Flu

An illness caused by a virus, the flu tends to come on suddenly, but with a fury. 

Common symptoms of Influenza are fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, cough, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Most people recover from the flu without problems, but sometimes a secondary bacterial infection such as, an ear infection, sinus infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia, will occur.

Home Remedies for Flu:

Influenza Prevention Techniques:

Immunizations and nasal sprays that prevent the flu are available, and though it does not always prevent the flu, they do generally reduce the symptoms, and lessen recuperative time if you get the flu.

One of the best preventive measures against getting the flu is frequent hand washing with a good antibacterial soap.

Tea:

If you get the flu, you can expect a recuperative time of seven to ten days. Get plenty of bed rest, and stay away from other people, to avoid spreading the flu.

Drink plenty of fluids to insure that you do not become dehydrated. Plenty of fluids also tend to thin mucus and ease a scratchy throat.

Good choices are hot tea with lemon, hot lemon and honey, soups, chamomile tea with honey and lemon. Spearmint and Peppermint teas are also soothing to the throat. Take over the counter medications to control fever, such as ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. Willow or birch bark tree tea has long been used to bring down fever.

Nose Sprays:

Saline nasal sprays and expectorants help with keeping the upper respiratory tract congestion loose and flowing.

Green Tea:

Green tea is a natural immune system booster. Taken in capsule form or as drunk as a tea, green tea is a powerful antiviral and anti-bacterial agent that works well for those suffering from the flu.

Black Elderberry Extract:

Black Elderberry Extract is a long used remedy to ward off colds and flu. Available in lozenges, syrup, or capsules at your health food store, they are a natural antiviral herbal preventative.

Olive Leaf Extract:

Olive leaf extract is a known antiviral and antibiotic agent. Taken in doses of 500 to 1000 mg, it is available in both liquid and capsule form.

Garlic:

Garlic has been used for centuries as a natural antibiotic and antiviral medication.

Garlic is available in pill and odorless forms, but some nutritionists believe that the odorless forms have had the active ingredient removed, and recommend real garlic or capsules in which the odor has not been removed.

Enteric coated garlic is sometimes better, because the coating takes the garlic deeper into your digestive tract to more effectively fight the flu. The enteric formula does not affect your breath either.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is known as an immune system booster, and tests show that vitamin c does have beneficial effects on those with the flu.