Natural Remedies For The Flu

Flu symptoms can go away on their own within 7 to 10 days, following the below natural remedies can make you feel better in the meantime. Although there is no cure for the flu, you can take remedies to lessen the symptoms of the flu. There are over-the-counter medications that you could take but then you might have side effects such as feeling drowsy after taking them. You can take natural remedies to help relieve the symptoms of the flu without side effects.

One thing you can do is to flow your nose often if you are having drainage. Try not to blow your nose too hard because you could cause pressure that may lead to an earache. Whenever you blow your nose, wash your hands afterwards with warm water and soap.

Another way to speed up the recovery from the flu is to get plenty of rest. When you rest, you conserve energy and your body can then use that energy instead to heal your body from the flu.

Gargle:

Step one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two cups of hot water. You can mix in one teaspoon of honey. Cool down the mixture to room temperature and then gargle. Do not give honey to anyone younger than 18 months.

Stuffy Nose:

Hot liquids help to relieve congested sinus passages, which are common with the flu, so drink plenty of tea, broth and soup. These liquids also help to prevent dehydration and sooth inflamed membranes of the nose and throat.

If you are having difficulty breathing when you have the flu, take a steamy shower. You can also use a mentholated salve under your nose, which will help to open your nasal passageways and make it easer to breathe. The menthol, eucalyptus or camphor that are often ingredients in mentholated salve also can bring relief to raw skin under the nose from too much blowing of the nose.

Homeopathic Medicine:

Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic medicine used to treat symptoms of the flu such as fever, chills, body aches and pains. There are no side effects, no drug interactions, and oscillococcinum does not make you drowsy. It comes in quick dissolving pellets that you dissolve in your mouth. Oscillococcinum reduces the duration and the severity of flu symptoms. Oscillococcinum is safe for children age 2 and up and adults to take one tube every 6 hours, up to 3 times a day (check with your doctor for proper dosage for children). If you desire to use this remedy for kids under age 2 see your homeopathic doctor for instructions.

You should call a doctor is the flu symptoms do not improve or if the flu get worse. If a cough worsens or produces yellow, green, or blood-colored mucus, there is a persistent fever, ear pain, sore throat, sinus pain, or a productive cough; the individual should see a doctor.