Alternative Medicine for Colds and Flus

With the winter season also comes the season of colds and flus, which are quite bothersome and uncomfortable to deal with, and even more so if you don't want to have to choose from a lot of the chemically-induced over-the-counter medicines available; which may not only not work so well, but also aren't very good for you. Fortunately there are alternative choices for fighting off these illnesses - how they work differs from person to person, but at the least (assuming you're not allergic) they won't cause you any harm.

An herb known as echinacea is one of the most popular alternative medicines for helping with a cold. Some people use it even to prevent colds altogether, but there has been no hard evidence that suggests it can actually do this. However, if taken at the start of a cold, it has shown to be affective in easing the severity of cold symptoms and even changing how long the cold lasts. Taking around 5ml of the liquid or 300mg of a supplement a few times a day during a cold can very well help the illness go away faster, or perhaps at the very least relieve your symptoms.

Teas are also a great alternative "medicine" when it comes to colds - not only are they warm for the body, soothing to sore throats, and help clear the airways, but generally they also tend to be pretty healthy for you. Green and black teas especially are great for fighting off a cold. Full of antioxidants, they work on depleting the bad substances that are produced by your cells. In this, it's one of the most effective remedies you can take during a cold - much more than anything that vitamin C can do.

Ginger has also shown to provide some ease for colds, but where it really works well are flus - especially if you have a flu consisting of stomach pains or diarrhea. It is a great herb for relieving these ailments along with easing the sick or nauseous feelings you may have. Along with providing relief for the feelings that accompany a flu, ginger is also full of antiviral, antibacterial and antiparasitic properties that don't just make you feel better, but also help battle off the germs that your body is fighting. This is why it can be good for colds and flus, but the fact that it helps with stomach and gastrointestinal issues as well makes this a best choice for a flu. It's also really easy and versatile to consume - it comes in capsules, teas, and even plain where you can add to your meals or even eat in small pieces by itself.

Black elderberry is also good alternative choice for easing the symptoms that accompany a flu. It has been used for ages in places all over the world for many different ailments, influenza being just one of them. This is because it includes medicinal properties such as flavonoids and antioxidants, which ease pain and sick feelings, along with repairing and protecting the cells. In this it helps fight off flu germs in a natural, harmless way. It can be taken in the form of a syrup or a tea made from a teaspoon of the dried flowers.