25 Home Remedies To Treat Cold And Flu

Flu and Cold are two different diseases. Cold symptoms usually are a sore throat, runny nose, and cough which usually go away in 5-6 days.

While symptoms of Flu are Fever, headache, muscle aches, soreness, congestion, and cough which can stay for more than a week.

If you need any assistance or have a question about Cold And Flu, you can consult our HearingSol experts with your problem, feel free to call us on +91-9327901950. We are always here to help you.

Flu viruses enter our body through the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, or mouth. Viruses of cold also enter in the same way.

Cold weather doesn’t make you ill, but the winter season absolutely makes you more effective in catching a bad cold.

Sometimes, bacteria and viruses spread out more quickly in the environment when you touch something. A drop in temperature leaves your mucous membranes dry can lead to infection.

This requires a lot of money on medical treatment to cure it.

To minimize these expenses, most people find a way to protect themselves from the illness within 7-10 days without taking any medicine.

Some of the things that may get you relief against the illness are as follows:-

• The rest should be proper.
• Drinking lots of water and other non – alcoholic fluid to avoid Dehydration.
• Eating a healthy diet along with lots of fruits and green vegetables for better health.
• Avoid Cigarette Smoke or any alcoholic beverages if possible.
• Keep the air moist with a humidifier to protect the throat and nose from discomfort.

Now we will discuss the remedies in detail to treat Cold and Flu.

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Home Remedies for Cold And Flu

1. Ginger

Ginger is widely used as an ingredient in traditional medicine. It helps to provide relief from various health-related issues.

When you suffer from cold and flu illness, having a cup or two of ginger tea can give you a cure and may as well, help you recover immediately.

Usually, black tea with ginger is more considered as it can give you relief from cold and make your body hot.

2. Chicken Soup

Chicken soup may not be a perfect cure but it is a great choice when you are sick.

Research suggests that drinking a bowl of chicken soup with vegetables can slow the movements of neutrophils in our bodies.

Neutrophils involve in the protection of our body from infections. When they are moving slowly, they stay more focused on the areas of our body that require the most healing.

3. Honey

Honey includes a variety of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It is an effective cough suppressant too.

Drinking honey with lemon in the tea can ease sore throat pain. Research suggests that giving 10 grams of honey to your children at bedtime can reduce the severity of their symptoms.

4. Garlic

It contains the compound allicin which has antimicrobial properties.

Adding garlic to your diet can help in reducing the severity of cold symptoms. According to research, It can even help you avoid getting sick.

5. Echinacea

It is a herb that is found in the east of the rocky mountains in America. Native Americans are using this herb to treat infections for more than 400 years.

Taking Echinacea can lower your risk of developing the common cold by more than 50%. Take 1 to 2 grams of echinacea root or herb as a tea, three times daily.

6. Elderberry Syrup

It is a herb that has a long history of remedy use for Colds, Sinus infections, and Flu. In a study, it is found that five days usage of elderberry syrup is more effective than a placebo for relieving Flu symptoms.

7. Oregano Oil

Extracts of oregano have been used from ancient times as a natural remedy for colds, flu, cough, sore throat. The volatile oil in oregano has antiviral and antibacterial properties.

It is one of the best home remedies for flu as it promotes sweating, which is useful in bringing down a fever.

Put 3 to 8  drops of Oregano Oil in a tablespoon of water, swish it around your mouth for 20 to 30 seconds then swallow it. Do it 4 times a day until your symptoms go away.

8. Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps in relieving from upper respiratory tract infections and other illnesses. Limes, oranges, grapefruits, leafy greens and lemons are considered as a good source of Vitamin C.

These drinks might not clear up your cold entirely but they can help you get the vitamin c that your immune system needs.

9. Probiotics

These are the friendly bacteria that are found in your body, some foods, and supplements. They help in keeping up healthy your immune system.

It reduces the chances of upper respiratory infections. Yogurt is a delicious and nutritious source of probiotics. Yogurt is also a healthy snack that provides lots of protein and calcium.

10. Get Some Zinc Lozenges

Just like echinacea, Zinc is also effective against the common cold. Zinc in the form of lozenges can decrease the symptoms of a common cold.

11. Drink Hot Liquids

Drinking hot liquids help in relieving nasal congestion. It also helps in preventing dehydration and soothing in uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat.

12. Gargle

Gargling can bring temporary relief by moistening a sore throat. For a gargle, you need a half teaspoon of salt mixed in 8 ounces of water. Gargle it four times a day.

13. Take A Steam

Steam does not kill cold or viruses but it is a sure way to clear your stuffy nose. Steam opens up the sinuses and airways so you can breathe better. Hold your head upon a bowl of steaming hot water and breath in and out through your nose.

