Natural Cold and Flu
Remedies
Although natural cold and flu remedies are highly popular,
there is really no cure for colds or flu.
There are conventional medications don’t usually prevent the flu, some
do shorten how long colds and flus last and others may ease symptoms. There are many natural remedies what give
short term relief to help you get better.
The following suggestions show promise in easing cold and flu symptoms:
Echinacea
While echinacea boosts your immune system to fight off
infections, it is unclear how it fights colds.the evidence doesn’t prevent
colds, but may shorten your symptoms by a day or two. Still, some research shows echinacea to have
no effect.
Zinc
Studies show that zinc fights the virus that causes the
common cold by stopping proteins from forming before the virus reproduces. It may not prevent the cold, but shorten the
length and lessen the severity if it is taken within 24 hours of the first
symptoms. The Food & Drug
Administration (FDA) recommends not using zinc nasal products for colds as it
can lead to permanent loss of smell.
Vitamin C
The cold-fighting powers of Vitamin C are uncertain, but
research shows that it can cut cold symptoms by one day. Studies have shown that people with physical
stress due to cold weather are 50% less likely to get a cold if they take
Vitamin C. 2,000 milligrams is the
recommended dosage as a high dose may cause diarrhea or an upset stomach.
Chicken Soup
Often regarded as Grandma’s cure, it may be more of a help
for the common cold in many ways. For
example, inhaling the steam can ease a stuffy nose; and sipping spoonfuls of
the liquid replace lost fluids.
Hot Tea
Hot tea gives the same perks as chicken soup. Breathing the steam helps relieves congestion
and swallowing the fluid helps soothe your throat and keep you hydrated. Black and green teas have an added benefit
for fighting the cold with anti-oxidants to stave off symptoms.
Hot Toddy
This adult drink is an age-old night-time remedy for the
cold. If you don’t drink black tea
because of the caffeine before bed, you can make a cup of herbal tea and add a
teaspoon of honey, small shot of whiskey or bourbon and a squeeze of
lemon. The mixture helps ease congestion
and soothe your throat which may help you sleep.
Garlic
Long known as a germ fighter, studies show that garlic
supplements help prevent colds if taken daily.
Although more research is needed to figure the real effects of
garlic. Full of nutrients, in food form,
it can spice up meals and help make food taste better due to a stuffy nose.
Steam/Humidifier
Using a humidifier to breath in steam helps break congestion
in the nose and give relief for a runny or stuffy nose. For a heavy dose of steam—use a room
humidifier or sit in a bathroom with the door shut and a hot shower running.
Saline Drops
By dripping or spraying saltwater into the nose thins and
rids the nose of gunk and makes it less stuffy.
There are over-the-counter saline drops or you can make your own by
mixing 8 ounces of warm water, ¼ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoons of baking
soda. Using a bulb syringe, squirt the
liquid in one nostril while holding the other closed. Repeat steps 2 -3 times and then do the same
in the other side.
Neti Pot
Using the same do-it-yourself saline solution as mentioned
above and the neti pot, this gadget can flush out the nasal passages with
saltwater solution, resulting in thinner mucus that drains easily. Research shows that the neti pot may relief
the symptoms of congestion, pressure, and facial pain, particularly for those
with ongoing, chronic sinus troubles.
Menthol Ointment
Wiping or blowing the nose leaves the skin around the nose
sore and irritated. A simple remedy is
to dab some menthol-infused ointment under – NOT IN – the nose, chest or throat. The menthol helps relieves the pain of raw
skin. The vapors relieves cough and
opens clogged passages to ease congestion.
Menthol ointment is not recommended for children under 2 years of age.
Saltwater Gargle
To help a sore throat, gargle with warm water and a teaspoon
of salt four times daily to ease a scratchy throat and keep it moist.
Nasal Strips
These strips are worn on the bridge of the nose to open
nasal passages. They don’t rid the
stuffiness, but do create more space necessary for airflow. It also relieves night-time congestion.
Let Fever Work
The original natural remedy, the rise in temperature helps
fight colds and flu by making the body to hot for germs to live in the
body. If you’re feeling uncomfortable,
it is okay to take something to treat the fever and drink plenty of water
too. If you’re temperature spikes over
104˚F., call your doctor immediately unless it comes down quickly. For infants 3 months or younger, call a
doctor for temperatures over 100.4˚F..
children with a fever of less than 102˚F. usually require no treatment
unless they are uncomfortable.
Bed Rest
No time for this age-old remedy to get under the
blankets? Plenty of rest lets the body
direct energy in order to fight off germs.
And it allows you to stay warm to give the immune cells a leg up.
Reference
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