Natural Remedies For Colds and Flu

Winter brings dismal weather, dark mornings and dark evenings, you go out to work in the dark and return home after a hard day in the dark, only seeing the light of day at weekends if the weather is not overcast and of course to add to the misery of winter cold and flu bugs are rife making you feel as miserable as the weather outside your window.

Coughing and sneezing, sore joints, sore head, sweating and feeling cold at the same time, when you talk your voice comes out as a squeak.

The main problem with Colds and Flu is that although there are many products on the market to ease the symptoms,there isn't actually a cure.

The Common cold has many forms and the symptoms vary from person to person, the most common symptoms can include a Blocked or runny nose, sneezing, coughing, raspy throat, hoarseness, headaches, a feeling of tiredness and stiff joints.

The common cold can last anything between 24 hours and ten days.

Symptoms of Flu

Flu or Influenza is more debillitating than the common cold and although some of the symptoms are similar the flu can be deadly in older people, babies and people who are already weakend by a Previous illness.

Some typical Flu symptoms include Fever usualy 100-103 F in adults and it can be even higher in children.

Stuffed or runny nose, coughing, sneezing, headaches, muscleache and extreme fatigue, other symtoms can include sickness and diarrhea.

Flu normally runs its course between one and two weeks but in the elderly or infirm as stated earlier flu can lead to more serious conditions such as pneumonia.

If you walk into any Pharmacy looking for a cure for the common cold or flu you will find yourself slightly perplexed as there are a multitude of remedies to suit every symptom, but altough these products do a good job they only deal with one or two of the symptoms, leaving the pharmacy you find that you have bought five or six different products spending around $40.00, This can pose an even more serious problem because when you read the list of ingredients in each product you find that most of them contain Paracetemol which although an effective pain killer, can kill if too much is taken.

Natural Remedies

There is no cure for The Common Cold or for The Flu, but there are many ways that you can use to ease the symptoms of each without the use of chemicals, Natural remedies are just as or even more effective than those that you buy at the pharmacy but you can make them yourself and save a few dollars in the process.

Honey and Lemon Drink

Boiling the kettle and filling a cup with boiling water and adding a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of lemon juice is one of the most popular and widely used methods.

Honey and lemon help to relieve a sore throat and coughs. as honey is sticky it is believed that it leaves a light coating in your throat which helps to ease the friction of coughing and reduces the raspiness in a sore throat making it easier to swallow. the lemon in the drink Is said to break up Phlem in the throat and nasal passages clearing your throat easing coughing and pain.

Taking a honey and lemon drink 3 times a day and especially around an hour before you go to bed should help you through the day and night.

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas can be very expensive but very effective in easing the symptoms of colds and flu but you can make your own if money is tight, make your cup of tea as normal but don't add milk. a pinch of sage and a pinch of thyme to help ease the symptoms of coughing and a sore throat.

The sage acts as an antisceptic which kills germs and the Thyme inhibits the growth of microbes which thrive when you have a cold or flu, allow steeping for 30 minutes. Drink warm. This tea is good for soothing coughs, sore throats and tonsils, whilst also killing germs.

Water

Water or to be more exact Ice is a good way to relieve the pain of a sore throat, if you prefer you can add a little orange juice or lemon juice to the water before you put it in the freezer to give it more flavour.

As part of the treatment in Hospital when you have your tonsils removed Ice is given to patients to help in pain relief.

Salt and Water

A teaspoon of salt added to a glass of water is another way to help a sore throat or a cough, do not drink it though, gargle in your mouth for around 30 seconds, this helps to break up Phlem easing the raspiness of coughing and throat pain.

Boiling the kettle and pouring the water into a mixing bowl adding a dash of eucalyptus oil and Menthol essential oils is a great remedy to clear the sinuses, put a dry towel over your head, lean toward the bowl and put the towel around the outside of the bowl, Breath in as deep as possible through your nose and breath out through your mouth.

The eucalyptus oil and the menthol are a fast and effective method of clearing your sinuses.

 The herb rosemary has been found valuable in easing headaches resulting from a Cold or Flu. A handful of this herb should be boiled in a litre of water and put in a mug. The head should be covered with a towel and the steam inhaled for as long as the patient can bear. This should be repeated till the headache is relieved.

you could also add rosemary to the eucalyptus and menthol essential oils above to clear blocked sinuses and relieve your headache at the same time.

Peppermint Massage

To relieve headache pressure and pain caused by sinus congestion have someone gently massage your shoulders and the back of your neck. This treatment often unblocks congestion in the sinuses. Massage combined drops of peppermint oil and wintergreen oil into the temples and nape of the neck to relieve tension. Massage sinus region of the face to relieve sinus headaches.

The most natural remedy for colds and Flu is to take plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids, keeping warm and cosy. when we suffer from Colds and Flu our bodies naturally crave warmth, rest and fluids and by ignoring our bodies messages we prolonge the life of the virus.