14. Humidity

Influenza is a Flu causing a virus that thrives and spreads more easily in a dry environment. You can reduce your exposure to this virus by creating more humidity in your home. Increased humidity can also make it easier to breathe when you are sick by reducing nasal inflammation.

15. Warm Baths

You can reduce your children’s fever by giving them a warm sponge bath. This method can also reduce cold and flu symptoms in adults.

Adding baking soda to the water can reduce body aches and adding a few drops of essential oil can also have soothing effects.

16. Sleep With An Extra Pilow

Raising your head with an extra pillow under your head will help relieve congested nasal passages. If the position is not comfortable, try putting the pillows between the mattress and the box springs.

17. Vapor Rub

Vapor rubs help in reducing the cold symptoms in children older than 2 years. By just 1 or two applications before sleeping can help open up air passages to combat congestion.

According to research, some doctors also prefer to give Vapor rub to children. Because they believe over-the-counter cold medicine can have unwanted side effects.

18. Apply Hot/Cold Packs Around Congested Sinuses

Apply hot or cold packs or washcloth around your sinuses. This helps in the softening of mucus and inner tissues which results in uncongested sinuses.

You can buy reusable packs at a drugstore. A small pack of frozen peas can also work well as a cold pack.

19. Blow Your Nose Often

When you have a cold it’s important to blow your nose regularly instead of sniffling mucus back. But don’t do it so hard as while blowing hard, its pressure can carry germ-carrying phlegm back into your ear passages which can cause an earache.

20. Treat Stuffy Nose

Cleaning the stuffy nose with salt water will help in breaking nasal congestion and also in removing virus particles and bacteria from your nose.

Get 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 8 ounces of warm water and mix it. You can choose either a bulb syringe or nasal irrigation kit to squirt water into the nose.

You can also do it by Neti pot as shown in the following video:

21. Stay Hot and Dry

Staying hot and dry doesn’t prevent colds and flu which are caused by viruses. But when we are suffering from any illness such as a cold or flu virus, staying warm and arid might minimizes the possibility that you’ll be affected like coughing and sneezing.

This happens because getting cold causes the blood vessels in the nose to narrow, and when less blood is falling in and out of the nose, cold and flu virus find it simple to multiply.

22. Wash Your Hands and Home Surfaces Properly

Good hygiene is important during the cold and flu season. Colds and flu can be spread via aerosol droplets from coughing, and by touching surfaces that infected individuals may have been in associated it with.

The virus comes to your body when you touch your nose, mouth, or eyes with infected hands. We get recover by wash your hands to avoid infection.

If washing is not possible, take a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your handbag that can be helpful.

23. Expansion in the Immune System

Balance Diet is essential to protect from illness. Eating a balanced diet provides your body with rich nutrients and vitamins it needs to support the immune system fight infection.

Eat foods such as dark green, red and yellow fruit, and vegetables. Eating a healthy diet (yellow, orange, purple, red, and green vegetables) is the best way to ensure your diet that includes all the micronutrients your immune system requires.

Foods contain healthy oils like walnuts, salmon, and kefir are also beneficial for your immune system, as is Vitamin C rich food like oranges and tomatoes.

Vitamin E and Selenium are two other immune-boosting micronutrients you should combine in your diet. Brussel Sprouts and ailments are all good sources of vitamin E and even meat and poultry are rich in selenium.

Eating a tub of yogurt daily can minimize the chance of catching a cold by 25%. Other healthy eating habits which can increase the immune system include:

• Always eat a healthy breakfast every day.
• Instead of frying, eat Grill, Steam, or Bake foods.
• Eat products ingredients with the sugar takes at a moderate level so that the balanced diet is better controlled.
• Alcohol should be limited.
• Require lots of fruits and vegetables.

24. Regular Exercise

Do exercise regularly which helps keeps you fit and boost your immune system. Exercise can expand the number of virus-killing cells in your body.

It may not prevent all infections, but it can boost up recovery and minimize the intensity of symptoms. It helps you distress which is an important part of staying healthy.

25. Avoid Crowded Area and Disordered People

Sometimes it is very difficult to judge sick people, as people who are infectious may not have any symptoms in the early stages of their illness.

Try to escape people who you know have a cold or flu, and stay away from crowded areas during flu season to minimize your chance of infection.

This is mainly important for babies in the first few months of life.

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Summary

Cold and Flu can be cured by making good habits in the day to day activities. Regular do Exercise so that the body becomes fit and finer.

Always Balance Diet should be proper and avoid alcoholic products so that we save from the critical illness. Drink lots of water every day and cover your mouth when you sneeze.

If you need any assistance or have a question about Cold And Flu, you can consult our HearingSol experts with your problem, feel free to call us on +91-9327901950. We are always here to help you.

Also Read: How to Prevent a Common Cold?