17 Tips And Remedies For The
Flu
By D Ruplinger
The “best” flu remedy seems to vary by who you talk to. Some
people think that certain over-the-counter medications are the best way to get
relief. Others feel homeopathic remedies work the best. Still others feel that
only their doctor can help make them make the appropriate choice.
If you talked to my husband he would tell you the best flu remedy is to not
get the flu (he’s not always the most helpful person). He talks smart because he
hardly ever gets sick. I’m very jealous of him. I think his genes must be better
than mine because he doesn’t eat healthier or exercise any more than I do yet I
get sick a lot more often than he does.
I catch the flu nearly every year. I’ve tried over-the-counter medications,
some homeopathic remedies, and have gone to my doctor when I’ve gotten bad cases
of the flu.
Below I’ve listed some common, and some not so common remedies for the flu.
Some of the remedies are homeopathic; others involve taking over-the counter
medications; while others are prescription.
1) This first item is more of a suggestion to keep yourself from getting
sick again rather than a remedy but I think it’s a really good tip. Put your
toothbrush in a cup with hydrogen peroxide in it to prevent you from
re-infecting yourself (especially if you have a cold). Toothbrushes are a haven
for germs and the hydrogen peroxide will kill the bacteria on your toothbrush.
You may decide to put your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide every day to kill the
bacteria that accumulate.
2) In addition to putting your toothbrush in a cup of hydrogen peroxide you
may want to put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ears. It can help kill
flu (or cold) germs. Sometimes the hydrogen peroxide will sting a little. The
process is to put a few drops in one ear with a cotton ball or a Q-tip. After a
few minutes drain the excess fluid out onto a Kleenex or paper towel. Then do
the same thing in the other ear. Repeat the process after an hour or two.
Continue to repeat until the hydrogen peroxide doesn’t bubble when it’s put into
the ear (usually after 2 or 3 times). The hydrogen peroxide is said to be most
effective if it’s used as soon as possible after getting sick.
3) Elderberry extract can lessen the duration of the flu according to
studies done in Israel. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or herbalist for advice
on how much and how often to take it, and also to make sure it will not
interfere with any other medications or supplements you may already be taking.
4) Boneset is another herb said to help lessen the intensity and duration of
the flu. It is usually added to boiled water, along with honey and lemon (to
make it easier to drink) and then sipped. Again, consult with your doctor,
pharmacist or herbalist for the recommended dosage.
5) Oscillococcinum is a popular homeopathic/natural product taken to help
with the flu symptoms of body aches and pains, fever, and chills. One of the
reasons it is so popular is that it does not cause drowsiness.
6) Naturoksinum is another natural flu remedy available. It is touted as
being able to cut the severity of flu symptoms in half. It is one of the most
popular flu remedies in France and is available for purchase in the United
States.
7) Echinacea is another popular natural remedy for the
flu. Again, because it is an herbal product, check with your doctor,
pharmacist, or herbalist to make sure it is safe for you to take and that it
does not interfere with any other medications or supplements you are currently
taking.
8) Tamiflu and Relenza are two prescription medications available for
treating the flu. For either medication to work best it should be taken with two
days of the onset of flu symptoms. Both Tamiflu and Relenza work by preventing
the flu virus from infecting cells in the body that are still healthy, and they
both work against influenza A and B.
9) Drink health juices such as mangosteen, noni, goji, aloe vera, or acai
berry. They are not only great juices to drink if you get the flu, but they can
also help prevent it because the juices are good at boosting a person’s immune
system. My personal health juice of choice is a mangosteen juice. It tastes
great and helps me feel better overall.
10) There are several products available to use in your bath or even your
shower to help with the symptoms of the flu. Abra Bath for colds and the flu is
a product you add to bath water. It is said to help relieve congestion, reduce
body aches, and help relieve the chills associated with the flu. The makers of
Sudafed offer a product called Sudacare Shower Soothers. They are tablets that
react with warm shower water to create vapors of eucalyptus, menthol, and
camphor to help with congestion.
11) Nasal sprays to help relieve flu symptoms are available over the
counter. One product is called Flu Relief. Nasal sprays aren’t as popular as
most other remedies though because many people dislike using nasal sprays.
12) Fever, headaches, and aching muscles are common symptoms of the flu.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen, both available over the counter can help lessen the
pain.
13) A persistent cough may be present when a person has the flu (http://www.microflu.com/flusymptoms/).
There are many over the counter cough medicines, such as Robitussin (which has
specific formulas of its products for helping with flu symptoms), to help quiet
a cough associated with the flu.
14) Congestion is another symptom that a person may get with the flu. An
oral decongestant can help loosen the congestion. Again there are many over the
counter products available to fight flu symptoms such as congestion. Vick’s
vapor rub can also help ease congestion.
15) A sore throat can be another bothersome symptom of the flu. Throat
lozenges or sprays can help with the pain. I gargle with warm salt water every
hour when my throat is sore. It’s a remedy my Mom used when I was little. It
worked for me then and it still works for me now.
16) Rest is a very important part of fighting the flu. Your body needs rest
to help it fight the infection in your body. So give in to that urge to cuddle
up under the covers and rest. You’re likely to feel better faster if you do.
17) Drink as many fluids are you can when you have the flu. Avoid drinks
with caffeine because caffeinated drinks act as mild diuretics. Water is the
best liquid but can be hard for someone who feels sick to drink enough of. Other
good choices of liquid are clear juices, Gatorade (or any of the other sports
drinks available) as well as flavored water and Pedialyte. When I was a child
and had the flu my Mom always gave me 7-up to drink. I could drink it without
feeling sick to my stomach and it tasted good so I was able to drink enough of
it to keep myself from getting dehydrated.
Always remember that the flu (depending on what strain you have contracted)
can be a life-threatening illness if not treated properly. Don’t be afraid to
contact your doctor if your symptoms don’t start to get better in a few days or
if they are very severe.
Another thing to remember when you have the flu (or are sick with anything
else) is to only treat the symptoms you have. There are lots of over-the-counter
products available to treat flu symptoms. Many of those products relieve
multiple symptoms. But sometimes you don’t have all the symptoms that particular
medication treats. Look for products that treat the symptoms you have, but
nothing more. You don’t want to over-medicate yourself.
Disclaimer: this article is for educational purposes only and is not
intended to diagnose or treat illness and disease; nor is it intended as
dispensation of medical advice.
D Ruplinger is a featured writer for
http://www.microflu.com. Visit the web site for more information on
flu prevention and
natural flu remedies.