Natural Flu Remedies to Cope-up Better

Sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, running nose, nasal congestion, headache, watery eyes, body aches, and decreased appetite are a few of the signs and symptoms that might set in when a person suffers from the common cold. Since cold is caused by a virus, an antibiotic may not be the correct treatment. The best approach to face the common cold is to resort to simple home remedies for a soothing scratchy throat or clearing stuffy running nose.

Home Remedies to Fight Cold in Natural Way

Here are 12 home remedies to help you fight cold & flu the natural way. Read below...

1. Intake Lots of Liquids & Hot Drinks

Drinking lots of water, juices, hot beverages, and homemade soups help in keeping the body hydrated, throat moist and assists in breaking congestion. Adequate hydration moisturizes the lining of the nose and throat thereby easing mucus clearance. Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks should be avoided as these may cause further dehydration.

• Hot Beverages are very comforting and provide quick relief from various cold symptoms. Sinus secretions are also loosened by drinking hot beverages. Green tea contains a lot of antioxidants thereby facilitating a speedy recovery. Chicken and vegetable soups and broths are also very healthy and aid in boosting up immunity. 
• Consume Lemon, Orange & Cranberry Juices are recommended by Doctors during cold and cough. These juices are rich in vitamins, essential nutrients, and antioxidants. They strengthen the immune system thereby enabling the patient to recover faster.
• Kadha is a homemade herbal medicine that is prepared by boiling water by adding palm candies, grated ginger, cloves, cinnamon, basil leaves, black cardamom, and whole black peppercorns. The key is to boil to such an extent that the quantity of water is reduced to half by boiling consistently. The spices act together for clearing up sinuses and exerting antiviral effects.

2. Frequent Gargling

Gargling with warm water at least three to four times a day can be very relieving. It is best to add some salt to hot water and use the solution for gargling. This soothes a sore throat and helps in clearing mucus. Gargling also prevents infections of the upper respiratory tract.

3. Using Vaporiser

Breathing in steam can be a great relief to the blocked nose. Holding head over a pot of boiling water or a vaporizer, covering oneself with a towel and breathing in some hot steam can be very comforting. This would loosen the stuffy nose and would also heal headaches.

4. Stay Relaxed & Rested

It is best to keep oneself cozy in a blanket and rest for some time. Discomforts arising out of cold may be very taxing for the body, hence it is best to take good rest. Try sleeping on a slope by using pillows so that the nasal passage is relieved and one can sleep well. Let's Know What Expert's Say in Live Chat - Tips Relief from Cold & Cough

5. Use Humidifier

A humidifier is a source of moisture to the air inside a room. It helps in keeping the nasal tissues and nose moist and prevents the discomfort of dryness.

6. Saline Drops

Saline drops may be used for clearing the nasal cavity and promoting mucus drainage.

7. Honey-based Remedies

Here are three honey-based recipes that are renowned to give immediate relief from a sore throat and cold and cough.

• Honey Ginger Preparation: A mix of ginger juice and honey should be consumed at least three times a day. This mixture helps to comfort the throat because of its inherent warmth and anti-inflammatory properties. Natural spiciness of shredded ginger or ginger paste helps in clearing nasal passage congestion and honey with its antiviral properties helps in healing.
• Honey and Cinnamon Powder: Intake of a mixture of honey and cinnamon powder can be a great relief to a sore throat. The antioxidants of honey help in strengthening the immunity system thereby fighting against viruses or bacteria causing cold.
• Honey and Fenugreek Seeds (methi dana): A mixture prepared by boiling fenugreek seeds in water, straining the liquid, mixing it with honey and consuming it a couple of times may be very helpful. Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of this common household ingredient prove to be extremely beneficial.

8. Turmeric Milk for Relief

A glass of milk boiled with a teaspoon of turmeric should be consumed at night before sleeping. Consumption of turmeric milk is an excellent home remedy to get rid of the common cold. Curcumin component present in turmeric possesses antioxidant and antibiotic properties

9. Baking Soda Mixed with Water

A mixture of half a teaspoon of baking soda and a glass of water should be consumed at least two times a day. This component helps by restoring the PH balance of body fluids thereby creating an environment in which a virus cannot survive.

10. Apple Cedar Vinegar mixed with Lukewarm

Add apple cedar vinegar to a glass of warm water and drink this mixture two to three times a day. Apple cedar vinegar helps in restoring PH levels thereby creating an environment in which a virus cannot survive

11. Placing Palm Candy in the Mouth 

Palm candies may be kept in the mouth and sucked upon. This helps in controlling acute cough and soothes the throat

12. A Cup of Yogurt

It is a general belief that yogurt should not be consumed while suffering from the flu. Inflammation in the body can be reduced by the probiotics present in yogurt

Above are few home remedies along with a healthy nutritious diet that would help one to recover faster. Happy winter!