Sweeten with honey or sugar to taste. Mauby bark is also used to make a drink said to boost the immune system.

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