Flu season is here and many people are getting afflicted with runny noses, hacking coughs and sore throats. A flu can be very physically draining and mentally exhausting. It has been said that flu accounts for one of the biggest reasons for absenteeism at work and loss of productivity. Flu is commonly caused by a virus.
Because there are hundreds of viruses that can cause flu, it is very difficult to find a cure for flu. Simple home remedies can come to your rescue and help to alleviate the symptoms until the ailment runs its course. Let us study some simple and effective home remedies for flu.
Drinking hot soups and broths can help to give relief from a sore throat and sniffles. Chicken soup especially is said to be very healthy and is ideally recommended to treat a cold. Since you will not feel like eating anything else, it is a good idea to add a tablespoon of oats to your soup to give you the much-needed energy.
Put a lot of garlic and pepper in your soup. Garlic has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that help to fight off the infection whereas the pepper will help to open the airways.
If you are suffering from blocked sinuses and headaches applying a warm compress on your forehead or the nose will help to open up clogged airways and also give relief from headaches.
These days you get a wide variety of throat lozenges that not only keep the throat moist and devoid of irritation but also help to get rid of pain and soreness. Keep sucking on these throat lozenges throughout the day.
Nothing seems to be as effective as plain salt water gargles for treating a cough and a sore throat. Take some moderately hot water and add half a teaspoon of salt to this. Gargle with this water as often as you can to get relief from a scratchy and irritated throat.
Steam inhalation comes close as a super home remedy for giving relief from colds and flu. Purchase a steamer from the chemist or boil some water at home in a large vessel. Pour your head over the vessel and cover your head with a towel so that the steam does not escape. You can add a few drops of inhalade or eucalyptus oil to the water. The eucalyptus oil is very potent and helps to unclog the nasal passages.
Another alternative to steam inhalation is nasal irrigation, which is done with the help of a neti pot.
The neti pot helps to pour salt water in one nostril and you let the water run out from the other nostril. This helps to clear blocked airways and relieve nasal congestion.
If you do not have fever, a warm shower can give you immediate relief against a headache and a blocked nose. Run the shower as hot as you can tolerate and stand in the steamy shower for a few minutes. The steam from the shower cubicle will help to open up the airways and help you breathe easy. Avoid this remedy if it is very cold outside or you are having violent bouts of sneezing.
Make sure you are getting enough of warm liquids, which help to relieve and soothe a sore throat. Try chamomile tea or a hot ginger tea with some fresh ginger infused in the water. Sip on this tea throughout the day. It will soothe the throat and give relief from pain. Avoid coffee as it can make you feel dehydrated. The idea behind intake of fluids is to keep yourself hydrated.
As soon as you get up in the morning, sip on some lime and honey water. Squeeze out the juice of one lime and add a heaped tablespoon of honey to the water.
Now sip on this water. Your cold will feel much better. Continue having this water for a few days. Lime also has vitamin C, which helps to enhance the immunity of a person.
Just before you sleep at night, drink a cup of hot milk to which a pinch of turmeric and a teaspoon of sugar has been added. The turmeric has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties that help to give relief from a sore and painful throat.
Eat your curries and soups with plenty of chilli peppers. These peppers have capsaicin, which act as a natural decongestant and expectorant. The capsaicin has anti-oxidants that help to ward off the infection.
Natural Cure For Flu
Home Remedies For Flu
Effective Home Treatment For Flu
One of the best home remedies that you can follow for a flu is to stay at home and rest. Rest and adequate sleep will help to fight off the infection quickly. On the other hand, working too much or staying on your feet will make you feel more miserable and sick so try to sleep off the cold.
Water a natural therapy for colds and flu. Keep a flask of warm water by your bedside and keep sipping on this water throughout the day. Water will also prevent dehydration and help to flush out the infection from the body.
Keep your head elevated with plenty of pillows at night. This will keep your nasal passages open and prevent nasal congestion from keeping you away from a good night’s sleep.
Before the onset of the flu season, make sure you speak to your doctor and take a small course of vitamin C. Vitamin C raises your immunity against certain strains of the flu virus. Taking adequate amounts of vitamin C in the diet may also prove to be beneficial.
A mustard footbath may help to alleviate colds and flu as well. Soak your feet in a tub in which you have put a tablespoon of mustard powder. The mustard helps to draw the blood to your feet, which in turn helps to alleviate the nasal congestion.
These are simple and effective home remedies for flu.
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