Although cold and flu are different diseases, the symptoms are very similar. That is why many home remedies for colds also help with a real flu (influenza).
Medicinal herbal teas
During cold and flu, it is advisable to drink enough (at least two liters a day). Warm drinks such as herbal teas are best. This does good to irritated, aching mucous membranes and liquefies the secretion in the bronchial tubes and nose.
Tea for colds
- Ribwort, marshmallow and mallow help with sore throat, pharyngitis and dry irritating cough. They contain mucilage, which lies on the irritated mucous membrane. This has an irritation- and pain-relieving effect.
- Mullein also has an irritation-relieving effect on coughs.
- Licorice root, primrose or cowslip help against mucoused airways and cough with sputum.
- Elderberry and lime blossoms promote the production of mucus in the bronchial tubes.
- Chamomile has an anti-inflammatory effect and at the same time stimulates the immune system.
- Ginseng inhibits the flu viruses and can shorten the course of the disease.
Tea for flu nausea
Flu is often accompanied by nausea. Teas with these medicinal plants soothe the stomach:
- Ginger
- Caraway
- Peppermint
- Melissa
- Anise
Inhalation for cold and flu
- Place the pot or bowl with the hot water on the table, bend your head over it.
- Place a towel over the head and bowl so that the rising vapors cannot escape.
- Inhale for 10 to 15 minutes. To do this, let the rising water vapor enter the respiratory tract with deep breaths through the nose and mouth.
- Finally, dry your face and avoid drafts.
If you also add table salt to the hot water, the inhalation has an additional disinfecting effect.
Read more about the application in the article Inhalation.
In case of inflammatory skin diseases, eye diseases, very low blood pressure or other circulatory disorders, you should refrain from inhalations!
Calf compress against high fever
A good and time-tested home remedy for this flu symptom is calf wraps. Evaporative cooling occurs on the moistened calves, which cools the entire body. The fever drops.
Read more about the correct application in the article Calf Wrap.
Calf compresses should not be used if the patient has chills or is cold. In case of circulatory problems as well as neurological diseases (sensitivity disorders), one should first consult the doctor before making calf wraps.
Many flu sufferers, as well as people with colds, suffer from a sore throat or an unpleasant pharyngitis. Home remedies can also help in this case.
Gargling with tea
Apart from drinking tea, something else helps against sore throat: gargling the tea. If you have a painful sore throat or pharyngitis, you should gargle several times a day with a freshly prepared tea made from ribwort, sage, marshmallow, mallow, chamomile or calendula.
You can read more about this in the article Gargling.
Throat compress
Read more about the different forms and their application in the article neck compress.
Cold bath against aching limbs
Warm bathing when you have a cold can do you good in more ways than one: If mild aching limbs and general malaise plague the sufferer, the warmth of the bath water alone can have a soothing and relaxing effect.
Adding herbs to the water enhances and supplements the healing effect. For example, medicinal plants can have a disinfecting, anti-inflammatory and/or decongestant effect on the nasal mucous membranes.
Slowly increase the temperature
The recommended duration of the bath is 10 to 20 minutes for adults and a maximum of 10 to 15 minutes for children. If you feel unwell, you should get out of the bath immediately! After the bath, you should rest in bed for at least 30 minutes, warmly covered.
Additives in the bath for colds
Basic mixture cold bath
For a hot bath for colds or flu with colds and headaches, an essential oil mixture of ten drops of cypress and five drops each of peppermint, niaouli and cardamom is suitable for adults.
More home remedies for headaches can be found in the article Headache.
Cold bath with spruce
For a cold bath you can also use the healing power of spruce. This has mucus and blood circulation stimulating and slightly anti-inflammatory properties. For example, you can make an infusion of spruce shoots for a full bath:
Cold bath: baby & older children
For a ready-made cold bath for children, the package insert will tell you from what age it can be used. This depends mainly on the essential oils contained.
For example, baths with menthol and camphor (colloquially: camphor), which are contained in many bath additives, are only safe for older children – in babies and small children they can trigger cramps of the airways and breathing difficulties.
When a cold bath is not advisable
When is a cold bath not advisable? Is bathing dangerous when you have a fever? Is a cold bath allowed during pregnancy? Are there any other situations in which a cold bath is not advised? Here you will find the answers to these questions:
Cold bath in case of high fever
You should also refrain from using a cold bath or consult your doctor beforehand in the event of the following illnesses:
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure (cardiac insufficiency)
- @ Skin injuries
- skin diseases
- hypersensitive respiratory tract (e.g. asthma)
Allergy sufferers who are hypersensitive or allergic to certain medicinal plants or essential oils must also avoid them, of course.
Bath for colds during pregnancy
In addition, there should be no signs of premature rupture of the membranes or contractions when expectant mothers take a hot bath. In pregnancy, hot water can increase premature as well as real contractions. False contractions (repeated hardening of the abdomen in the last trimester of pregnancy), on the other hand, tend to subside when taking a hot bath.
Onion against cold and flu
Onion bag
What helps against colds with earache? A warm onion bag, is one possible answer. Placed on the aching ear, it can counteract inflammatory processes in the ear (otitis media, otitis media) and relieve pain.
