Natural Flu Remedies that Work

When your head throbs, your throat is on fire, and your body feels like you have been repeatedly hit by an armored truck, it is difficult to think up an effective strategy to get rid of your cold. With countless cold medicines at your pharmacy, and tons of advice urging you to drink an array of brews ranging from chicken soup to unorthodox concoctions involving turmeric and pepper, things get even more complicated. Below is a guide that marries age old natural remedies with scientific studies that will help you determine what really works against your cold.

Step 1 Know your enemy

Even though there are just three main types of influenza (namely influenza A,B, and C), they have an unlimited ability to mutate into so many forms that so far, it is has been impossible to create a vaccine to eradicate this recurrent epidemic. In addition since the flu is a viral infection, and antibiotics do not kill viruses, once you have been bitten by the flu bug, all you can do is deal with the symptoms and hope for a speedy recovery.

Step 2 Know the truth behind over the counter cold medication

Nonprescription decongestants and pain relievers won't prevent a cold or shorten its duration. Most decongestants have side effects and if used for more than a few days, they can actually make symptoms worse. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that parents avoid such cold medicines for children younger than age 2. In addition high doses of medicines with acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage and it is common for people to take a cocktail of flu medications that can lead to a drug overdose. *1

Step 3 If you opt for alternative medicine use your common sense.

Every family has it's traditional remedy that claims to cure hard hitting colds in no time, but keep in mind that your system is already weakened and your aim is to get well, not make your friend or relative happy.

Step 4 Choose the remedies that work for your symptoms

• According to Charles B. Inlander, president of The People's Medical Society, drinking hot liquids relieves painful nasal congestion, helps prevent dehydration, and can soothe the inflamed membranes that line your sore throat. He also recommends gargling with a table spoon of salt diluted in warm water to moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief.

• Another proven popular remedy is drinking hot water with a teaspoon of honey and a slice of lemon. Lemon and honey have naturally soothing and antiseptic properties that will calm the pain and relieve a sore throat and persistent cough. Since there are no side effects to this preparation you can drink this tea as frequently as you need it.

• The mayo clinic website advocates another popular tonic against colds - chicken soup. This century old cure acts as an anti-inflammatory by inhibiting the movement of the immune system cells that participate in the body's inflammatory response and speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose in order to relieve congestion.

• If you have aching bones, a warm shower will soothe sore muscles, help you relax and moisturize your nasal passage. If you opt for a warm bath, you can use a few drops of menthol in the water that will alleviate sinus pain and pressure.

• A good night's rest is one of the best ways to give your body its strength. Dr Inlander recommends staying rested in order to help your body direct your energy toward the immune battle. If you can't sleep at nighttry drinking a glass of warm milk and using a dab of mentholated salve under your nose to open your breathing passages and sleep better.

On a final note

Remember that your body has an inbuilt mechanism that makes you slow down when your system is taking too much abuse. Your immunity decreases as a result of too much stress and fatigue. A common cold might be your body's signal that you need to slow down your pace - at least until you recover.

Sources

^*1 "9 tips to treat cold and flu the natural way" WebMd.com

"Common cold home remedies" Home-remedies- for- you.com

"14 Home remedies for the flu."How stuff works.com

"21 remedies to beat the flu bug" Mothernature.com