It’s that time of the year again. Everyone is coming down with the flu and it’s finally made it’s way to your body. In fact, you’re probably trying to suppress those fever chills, the constant sneezing, and the fatigue as you’re reading this article.
Despite that nasty sickness you are dealing with, however, you’re in luck. This article is going to take you through 10 of the best, natural remedies that you can use from the comfort of your home to combat the flu.
Are you ready to start feeling better?
Yes!? Then let’s bring on the natural flu remedies!
1. Kick-Start Your Immune System With Water and Other Liquids
If you want to overcome any illness, you are going to need to stay properly hydrated. Why? Fluids help to flush viruses and bacteria out of our system. They will also keep us hydrated when we’re rapidly losing fluids from vomiting or from fever-related sweating.
As always, water is the most important fluid to be drinking while you are battling the flu. Some other liquids include chicken broth, green and black tea, and herbal teas designed to boost the immune system and reduce the severity of your symptoms.
2. Get Better Quicker By Accepting Your Sickness
We’re all taught that we can ignore our illnesses and work through our symptoms. This flu won’t take me down. I’m going to pump myself full of medication, pretend that nothing is wrong, and go have an amazing day at (insert your chosen activity here).
While it is great to have this type of mindset, it is not so healthy for your body. Pushing yourself to move and work when you have the flu will only delay the healing process and open you up to symptoms that may be worse than the ones you are currently experiencing.
Grab a blanket, get comfortable, and do something that makes you happy. The world will still be there when you are ready to return.
3. Boost Your Immune System By Eating an Orange
It’s no secret that vitamin C is helpful. After all, you can’t go on any health website without seeing a vitamin C recommendation somewhere.
It is highly recommended that you try to eat foods that contain vitamin C rather than taking supplements. Obviously, the orange is the go-to fruit for vitamin C.
However, you can also find vitamin C in fruits and vegetables such as red bell peppers, broccoli, and cherries.
4. Fight Your Flu Symptoms With Oregano Oil
This next natural remedy may be sitting in your kitchen at this moment. Surprisingly enough, one highly suggested remedy for the flu is oregano oil.
According to an article on ABC News, oregano oil has been proven in small lab studies to contain antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties.
In order to reap the flu-fighting benefits of this oil, all you have to do is add between 3 to 30 drops of oregano oil to a glass of water, swish it around your mouth, and swallow it four times each day.
5. Use Essential Oils to Target Specific Flu Symptoms
Essential oils are the perfect remedies for those who don’t want to keep swallowing medication in order to deal with their symptoms. They can be added to baths, to body lotions or creams, and even to boiling water to give you the benefits that you need.
Some of the most popular oils that are used for fighting the flu include eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, and thieves oil. While these are only a few suggestions, you can discover more suggestions and instructions on how to properly use essential oils on this mega post we wrote here.
Make sure that you do your research before you use any type of essential oil. Some oils are not safe to ingest or put on the skin and doing so can give you more problems than you are already dealing with.
There are plenty of guides online that will give in-depth information on what a specific oil can accomplish and how to use it properly.
6. Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Fight the Flu and Respiratory Problems
Usually, websites do not recommend hydrogen peroxide as a remedy because it is not safe to ingest.
However, this website does not recommend that you ingest it. It recommends that you pour a few drops of the solution into your ear each day until the peroxide no longer bubbles.
Interesting, huh? You can read more about the reason why this works on Dr. Doug Willen’s website.
7. Take Probiotics to Improve Gut Health and Boost Immune System
Probiotics are a type of bacteria that are beneficial to your gut and to your immune system. Out of all of the probiotics, the ones that are known to be the most beneficial for you are known as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Although probiotics are more helpful before the flu they can still be taken while you have the flu. However, you need to make sure that you take more probiotics in order to counteract the effects of nausea or diarrhea.
8. Ingest Zinc Products, Which Are Known to Shorten the Duration of Your Flu
If you’re already ingesting vitamin C, you may want to consider doubling up on your flu-battling regimen by taking Zinc as well. Zinc improves the immune system, is known to have antiviral effects, and is typically added to medications designed to lessen the severity of your symptoms and the length of your flu.
While this is definitely an amazing supplement, too much of it can be harmful to your body and many medications may not give you the benefits you need to battle your flu.
Always seek out the most recommended supplement and follow the directions carefully.
9. Get Outside and Soak Up the Sun to Improve Your Flu Defenses
Not receiving enough vitamin D may be one of the reasons why you were susceptible to the flu virus in the first place. Besides strengthening your immune system, vitamin D is also said to be an antimicrobial agent.
The best way to get vitamin D is to get out in the sun for at least 15 minutes each day. If this is not possible for you, you can take vitamin D supplements to receive similar benefits.
10. Eat Garlic if You Want to Kill Your Flu Symptoms
According to a quote by Clinical Herbalist Steve Siestos on the Reader’s Digest website, “When you have yellow or green phlegm, reach for that garlic. It’s highly anti-viral, immune stimulating, and it’ll kill any upper respiratory infections.”
Siestos says that a great way to use garlic is to spread it with olive oil and a piece of bread and eat it.
Final Thoughts
The most important thing to remember is that these remedies will only work if you stick with them. You can’t expect to beat the flu if you only use essential oils once or take vitamin C supplements for a day.
You must use these suggestions religiously if you intend on getting better soon.
You must also remember that there are some illnesses that cannot be treated with natural supplements. If you feel as though your symptoms are not getting any better, visit a medical health professional to receive treatment.
Are you interested in learning about more natural flu remedies? I highly recommend that you start with this video by Dr. Axe and work your way from there!
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