It's no wonder natural flu and cold remedies are popular --
modern medicine has yet to offer a cure for these age-old illnesses. While a
few medications can prevent and shorten the flu's time period, a few
medications just offer temporary relief of symptoms. Numerous natural remedies
provide temporary relief too, and a few may actually help you get better. See
which flu and cold remedies show the most promise.
Echinacea
Echinacea is an herbal supplement that is believed to boost
the safe system to help fight infections. In any case, it’s unclear whether
this boost helps fight off colds. Most evidence shows echinacea does not help
prevent a cold, however some research shows it reduction symptoms by a day or
two. Others show it has no impact. To attempt it, take echinacea when symptoms
start and proceed for seven to ten days. If you have a medical condition or
take medication, check with your doctor before taking any supplement.
Zinc
Couple of studies show that zinc appears to have impacts
against viruses, similar the cold. There is some evidence the mineral may keep
the formation of specific proteins that cold viruses use to reproduce
themselves. While zinc doesn't appear to help prevent colds, some research
suggests it may help shorten cold symptom time period and reduce the severity
of the normal cold when taken within 24 hours of the first symptoms. The FDA
recommends against utilizing zinc nasal products for colds because of reports
of permanent loss of smell.
Vitamin
C
The cold-fighting prowess of vitamin C remains uncertain. A
few studies suggest it can help reduce the time period of cold symptoms by
around a day. In one study, participants who were exposed to great physical
anxiety and cold weather and who took vitamin C were 50% less likely to get a
cold. To help stem a cold, 2,000 MLs seems to work best, however this high dose
may cause stomach upset and diarrhea.
Chicken
Soup
Grandma was onto something. Chicken soup might help cold
symptoms in more than one way. Inhaling the steam can ease nasal blockage.
Sipping spoonfuls of fluid can help avoid dehydration. And couple of advocates
say the soup may soothe inflammation. Analysts have found chicken soup has
anti-inflammatory properties in the lab, though it's unclear whether this
impact translates to real-world colds.
Hot Tea
Drinking hot tea offers some of the same advantages as
chicken soup. Inhaling the steam relieves blockage, while swallowing the fluid
soothes the throat and keeps you hydrated. Green and black teas have the added
bonus of being loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants, which may fight
colds.
Hot
Toddy
The hot toddy is an age-old evening cold remedy. Since you
won't want to drink black tea before bed, make a cup of hot herbal tea. Include
a teaspoon of honey, a small shot of bourbon or whiskey, and a squeeze of
lemon. This blend may ease blockage, soothe the throat and help you sleep.
Limit yourself to one hot toddy. A lot of alcohol can disturb sleep.
Garlic
Garlic has long been touted for fabulous germ-fighting abilities.
One study showed garlic supplements may help prevent colds when taken every
day. In any case, more research is needed to determine garlic’s real impacts.
But garlic is exceptionally nutritious. Furthermore, it can help spice up your
meals when a stuffy nose makes everything taste flat.
Steam/Humidifier
For a overweight dose of steam, utilize a room humidifier --
or essentially sit in the bathroom with the door close and a hot shower
running. Breathing in steam can break up congestion in the nasal entries,
offering relief from a stuffy or runny nose.
Saline
Drops
Dripping or spraying saltwater into the nose can thin out
nasal secretions and help remove excess mucus, while decreasing congestion.Try
over-the-counter saline drops, or make your own by mixing 8 ounces of hot water
with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Utilize a bulb syringe to
squirt the blend into one nostril while holding the other one shut. Repeat 2-3
times and then do the other side.
Saltwater
Gargle
For a sore throat, the traditional saltwater gargle might
have some merit. Gargling bit hot water with a teaspoon of salt four times
every day may help keep a scratchy throat moist.
