Fighting Colds And Flu The Natural Way

The average person catches between 2 to 4 colds a year and will come down with flu at least once a year. With no cure in sight for colds or flu, current treatments can relieve symptoms or shorten the duration of those symptoms. You can take a variety of medications that may help relieve your symptoms or you can take the natural approach.

Here are a few tips and hints that can help you take better care of yourself naturally once those winter aches and pains have taken hold of you.

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8 Tips to keep colds and flu at bay

1. Blow your nose often
Blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. This helps clear congestion and also helps remove germs from your system.

2. Stay rested
Resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy to strengthen your immune system.

3. Gargle
Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times daily. Or use a thick, viscous gargle made with honey. Steep one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two cups of hot water; mix with one teaspoon of honey. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before gargling.

4. Drink hot liquids
Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, help prevent dehydration, and can soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat.

5. Take a steamy shower
Steamy showers moisturise your nasal passages and relax you. If you're dizzy from flu, run a steamy shower while you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath. A steam inhalation with eucalyptus oil may also help to symptoms from colds and flu. It is thought to work by thinning mucus in the respiratory tract.

6. Use a salve under your nose
A small dab of mentholated salve under your nose can open breathing passages and help soothe the irritated skin at the base of the nose. Menthol, eucalyptus and camphor all have mild numbing ingredients that may help relieve the pain of a nose rubbed raw.

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7. Sleep with an extra pillow under your head
This will help with the drainage of nasal passages and will help relive the pressure in your head, which in turn will help you to breath better and sleep better.

8. Don't fly unless necessary
There's no point adding stress to your already stressed-out upper respiratory system, and that's what the change in air pressure will do. Flying with a cold or flu congestion can hurt your eardrums as a result of pressure changes during takeoff and landing.

5 Herbs and spices to ease your winter woes

1. Garlic
Studies have found that garlic has antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiprotozoal properties. Try soothing garlic soup at the first signs of a cold, or add lots of garlic to chicken soup. Go for fresh garlic - it's likely to be more effective than supplements. Safety tip: If you're on anticoagulant drugs or are scheduled for surgery, talk to your doctor before consuming large amounts of garlic.

2. Ginger
Ginger has also shown to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, so consuming it while you're sick may help knock out whatever is ailing you. Add minced fresh ginger root to soup, or blend it into a Vitamin C-rich fruit smoothie. Safety tip: If you are on anticoagulant drugs or are scheduled for surgery, talk to your doctor or registered dietician before consuming large amounts of ginger.

3. Chile Peppers
Ever get that teary-eyed, runny-nosed, throat-clearing sensation after eating chilli peppers? Next time you're miserably congested and scratchy-throated, put those peppers to work! It can easily be added to any dish or soup. Chiles appear to have anti-inflammatory properties too, so they may give you some respite if you're feeling achy.

4. Mint
Mint is a natural source of menthol, so a steaming cup of mint tea can actually help open clogged nasal passages and soothe sore throats, at least temporarily. Drinking it throughout the day may even help offset the need for dehydrating decongestants. If you're running a fever, menthol's cooling sensation may help you feel a little more comfortable. Mint is also a great stomach soother.

5. Chamomile
Feeling crummy can make it hard to sleep just when you need rest the most. This little floral herb soothes the stomach, and relaxes both mind and body. Because it has mild muscle-relaxing properties, it may help alleviate aches and pains, too. Try a cup of chamomile tea before bedtime, and get the healing rest you need.

Next week’s alert will focus on the powerful healing properties that Echinacea and Astralagus have against colds and flu.

Sources:

‘5 Top herbs and spices for winter woes’, by Miri Rotkovitz, published online, herbsspices.about.com

‘Tips to treat colds and flu the Natural way’ published online, webmd.com

‘What is Laughter Yoga?’ published online, drweil.com

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