Influenza is a disease caused by the influenza virus and leads to symptoms that start quickly. These include dry cough, as well as severe sore throat, headache and aching limbs. Influenza is usually accompanied by high fever (up to 40°C) and the accompanying chills.
Those affected feel very ill and flabby. The flu occurs more frequently in the winter months, as the body becomes more susceptible to the virus pathogens due to the temperatures. It often lasts between two and three weeks.
Influenza should be treated by a doctor, especially for children, during pregnancy and in old age. The annual influenza vaccination also plays an important role here. If flu occurs, various home remedies can help to ensure that the symptoms subside quickly.
These household remedies are used
The following household remedies can be used against influenza:
- Warm chicken soup
- Hot tea
- Pleasant room climate
- Rest and relaxation
- Inhalation
- Gurgling
- Nasal Shower
application: Chicken soup can be purchased ready made in the supermarket. However, it works better when it is fresh. For this purpose, chicken legs are cooked with soup vegetables and various spices.
Effect: Chicken soup contains a lot of protein and zinc, which support the body’s immune system. Thus, the immune response to the virus pathogens can be regulated. What you have to consider: Chicken soup is best enjoyed warm, as the additional heat can help with sore throats.
For which diseases does the household remedy also help? Warm chicken soup can also help with sore throats or swollen tonsils (tonsillitis). Usage: There are different kinds of tea which are suitable against flu.
These include above all camomile or lime blossom tea, as well as peppermint tea or a ready-mixed flu tea from the drugstore. Effect: The hot water relieves pain in the throat and neck area. In addition, the tea has a moisturizing effect on the mucous membranes, which supports the immune system.
What you have to consider: In order to allow the active ingredients of the individual tea varieties to unfold well, fresh preparation is recommended. For which diseases does the household remedy also help? Hot tea also helps with inflammation of the sinuses.
Application: A pleasant room climate is associated with a room temperature of about 20°C. The humidity in the room is also important. A humidifier or a bowl of water can help here if necessary.
Effect: In case of flu, sweating and the increase in body temperature leads to a quicker danger of dehydration. Therefore the room climate is important to counteract these mechanisms. What must be taken into account: In winter, it is generally recommended to place a bowl of water in the area of heaters or to hang it on them to avoid too dry air.
For which diseases does the household remedy also help? A pleasant indoor climate is also very important for sinusitis and chesty cough. Application: During a flu, rest and relaxation are very important for the body.
Therefore any physical exertion should be avoided and bed rest should be kept for most of the day. Effect: A flu is a stress reaction for the body, which is associated with a lot of energy expenditure. If rest and recuperation are lacking, the flu symptoms are prolonged and may even worsen.
What must be taken into account: In spite of rest and recovery, fresh air should be ensured. For example, a ten-minute walk with warm clothing is recommended despite the flu. For which diseases does the household remedy also help?
Rest and recuperation also play an important role in the recovery of many other diseases, for example gastrointestinal infections (gastritis). How to use it: There are several possible solutions for inhalation in case of influenza. A popular variant is inhaling chamomile tea.
This should be freshly boiled up for this purpose. Effect: Camomile contains numerous active ingredients that have an anti-inflammatory and regulating effect on the body’s own immune system. By inhaling these come directly to the irritated mucous membranes and relieve the symptoms.
What must be taken into account: Inhaling with essential oils is often recommended. Care should be taken here, especially with asthmatics, as these often have an irritating effect on the respiratory tract. For which diseases does the household remedy also help?
Inhaling is also particularly suitable for sinusitis and fever.application: Fresh camomile or sage tea are particularly suitable as solutions for gargling in case of flu. Alternatively, saline solution can also be purchased. The gargling should be done for at least half a minute.
Effect: The gargling of different solutions leads to a moistening of the irritated mucous membranes in the area of the throat and neck. Depending on the gargling solution, the various ingredients have a direct local effect. What must be taken into account: In case of swallowing difficulties, gargling is not recommended under any circumstances, as this may cause the solution to enter the respiratory tract.
For which diseases does the household remedy also help? Gargling also helps with inflammation of the throat. Directions for use: The necessary utensils for a nasal douche should best be purchased in a pharmacy or drugstore.
The use of the device is individual according to the package insert. Effect: A nasal douche rinses and cleans the respiratory tract of the nose. Mucus and germs can be rinsed out, thus allowing for freer breathing.
What you have to consider: If the mucous membranes are very swollen, a nasal douche should not be used. It can happen that the rinsing remains in the nose. For which diseases does the household remedy also help? A nasal douche is also suitable for inflammations of the paranasal sinuses and hay fever.