Viral infections can be fought at home if they are rather simple ones such a cough and cold, sore throat, upper respiratory tract infection or flu. Some moderately severe ones such as gastroenteritis or herpes can also be treated at home.
However, in talking about viral infections you generally allude to the common cough and cold because that is the most prevalent viral infection in this part as well as many other parts of the world. There is probably no one who has not suffered from flu or common cough and cold. So many people get laid down and working days are lost due to it every year. This is especially true for children. The symptoms are all too common to need any elaboration.
The headache, cough, stuffy nose, fever, chills, itchy eyes, sore throat etc. all are tell signs that virus has caught on with you. You may have been treating these symptoms with expensive antibiotics and vitamin C so far. Here are some home remedies that are no less effective in treating these symptoms, but are very light on the pocket. Not only that these remedies do not have the side effects like the antibiotics. Let us look at some of the home remedies for viral infections.
Home Remedies For Viral Infections
Garlic And Honey
Garlic is all too well known for its antibiotic and anti-inflammatory property. Honey too is anti-inflammatory, antiviral and able to draw out water from inflamed tissues. So you can combine the beneficial properties of garlic and honey to heal the infection.
For this crush three cloves of garlic and mix that into three or four tablespoon of honey. Take the mixture bit by bit throughout the day. You will be cured within a week. This is as per practical observation.
Boost The Energy Level
When you are down with infection you need to boost the energy level of your body so that you can fight the infection better. But you cannot take much of protein rich food because that is somewhat tough on your stomach. So to get energetic food that is light on the stomach you can have a plate of boiled rice served hot mixed with sugar and drenched in milk. This is easy to gulp down and rich in energy. You can also have hot and boiled rice with salt, pepper and cumin.
Drink Plenty Of Water And Fluid
Gulping down glasses of water can help you to drive out some of the virus, thin out the mucus so that you can expel it easily and rescue the body from dehydration.
So taking lots of fluid can be very helpful in viral infection. Take at least 8 glasses of water every day. You can also take fruit juice or various soups such as chicken soup or vegetable soup.
Gargle
Gargling with warm and salty water is a often practiced cured for viral infection. It is able to deactivate the virus to some extent and bring out the mucus. The antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic nature of salt comes into play here.
Ginger
Ginger is a very good anti-inflammatory and decongestant. It will help you to breath freely again and reduce the soreness in throat. Make a cup of ginger and tea and take it sip by sip. You will recover from viral infection.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.