Home Remedies for Cold and Flu

Are you suffering from a cold and flu? Here are some tips to help you get relief using natural home remedies. Most of the remedies mentioned here have been used for generations to treat flu. Read on to learn about the time tested ways to get relief from cold and flu.With the advent of winter, viral infections, fever, cough, common cold and the flu affect most people. Why pop pills when you can treat your cold with natural home remedies? Here are some home remedies that will help not only help cure your cold, but all help you feel better when suffering from fever or the flu: In this articleUse Neti PotRestBlow your Nose frequentlyGargle oftenMustard FootbathBreathe Aromatic SteamTake a Warm ShowerDrink Hot FluidsUse an additional Pillow while SleepingHot Water BagsUse Neti Pot – Neti Pot is a container that looks like the magic pot of genie, especially recommended in Yogic Ayurveda. It is available at most of the natural foods stores. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to warm water and pass the water through your nose with the help of the Neti Pot leaning over the bathroom sink. Gently blow your nose when finished and repeat the same process with the other side of your nose. This process is also known as Jal Neti.Rest – Although it sounds very silly to take rest when you are suffering from something as basic as the common cold, but it helps your body energize your immune system. A cold is like a battle and can leave you fatigued. So, taking proper rest will help your body fight off the cold much faster.Blow your Nose frequently – It is better to blow your nose when your nose is blocked instead of sniffing. Make sure you do not blow your nose too hard because this can cause other problems. It is preferable to blow out the mucus from one nostril at a time. Wash your hand after blowing your nose.Gargle often – Gargling is a time tested and proven treatment for the common cold and sore throat. It will give you relief by moistening your throat. Take a glass of warm water and add half teaspoonful of salt to it. Gargle at least four times a day. You can increase the frequency if you have severe problem.Mustard Footbath – Take 1 litre of hot water and add 1 tablespoon of mustard powder to it. Soak your feet in it. This helps relieve congestion.Breathe Aromatic Steam – Take a small tub and fill it with steaming water. Add freshly chopped ginger to it. Lean over the tub keeping safe distance while draping a towel over your head so that you can inhale the maximum steam. Breathe in the steam for some time. You will feel great relief. Adding few drops of eucalyptus oil will also help ease jamming of nose and make breathing easier.Take a Warm Shower – Taking a steamy shower will help clear the nasal passages and relax you as well. If you are having symptoms of flu, you can take a sponge bath.Drink Hot Fluids – Drinking hot liquids will not only relieve nasal congestion, but also help prevent dehydration and soothe the membrane that lines your throat and nose.Use an additional Pillow while Sleeping – This will help you have some relief from nasal draining. Create a gradual slope to sleep and rest well.Hot Water Bags – You can use a hot water bag to give additional heat and warmth to your body, especially around your head, chest, and ears. The cold and flu can make one miserable most of the time. So, take plenty of rest and follow the remedies mentioned here. You should stay hydrated and watch your symptoms. If it gets worse or you do not find any relief by natural remedies, you are advised to consult a doctor. Remember if not treated on time, the common cold and flu can become serious!What do you do when you get a cold? How do you treat the flu? What home-remedies can help cure the cold and flu? Discuss here.

With the advent of winter, viral infections, fever, cough, common cold and the flu affect most people. Why pop pills when you can treat your cold with natural home remedies? Here are some home remedies that will help not only help cure your cold, but all help you feel better when suffering from fever or the flu:

• Use Neti Pot –

  Neti Pot is a container that looks like the magic pot of genie, especially recommended in Yogic Ayurveda. It is available at most of the natural foods stores. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to warm water and pass the water through your nose with the help of the Neti Pot leaning over the bathroom sink. Gently blow your nose when finished and repeat the same process with the other side of your nose. This process is also known as Jal Neti.

• Rest –

  Although it sounds very silly to take rest when you are suffering from something as basic as the common cold, but it helps your body energize your immune system. A cold is like a battle and can leave you fatigued. So, taking proper rest will help your body fight off the cold much faster.

• Blow your Nose frequently –

  It is better to blow your nose when your nose is blocked instead of sniffing. Make sure you do not blow your nose too hard because this can cause other problems. It is preferable to blow out the mucus from one nostril at a time. Wash your hand after blowing your nose.

• Gargle often –

  Gargling is a time tested and proven treatment for the common cold and sore throat. It will give you relief by moistening your throat. Take a glass of warm water and add half teaspoonful of salt to it. Gargle at least four times a day. You can increase the frequency if you have severe problem.

• Mustard Footbath –

  Take 1 litre of hot water and add 1 tablespoon of mustard powder to it. Soak your feet in it. This helps relieve congestion.

• Breathe Aromatic Steam –

  Take a small tub and fill it with steaming water. Add freshly chopped ginger to it. Lean over the tub keeping safe distance while draping a towel over your head so that you can inhale the maximum steam. Breathe in the steam for some time. You will feel great relief. Adding few drops of eucalyptus oil will also help ease jamming of nose and make breathing easier.

• Take a Warm Shower –

  Taking a steamy shower will help clear the nasal passages and relax you as well. If you are having symptoms of flu, you can take a sponge bath.

• Drink Hot Fluids –

  Drinking hot liquids will not only relieve nasal congestion, but also help prevent dehydration and soothe the membrane that lines your throat and nose.

• Use an additional Pillow while Sleeping –

  This will help you have some relief from nasal draining. Create a gradual slope to sleep and rest well.

• Hot Water Bags –

  You can use a hot water bag to give additional heat and warmth to your body, especially around your head, chest, and ears.

The cold and flu can make one miserable most of the time. So, take plenty of rest and follow the remedies mentioned here. You should stay hydrated and watch your symptoms. If it gets worse or you do not find any relief by natural remedies, you are advised to consult a doctor. Remember if not treated on time, the common cold and flu can become serious!

What do you do when you get a cold? How do you treat the flu? What home-remedies can help cure the cold and flu? Discuss here.