Herbal Remedies & Natural Ways to Fight the Flu

No one likes to get the flu, but thankfully there are many options for flu treatment at home.  Most of these options are quite natural and perfect for anyone suffering from a mild case of influenza.  Of course the first step in getting better is simply taking some time out and resting.  You should also stay home from work or school so that you don’t spread the illness to other people.

Flu Treatment at Home: Symptoms

Of course it does help to know what the symptoms of the flu are before you know whether you need treatment for it.

Here are the symptoms you may be experiencing if you have the flu:

• Fever
• Chills
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Body aches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat

The flu will generally clear up by itself within seven days.  In the meantime, there are a number of home treatments for the flu that can help ease your symptoms.

Flu Treatment at Home: The Basics

Other than resting, the second most important thing is to make sure that you get plenty of fluids.  The flu can be very dehydrating, so you need to keep replacing those fluids so that your body can heal itself.  A humidifier can also help ease flu symptoms and keep your skin hydrated.  It can also keep the virus from spreading.

Another natural way to find relief and banish the flu faster is with heat.  You run a fever because that’s your body’s way of fighting off disease.  Try a contrast shower by alternating cold and hot water.  Just be sure that the hot water intervals last longer than the cold ones and rest afterward to let your body heal.

Other Home Treatments for the Flu

There are a number of herbal treatments and vitamins that can also help.  For that cough, try zinc throat drops, which not only sooth a sore throat, but also help give your immune system a boost.  In addition to zinc, these herbs can also help boost your immune system:

• Elderberry
• Echinacea
• Catnip
• Peppermint
• Sage
• Lemon

Taking garlic in capsule form can help slow down the growth of the flu virus, and vitamin C can increase your white blood cell count naturally so that your body can repair itself.

Make a tea for yourself to help soothe your sore throat and relief the symptoms without masking them in a way that just makes the disease last longer.  Try:

• One cup of water, boiling
• One teaspoon of bayberry bark
• On teaspoon of cayenne powder

Cat’s claw has been shown to shorten the length of the illness.  If you’re having trouble breathing because of nasal congestion, try a saline rinse, which will also get rid of disease-causing particles inside your nose.  Also try goldenseal, which is a natural antiviral agent.