How to make and use the onion compress, read the article onion sachet.
Onion syrup
A home remedy for colds and flu with cough is onion syrup. It has an antibacterial and expectorant effect, making it easier to cough up.
Alternatively, chop 1 onion, boil it with 1 cup of water and then let it cool. Then add 2 tablespoons of honey and after half an hour drain the onion. One tablespoon of this syrup can be taken three times a day.
Honey is taboo for children under one year of age! If not stored properly, bacteria can accumulate in honey, which can be life-threatening for children.
Diet for colds and flu
Vitamins and minerals: Carrots, broccoli, apples & co., but also potatoes and cereals provide plenty of vitamins and minerals. Our immune system needs these to work efficiently and fight infections such as a cold.
Dietary fiber: Plant foods contain plenty of fiber, which supports healthy digestion. This is important, because if the intestines are bad, the immune system weakens as well.
Flavonoids: Flavonoids have the same effect. They are found as yellow, purple and blue pigments in foods such as apples, grapes, berries, kale and black and green tea.
Chicken soup helps against colds and flu
Warmth and liquid: The soup provides a lot of liquid and warms. This is good if you feel sick and are struggling with a cold nose and sore throat.
Inhalation: Holding your face over the rising steam from the hot broth acts as an inhalation in a way. The steam helps open the airways and has a mild anti-inflammatory effect.
All-round care: Chicken provides the body with protein, vitamins and minerals that support the immune system. In addition, chicken is a good source of tryptophan. Our body needs this protein building block (amino acid) to produce the nerve messenger serotonin. The “feel-good hormone” is particularly welcome when mood and well-being are in the basement due to illness.
Noodles as an energy supplier: Soup noodles in chicken soup are digestible carbohydrate suppliers. Carbohydrates saturate without weighing you down and provide the body with easily convertible energy.
It is best to prepare the chicken broth yourself from an organic chicken and fresh vegetables.
Apples, carrots and banana against flu with diarrhea
Read more about suitable home remedies for diarrhea in the article Diarrhea.
Red light against cold
For colds and other respiratory infections, many experts recommend irradiation with infrared light. The local heat treatment can, among other things, relieve pain and promote blood circulation. This is used, for example, to treat local infections such as sinusitis or otitis media.
Protective goggles: Infrared rays can damage the eyes, even when the eyelids are closed. Therefore, put on suitable protective goggles.
Distance and intensity: The distance and intensity of the radiation must be selected so that no burns occur on the skin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what distance and radiation intensity is ideal for the part of the body to be treated (e.g. ear, sinuses, bronchi).
In certain cases, heat treatment such as red light therapy is not recommended. These include acute febrile illnesses, acute heart disease, severe cardiac insufficiency, heat intolerance and sensitivity disorders (e.g. as a result of diabetes mellitus).
Zinc for colds
Many people hope for quick help with colds from zinc. The body needs the trace element for an optimally functioning immune system.
Effectiveness unclear
The evaluation of these studies did not provide clear evidence that zinc can actually help with the common cold:
While some studies did indeed find evidence that zinc supplements could prevent symptoms and shorten their duration. But there were also studies in which only a modest effect or no effect at all on cold symptoms could be demonstrated.
At least the use of zinc preparations in the doses used in the studies did not cause any serious side effects. However, such side effects cannot be completely ruled out – the number of participants in the studies was very small in some cases, so that rare side effects may have remained undetected.
Caution – too much zinc can be harmful!
If zinc intake is high and copper intake is low at the same time, anemia may also develop. In addition, undesirable interactions can occur when zinc is taken simultaneously with certain medications or foods.
For zinc supplements, consult your family doctor.
The body usually receives enough zinc to cover its daily requirements through the normal diet anyway. Anyone who wants to take an additional (high-dose) preparation with zinc for colds should first consult their family doctor.
Calendula against conjunctivitis
Sometimes conjunctivitis develops in the course of flu. Here, a tea made from marigolds can help:
To do this, pour about 150 milliliters of hot water over one to two grams of marigold flowers. Allow to steep for ten minutes, then strain the plant parts.
Soak two clean compresses with the slightly cooled infusion and place them on the closed eyes. Leave to act until the compresses have cooled down (about 15 minutes).
Calendula against conjunctivitis
Sometimes conjunctivitis develops in the course of flu. Here, a tea made from marigolds can help:
To do this, pour about 150 milliliters of hot water over one to two grams of marigold flowers. Allow to steep for ten minutes, then strain the plant parts.
Soak two clean compresses with the slightly cooled infusion and place them on the closed eyes. Leave to act until the compresses have cooled down (about 15 minutes).
Sauna for cold
Sauna is equally unhelpful when you have a cold. Cold viruses cannot simply be sweated out. Sometimes the symptoms of a cold are even more severe afterwards.
In addition, the high temperatures put additional strain on the cardiovascular system. Above all, anyone who has a fever and/or feels very ill has no business in the sauna.
Home remedies have their limits. If the symptoms persist for a long period of time, do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
