8 Natural Colds and Flu Remedies

Feeling down with a cold? Tried over-the-counter prescriptions and got no relief? Why not give natural remedies a try? We have all had that one time when relief from the flu needed to come faster. Nasal congestion is no fun. In this article, WebMD will show us how to manage the flu and get complete relief.

Here are 8 Natural Colds and Flu Remedies to help you during the cold months

Blow Your Nose the Right Way

Blowing your nose when you’ve got a cold requires skill. Not really. All you need to do is hold down one nostril with your index finger, gently blow a steady stream of air from the open nostril, and repeat this same action with the previously closed nostril. When you’ve got a cold, it is advised that you not sniff back the mucus into your nose but blow it out gently to avoid an earache. Sanitizing your hands afterward is advised to limit bacteria infestation.

Get Enough Rest

Relaxing your body is as essential as the prescriptions or remedies you take to treat a cold. Complete body rest should not be underestimated, as this is when the body’s natural antibodies become active to help fight the cause of the flu in order to strengthen the immune system.

Salt-Water Gargle

From old times, gargling with a saline solution (salt in water) has been a great way to relieve a sore throat. Most salt-water solutions are made from only two ingredients, water and salt. Take a level teaspoon of sea salt rocks (table salt will do fine, too), dissolve them in a glass of warm water, and gargle as much as five times a day. Other easy gargle concoctions can be used in place of salt-water solution. For instance, a green tea brew can also be gargled to provide relief from an itchy sore throat because of the presence of tannins.

Warm Liquids Are a Must

Warm liquids provide temporary relief from nasal congestion. The combination of moisture and heat works by expanding the membranes in the nasal passageway, relieving the dry and tight feeling accompanying a sore throat.

Hot Baths/Showers Are Your Friends

Hot baths are another great way of providing relief from the flu. Steam from hot water serves as a moisturizer and muscle relaxer. The steam quickly works by entering the nasal passage, down the esophagus, and relieves the membranes and tonsils in the throat region.

Hot or Cold Compress

Whether the heat from a hot water compress or the chill from a cold compress, you could get relief from your cold. Don’t have access to a factory-made compress? You could use an old t-shirt made with non-flammable material. Wet the piece of cloth and place the material in the microwave for a minute. Before applying it to your skin, you may want to test it to see if it is not too hot. For the cold compress, take a plastic bag and fill it halfway with water. Place the bag in the freezer and wait till it freezes. Use the compress with discretion.

More pillows, Less Mucus Build-Up

Adding more pillows to increase the incline of your head when sleeping is advised when you have a cold. The elevation will help drain the nasal passage and provide relief.

Practitioner Grade Vitamins and Health Supplements

Taking added supplements such as Bioceuticals, Bioceuticals Armaforce, Bioceuticals Ultra Muscleze, and Bioceuticals Ultrabiotic for the flu may work if you are deficient in vitamins and minerals. Sometimes, when we don’t have enough of the number of vitamins and minerals our bodies require, we could be at risk of infections because of the weakened immune system. Therefore, it is good to always get a bit of vitamin from the early morning sun between sunrise to around 10:00 am – 11:00 am (as this is the best time to be under the sun).