8 natural remedies to treat influenza!

Fever, fatigue, cough, stuffy nose, sore throat… the flu can knock you out! There is no miracle cure, only patience and rest.

Fortunately, there are natural treatments to relieve symptoms and thus reduce suffering 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 lie down, elevate your head with an extra pillow to relieve a stuffy nose.

Gargle

If you have a sore throat, gargle with water or salt water. Gargling can help reduce inflammation and thin mucus in the throat and flush out pathogens.

Drink water and herbal tea to prevent dehydration

Our immune system functions optimally when the body is well hydrated. Our cells need water to do their work.

To stay hydrated during the flu, drink plenty of water, tea, herbal teas, or spices known to have antimicrobial and decongestant properties (ginger, cinnamon, cloves, chamomile, eucalyptus, etc.).

Eat chicken soup

“It's a very American treat to bring.”chicken soup“For a loved one who has a cold or flu. But this popular soup doesn't just warm and comfort you.

A very serious study published in 2022 in the magazine Nutrients She revealed that chicken soup contains carnosine and anserin, which are substances with antioxidant properties that work to strengthen the immune system.

Two effects can be useful in the case of influenza.

Take zinc

Taking zinc-rich nutritional supplements from the beginning of the infection will help boost the immune system, which may speed up the healing process and even relieve symptoms.

The American website asked Daily healthDr. Schachter, a pediatrician, recommends taking one or two zinc capsules daily as a preventative treatment.

You can also increase your zinc intake through food (red meat, lentils, dairy products, chickpeas, etc.).

Use essential oils

Some essential oils protect against viruses and bacteria responsible for respiratory infections. A study shows that tea tree essential oil helps fight the influenza virus by slowing the rate of virus reproduction.

Therefore, it is recommended 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 a neti pot? It is a small bowl that allows you to pass water from one nostril to another to completely 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 worsen. To avoid a sleepless night, humidify the air in your home. This promotes nasal congestion and stops coughing.

How do I do ? You can take a hot bath several times during the day or just open the hot water tap and inhale the steam for a few minutes. There are also humidifiers.