2024-03-29 11:10:00
Verified on 03/29/2024 by Alexane Flament, Editor
Fever, fatigue, cough, stuffy nose, sore throat… The flu can knock you out! There is no miracle cure, other than being patient and resting.
Fortunately, there are natural remedies to relieve your symptoms and thus suffer less from the infection.
Sleep as much as possible
Rest is the best way to recover from the flu. Either way, if you have the flu, you’ll only want to do one thing: sleep!
Sleep strengthens the immune system. By sleeping, you help your body fight the virus.
Get as much rest as possible and avoid contact with other people while you have a fever. When you’re lying down, elevate your head with an extra pillow to relieve your stuffy nose.
Gargle
If you have a sore throat, gargle with water or salt water. Gargling can help reduce inflammation, thin mucus in the throat, and flush out pathogens.
Drink water and herbal teas to prevent dehydration
Our immune system functions optimally when the body is well hydrated. Our cells need water to do their job.
To stay hydrated during the flu, drink plenty of water, tea, herbal teas or spices known for their antimicrobial and decongestant properties (ginger, cinnamon, cloves, chamomile, eucalyptus, etc.).
Eat chicken soup
It is a very American remedy to bring “chicken soup” to a loved one who has a cold or the flu. But, this famous soup doesn’t just warm and comfort you.
A very serious study published in 2022 in the journal Nutrients revealed that chicken soup contains carnosine and anserine, substances with antioxidant properties that boost the immune system.
Two effects that can be useful in case of flu.
Take zinc
Taking food supplements enriched with zinc from the start of the infection would help boost the immune system, which could speed up healing and even alleviate symptoms.
Questioned by the American site Everyday HealthDr. Schachter, pediatrician, recommends taking one or two zinc capsules per day as a preventive treatment.
You can also increase your zinc intake through food (red meat, lentils, dairy products, chickpeas, etc.).
Use essential oils
Certain essential oils protect against viruses and bacteria responsible for respiratory infections. A study showed that tea tree essential oil helps fight the flu virus by slowing down the rate at which the virus multiplies.
It is therefore advisable to use it as soon as the first symptoms appear. You can pour a few drops of this oil into your hand soap. It will effectively destroy all pathogens.
Try nasal irrigation
Do you know the neti pot? It is a small pot that allows you to pass water from one nostril to the other, to thoroughly clean the nasal cavity.
This technique of Ayurvedic origin helps prevent the accumulation of bacteria and impurities in the nose.
Humidify the air you breathe
At night, symptoms of respiratory infections tend to intensify. To avoid spending a sleepless night, humidify the air in your home. This promotes nasal decongestion and stops coughing.
How to do ? You can take several hot showers during the day or just turn on the hot water tap and breathe in the steam for a few minutes. There are also air humidifiers.
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