Home Remedies for the Flu

Listed below are home remedies for the flu. But if your flu is accompanied by high fever that has lasted more than 72 hours or if your persistent cough is getting worse, you should see a doctor instead of using this list of natural flu treatment.

The flu or influenza is a viral infection caused by the flu virus. The normal symptoms of the flu include a high fever and severe chills, dry cough, fatigue, sore throat and the loss of appetite. You may also experience aches and pain in your joints.

Home remedies for the flu No. 1 - Apple cider vinegar

It is believed that Hippocrates has used apple cider vinegar as a health tonic. But it was D.C. Jarvis, M.D. who made it popular in his book called Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor's Guide to Good Health. He stated that apple cider vinegar is the "cure all."

The best time to take apple cider vinegar is when you notice the first sign of the flu. The acidity and active compounds in the vinegar will help strengthen your immune system and prevent the influenza virus from attacking. But if you have already been hit by the flu virus, you should still take it to shorten the duration of the symptoms.

A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with water about 3 times a day is the suggested dosage. You can also add honey to it. Although you can opt for apple cider vinegar capsules or tablets, the raw, unfiltered vinegar with the "mother" is still the better choice.

Home remedies for the flu No. 2 - Grapefruit seed extract

Grapefruit seed extract has antibacterial, antibiotic, antiviral, anti fungal, antioxidant and antiparasitic properties. Taking grapefruit seed extract will alkalize your body's fluid by raising the PH which will disable the flu virus to survive.

If you want to make your own grapefruit seed juice, get a pink grapefruit and extract the liquid from the seed, pulp and white membrane. Otherwise, buy the extract which is available in capsules, liquid extract and tablets. If you are using the liquid extract, put about 15 drops into a glass of orange juice and drink it.

Home remedies for the flu No. 3 - Steam inhalation

Another way to use grapefruit seed extract for flu relief is to inhale the steam if you choose not to use a nasal spray that contains the fruit extract. Put a few drops of the extract into a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam. Other than grapefruit seed extract, you can also use eucalyptus oil, fresh ginger root, 3% hydrogen peroxide, oil of oregano, olive leaf extract, tea tree oil or vicks vaporub.

Home remedies for the flu No. 4 - Herbal remedies

1. Herbs have been used since ancient times as flu treatment. Echinacea is one of them. Echinacea has the ability to increase interferons which will attack the influenza virus and also prevent them from multiplying.
   
   
   
2. Black elderberry is another herb that is popular as a natural flu remedy. A study published in the journal of alternative complementary medicine reported that a controlled study done on patients showed that black elderberry was effective in treating influenza B.
   
   
   
3. Garlic has antibacterial, anti viral and anti fungal properties. Once you notice the symptoms of the flu, eat or chew fresh garlic. It isn't yummy but garlic has many medicinal uses and provides healing effects.
   
   
   
4. A study done at a university of Japan led by Dr. Hiroshi Ochiai found that ginger has the ability to fight the influenza virus as well as strengthening the immune system.
   
   
   
5. Mullein is another herb for flu home remedies. Research found that mullein has the potential to treat viral infections.
   
   
   
6. If you wish to find relief from your aches and pains that accompany your flu, take white willow bark extract. It is a natural pain relief medication.

Home remedies for the flu No. 5 - Rest and rehydrate

Take a good rest, drink lots of nonalcoholic and decaffeinated liquid and eat some warm soup or broth. Drinking coconut water is recommended since the young and green fruit juice contains electrolytes and other nutrients such as carbohydrates, dietary fiber, most of the B vitamins and natural sugar which you aren't getting because you've lost your appetite and not eating well. It will help you improve your energy level and overcome the feeling of fatigue.

Flu Prevention

Strengthening your immune system is one of the best ways to prevent the flu. The following herbs may help.

1. Cat's claw is referred by some herbalist as the miracle herb.
   
   
   
2. Goldenseal root may help prevent flu naturally.
   
   
   
3. The Flax Council of Canada published an article which stated that flaxseed has the ability to influence the immune response and boost the immune system.
   
   
   
4. Astragalus root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries for enhancing the immune response.
   
   
   
5. Ginseng may help enhance your body's response to flu vaccines.

Eating foods that contain the following vitamins and minerals will also aid your body to fight off infections and boost your immune system.

1. Vitamin A - Liver, meat, eggs, broccoli, carrots, sweet potato are rich in vitamin A.
   
   
   
2. Vitamin B - Poultry, green vegetables, tuna, wheat bran, bananas and cheese are some of the sources of the B vitamins.
   
   
   
3. Vitamin C - An example is elderberry which may help prevent colds and flu. The active compounds in elderberry help the immune system by providing additional amounts of vitamin C.
   
   
   
4. Zinc - Food that is high in zinc is oysters. Others include almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and wheat germ cereal.

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