If you’re looking for natural cold and flu remedies, then you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve got home remedies, herbal remedies, and natural cures – plus a healthy dose of advice.
1. Frequently Blow Your Nose (and the Right Way)
When you have a cold, it’s crucial to often blow your nose rather than sneezing mucus back into your head.
However, if you blow forcefully, the pressure may force germ-laden phlegm back into your ear canals, which will hurt.
The ideal approach to blow your nose is to cover one nostril with a finger and softly blow to clear the other.
2. Understand When to Stop Treating Symptoms
Unbelievably, those bothersome symptoms you’re going through are a natural component of the healing process and a sign that the immune system is fighting an infection.
For instance, a fever is your body’s attempt to eliminate infections by making the atmosphere hotter than usual.
Additionally, the heat of a fever speeds up the circulation of your blood’s antimicrobial proteins.
Therefore, you might actually recover faster if you put up with a mild fever for a day or two.
Another beneficial symptom is coughing, which helps to empty your breathing passages of the thick mucus that can harbor germs and spread them to your lungs and other body parts.
Even treating a stuffy nose gently or not at all is preferable.
Sudafed and other decongestants block blood flow to the blood vessels in your throat and nose.
However, you frequently want to boost blood flow since it heats the sick area and aids in the removal of germs from your body through secretions.
3. Gargle
Gargling can provide momentary relief by moistening a sore throat. Four times per day, gargle with 8 ounces of warm water and a half teaspoon of salt.
Try gargling with an astringent substance to tighten the mucous membranes and lessen the tickling in your throat.
You might also gargle with a thick, viscous mixture of honey or honey and apple cider vinegar.
Two cups of boiling water should be used to brew one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or one teaspoon of lemon juice.
Before gargling, let the mixture reach room temperature.
4. Rinse Your Nose with Warm Salt Water
Salt water rinses assist clear nasal congestion and also clear germs and virus particles from the nose.
Here is a well-liked recipe:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces pure, sterilized, or previously boiled water.
- To irrigate the nose, use a nasal irrigation kit or a bulb syringe. Apply light finger pressure to keep one nostril closed while squirting the salt solution into the other nostril. Flow it out. After two to three repetitions, move on to the other nostril.
5. Stay Warm and Rested
When you initially get sick with a cold or the flu, staying warm and relaxing will help your body focus its efforts on fighting the infection. This conflict strains the body. So take a break and help it out.
6. Have a Hot Shower
Showers that are steamy can help you relax and moisten your nasal passages. Run a warm shower while you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath if the virus is making you queasy.
7. Drink Hot Liquids
Hot beverages reduce nasal congestion, keep you hydrated, and soothe your throat and nose’s uncomfortable irritated membranes. Try a hot toddy, an age-old treatment, if you’re so congested that you can’t sleep at night. Warm up some herbal tea. Add a shot (about 1 ounce) of whiskey or bourbon along with a spoonful of honey. Just one at a time. Drinking too much alcohol will irritate your membranes and worsen your symptoms.
8. Wrap Your Congested Sinuses in Hot or Cold Packs
Any temperature will do. You can make your own or purchase reusable hot or cold packs at a pharmacy. If you want to apply heat, microwave a moist towel for 55 seconds (test the temperature first to make sure it’s not too hot). As a cold pack, a small bag of frozen peas works wonderfully.
9. Apply Salve Under Nose
The inflamed skin at the base of the nose can be soothed and breathing channels opened with a tiny dab of mentholated salve.
Camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol all offer minor numbing properties that could ease the discomfort of a raw nose.
To avoid getting it inside your nose, only apply it to the outside and under your nose.
10. Place an Additional Pillow Under Your Head
When you sleep, elevating your head might help clear stuffy nasal passages.
In order to make a more gentle slope, try putting pillows between the mattress and the box springs if the angle is too difficult.
11. Eat Foods That Fight Infections
Here are some nutritious things to eat if you have a cold or flu:
- Rice and bananas to calm an upset stomach and stop diarrhea.
- Foods rich in vitamin C, such as bell peppers.
- Carrots, which contain beta-carotene.
- Blueberries curb diarrhea and are high in natural aspirin, which may lower fevers and help with aches and pains.
- Chili peppers may help break up lung mucous and open the sinuses.
- Cranberries may aid in preventing bacteria from adhering to the cells lining the urinary system and bladder.
- Horseradish or mustard may aid in clearing mucus from the airways.
- Black and green tea contain catechin, a phytochemical purported to have natural antibiotic and anti-diarrhea effects.
- Onions include phytochemicals that are said to aid in the body’s ability to fight off infections like bronchitis.
Remember that certain dangerous diseases, including bronchitis, meningitis, strep throat, asthma, and sinus infections, can look like the symptoms of the common cold. Call your doctor if your symptoms are severe or don’t appear to be improving.
Last Updated on 1 year by Evan White