Fever, sore throat, cough, aches, fatigue… common symptoms of the flu or a cold. Even the healthiest person gets sick once in a while. Especially during winter, as temperature drops, we spend less time in the sun, vitamin D levels drop, and we are more likely to spread viruses from one person to another due to a weakened immune system.
Many people believe that colds or the flu are caused by bacteria, and many doctors will prescribe antibiotics to treat the symptoms. But actually, most colds and flu are caused by viruses. So, in most cases, taking antibiotics makes no sense at all.
Actually all those symptoms are part of your body’s natural healing process. Your immune system is going in overdrive to kill those intruders. A fever, for instance, is your body’s response to try to kill those germs by creating a hotter environment than normal. Just as diarrhea is your body’s response to flush out all those germs. So basically, your body has to do most of the work to get rid of those and sickness is actually a sign that your body is handling it all by itself.
But this doesn’t mean you can’t help your body and shorten the duration and intensity of the symptoms. Simple home remedies can give you relief and help you to strengthen your immune system to fight those flu or cold causing germs. No need to pay a visit to the doctor. Try those all-natural remedies and you’ll be up and running in no time. So let’s have a look at the best natural treatments for cold and flu:
1. Drink Enough Fluids And Take A Rest
If you are having a fever or diarrhea, you are losing a lot of your body fluids. Drink enough water or herbal teas to make sure your body stays hydrated and gets plenty of healing sleep while your body is fighting those germs. Hot liquids, such as herbal teas or lemon water, will boost your immune system and many herbs can help your body to get rid of the infection. Avoid caffeinated and fizzy drinks. Find here the benefits of drinking lemon water and how to make cleansing ginger lemon tea.
2. Garlic
Garlic is well-known for its flu and cold fighting properties. It works as an antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent. You could make a healing garlic soup or mince 1-2 cloves and add those to a small glass of water. When pregnant limit the intake to 1 clove of garlic day. Find here how to make garlic syrup for chest infections.
3. Herbal Teas
There are many healing herbs for you to choose from. Herbs that work well to treat the flu or cold are: nettle leaf, peppermint, ginger, yarrow, elderberry, chamomile, red clover, and catnip. Find here how to make red clover tea to relieve cough and bronchitis and healing calendula tea to relieve sore throat. To learn more about medicinal herbs and natural remedies, you can find more useful information in the Herbal Remedies Guide. This guide will teach you how to treat common ailments using herbs.
4. Cinnamon And Honey
Not only adds a great taste to your herbal teas, but has strong antibacterial and antiviral properties. Especially when combined with honey. Works wonders to soothe a sore throat, lower fever, and relieve cough and congestion. Find more about the amazing health benefits of cinnamon in my article how to use cinnamon as a medicine.
5. Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salts help your body to detox, they improve circulation, strengthen your immune system, and reduce inflammation. You can find here the most extraordinary uses for Epsom salt.
6. Homemade Elderberry-Echinacea Cough Syrup
Elderberries and echinacea are well-known to treat the flu or cold. They strengthen your immune system and help your body to get rid of viruses and bacteria. Check out my previous post and learn how to make healing elderberry cough syrup. You can find here another easy and effective syrup to relieve sore throat and cough.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide
Effective to treat an upper respiratory or ear infection. Put a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide into each ear. Wait for about 5 to 10 minutes, until the bubbling is done, drain on a tissue. This may sting a bit. Do this while lying down and one ear at a time. You can find here more fantastic uses for hydrogen peroxide.
8. Take Your Vitamins
Vitamin D helps to speed up the healing process, zinc prevents viruses from reproducing, and vitamin C strengthens your immune system. Lemons are a great source of Vitamin C. Find here more information on how to boost your immune system.
9. Gargle With Apple Cider Vinegar
Not the nicest taste but very effective to alkalize your body and get rid of viruses and bacteria. Add one tablespoon to a cup of water, gargle first and drink when the first signs of illness appear. Repeat every hour until symptoms disappear. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice for a better effect. But keep in mind, don’t use this remedy too long as it may cause low potassium levels and may lower bone density when used over a longer period. You can find here 10 uses for apple cider vinegar for great health and at home.
10. Herbal Steam
Herbal steams are a great way to help loosen congestions and kill bacteria and viruses in the lungs, throat, bronchials, and sinuses. You can use essential oils or fresh or dried herbs to make your herbal steam. Thyme, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, oregano or blends of those are all good options for you to try. Boil 1-2 cups of water and add your herbs or essential oils. When using herbs, cover and steep for 5 minutes prior to steaming. Put face directly over pot with towel covering your head to hold in the heat. Slowly breathe the steam in and out for as long as you can, aim for 15 minutes. Find here more information about the best home remedies for sinus infection.
And don’t forget the best remedy to fight the flu or cold is rest. Give your body the time to heal itself.
Get well soon!
This is a guest post written by Amy Goodrich, yogi, health coach, and dedicated blogger who loves living a natural, eco-friendly, and healthy lifestyle. Visit her website http://www.body-in-balance.org and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bodyinbalance.org
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