Catching the flu is not something any of us like. While there are many flu remedies on store shelves, not all of us can use them. Even if we can, they may not be the right choice for every symptom. Here are a few ideas that are presented by the symptom rather than the remedy:
Fever: Under most circumstances, the fever involved with the flu is a good thing. It’s helping kill the virus. You can reach for something to bring it down, but it might be a better idea to sweat it out.
This procedure calls for a stimulant herb such as cinnamon or ginger root. Make a tea of it and then wrap up warmly. You will be very uncomfortable and very tempted to unwrap. Don’t do it. You should also start to sweat profusely, and that’s the goal. What you’re doing will increase your immune response against the invading flu virus. Studies indicate that you may feel better faster if you follow this procedure.
Cough: Coughing has a purpose; to bring up phlegm that builds up in your lungs. If the cough is productive, that’s a good thing. What you want to do in this case is thin the phlegm so the cough can work more effectively. Ginger is good at this, though it is very spicy.
If your cough is not productive and you’re pretty sure you don’t have lung congestion, you’ll want to stop the cough reflex. Find a cough remedy with cherry bark in it. In most cases, I suggest you make your own, but in this case a prepared product is safer. The thing that stops the reflex is cyanide and you don’t want to overdo that.
Sore Throat: The cinnamon tea that encourages sweating may also help with a sore throat. I usually add whole cloves as well, as it can have a gentle numbing action. A syrup made from a fifty-fifty mixture of honey and lemon may also help. Never give honey to children under age one. Gargling warm salt water can also help.
Ache: Over the counter pain relievers are probably your best bet here. However, a cool cloth on the forehead may also help with the headache. If you want to go totally natural with the headache, willow bark tea could help. However, it contains the same ingredient as aspirin and all the rules about aspirin apply.
Congestion: This is usually caused by thick phlegm in your breathing passages. Something that thins it out and helps you expel it is required. Steam is one method that can be very helpful. Sitting in the bathroom with the shower on full hot can help, as can a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water. Bring it to a boil and breathe the steam.
You may also want to use ginger root. As mentioned under coughing, it can thin out the junk congesting your lungs and help you get rid of it.
Fatigue: Give in. Your body needs plenty of rest while it fights this battle and bed is the best place for you to be. It may take you a while to get your strength back, so be prepared to need a nap or two even if you’ve been mostly over it for weeks.
Your doctor is one of your bets when you have the flu. If you manage to get there in the first forty-eight hours, there are medications that might help you get well faster. The doctor can also tell if there are any complications that might need attended. Talk to him or her about any home remedies you may want to use, as there could be interactions and side effects.