The flu is particularly widespread in the cold season. The typical symptoms of such flu are cough, cold and hoarseness, as well as fatigue and not infrequently elevated temperature or fever. For these and other signs of the flu, home remedies and alternative remedies can help alleviate the symptoms.
What helps against flu?
When you have the flu, rest and drinking plenty of fluids are proven home remedies. It is not uncommon for the body temperature to rise during flu. Thus, the body helps itself. Therefore, with increased temperature and fever in the first place a lot of rest and drink often already suffice. If the fever rises too much or lasts for a long time, then it may be useful to lower the temperature. Wraps have proven themselves as a home remedy, such as vinegar wraps, which are made from a mixture of cold water and fruit vinegar. A cloth, soaked with the cold-wet mixture, is wrapped around the calves. The coldness of the vinegar wraps allows heat to dissipate from the body, allowing the body temperature to slowly drop again. Cold washes can also help reduce the fever that has developed due to the flu. The body is simply washed with a damp cloth that has been soaked in cold water. Aching limbs are another typical symptom of the flu, which often occur together with fever. A cold bath with the addition of essential oils, for example with eucalyptus or menthol, can help against aching limbs and stimulate blood circulation. At the same time, essential oils also have a positive effect on the bronchial tubes and a cold nose, as they can loosen secretions and make it easier to cough and sneeze. To cleanse the nose, a saltwater nasal rinse can also help, and herbal and onion teas are said to have a beneficial effect on coughs. However, it does not always have to be tea, because the antibacterial effect of the onion can also be achieved with a mixture of finely chopped onions, brown sugar and honey. This mixture is said to help against irritating cough and can loosen mucus.
Quick help
Particularly fast help against the signs of flu promises first of all to take in a lot of liquid, because that way the mucous membranes do not dry out so quickly. Warm drinks, such as herbal teas, work best in this context. The classic chicken soup is also one of the home remedies that should quickly provide relief. However, it should be a home-cooked chicken soup with fresh ingredients. Because this contains particularly many valuable ingredients that have an antibacterial effect. Pain in the limbs and infections of the upper respiratory tract should be alleviated by drinking chicken soup. A ready-made soup can help only clearly weakened. At the same time, the warmth of the soup helps the body to heal itself. A cold bath with soothing essential oils can also provide relief at the first signs of a cold and help to relieve the body. If the nose runs and a headache occurs, a warming foot bath can quickly have a positive effect on these signs of illness.
Alternative remedies
In addition to home remedies, alternative remedies can also help against the symptoms of flu. Against cough, for example, tablets can be taken, which contain the natural active ingredient Echinacea. But also solutions with chamomile or preparations with Eupatorium and Thuja can help against cough. If, on the other hand, a sore throat occurs, herbal remedies based on gentian, sage or arnica can have a beneficial effect. Teas with elderberry or linden blossoms have also proven effective in reducing fever. At the same time, gargle solutions mixed with essential oils can help with flu. A few drops of tea tree or lemon oil and tyhmian oil can be mixed with warm water and gargled. The effect of lemon or eucalypthus oil, on the other hand, is particularly effective in a head bath. For this purpose, a few drops of the selected oil are added to hot water. The vapors are best inhaled when a towel is pulled over the head. Ten minutes with alternating breathing through the nose and mouth is already sufficient.
