Flu is considered a difficult problem by doctors and patients as well because allopathic medicines seem helpless against it. They only tend to stop the complications from happening but do little to reduce a person’s suffering or to cure the problem early. When you feel an oncoming Flu, try these natural remedies instead:
1) Vitamin C : Increase your intake of Amla, lemons and other citrus fruits to get enough Vitamin C. Please make sure that these fruits are eaten in the natural form without cooking or preserving them as Vitamin C gets destroyed very fast on cooking or exposure to air.
2) Steaming Chicken soup: Grandma was right after all. A steaming soup will ease up nasal congestion because of steam inhalation and fluid portion will correct dehydration. Also Chicken stock has some anti inflammatory properties which reduces the swelling inside the breathing passages. Sipping hot green tea has the same effect as well.
3) Hot Toddy : This is one tip whisky drinkers are bound to love. Mix one small shot of whisky, squeeze a dash of lime and a tea spoon of honey. Restrict to one small drink before bed time as too much alcohol can disrupt sleep and cause rebound congestion the next morning.
4) Garlic: Garlic has natural flu fighting chemicals. Use plenty in your soups or vegetables when you are feeling low. Garlic pearls are also available commercially but may not be as effective as natural garlic.
5) Steam: it helps to open the congested nasal passages and should be taken for at least 15 minutes at one time. One can use a room humidifier to keep the moisture levels in the room high and has the effect of preventing the dryness and further damage of nasal passages.
6) Saline drops : put one drop in each nose 2-3 times a day to clear off the mucus in the nose. You can make your own saline drops by mixing one fourth teaspoon salt and baking soda in a glass of water or use the ones available commercially in the market.
7) Yoga: Nasal irrigation by Neti pot and breathing exercises also go a long way to help in breathing easy. If you find it difficult to breathe from nose, one can use standard Menthol rubs (Vicks) before starting.