Home Remedies for Influenza (Flu)

1. Honey

Honey is known to boost the immune system and help reduce symptoms of the common flu. It also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can speed up the healing process.

• Simply take one tablespoon of honey with a glass of water several times a day.
• Mix one tablespoon of honey in one cup of hot water. If you want, add a few drops of lemon juice. This soothing drink will promote mucus flow and help reduce irritation and itchiness in your throat. Drink it two or three times a day.
• Mix equal amounts of honey and onion juice. Have one teaspoons of this mixture three times a day, until the flu is gone.
• You can also combine one teaspoon of honey with the juice extracted from 10 to 15 fresh basil leaves. Take this once a day.

Note: Honey should not be given to children under age 1.
 

2. Lemon

Lemon has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that work together to weaken the flu virus in the body as well as its annoying symptoms.

• Squeeze a lemon in a glass of warm water and drink it. Do this three or four times daily until your symptoms subside.
• Add the juice of one small lemon and one tablespoon each of honey and rum to a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for a few minutes. Drink this hot lemonade twice daily for a few days.
• Put one chopped lemon (both skin and pulp) into one cup of boiling water. Let it steep for five minutes and then inhale the steam and drink this hot lemonade three or four times a day until your symptoms subside.
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