The flu, a seasonal viral attack that strikes every winter, affects billions of people worldwide.
Although it may seem similar to a common cold for healthy individuals, the flu can lead to severe complications.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into what the flu is, its symptoms, available treatments, and powerful natural remedies to combat its viral onslaught.
Contents
Discover potent natural remedies to combat the flu in our comprehensive guide. Learn about symptoms, treatment, and prevention for a healthier season ahead.
What is the flu?
Flu is a viral attack.
The affected Influenza virus falls into three categories:
- type A or h3n2 which is the most common or h1n1 (which showed up in 2009)
- type B which mostly causes localized outbreaks
- type C which is quite rare and has few symptoms
Flu symptoms and differentiating from colds
Influenza is different from traditional cold viruses which cause infection of the upper respiratory tract resulting in a non-productive cough, sore throat, and runny nose.
Of course, we find in its clinical picture respiratory symptoms but they are also accompanied by muscle pain (aches), fever, nausea, vomiting, and headaches.
The other particularity is that the respiratory condition can quickly turn into pneumonia, the reason why this disease still kills many in the world.
Cold and flu symptoms can sometimes be difficult to tell apart.
The importance of flu shots
Each year in October, the flu vaccine is offered to protect at-risk populations during winter and year next.
This vaccine is trivalent, it contains three strains of the virus:
- type A – h1n1
- type A – h3n2
- type B
But the vaccine is random and depending on the year, its results are sometimes very disappointing.
When to seek medical attention for flu
When to see a doctor?
It is best to consult at the first symptoms because the drugs he will prescribe will be more effective within 48 hours of infection.
Three kinds of drugs can overcome virulent flu:
– Tamiflu, an antiviral active only on the flu virus
– inhalations
– Peramivir, an anti-influenza antiviral
These substances treat influenza A and B viruses with 99% effectiveness, resulting in a noticeable reduction in symptoms within 24 hours.
It should be noted that when anti-influenza treatment is initiated at the onset of the first signs or within 48 hours of the declaration of the disease, symptoms begin to disappear within 12 hours to 3 days.
This point is important because healing greatly reduces the contagion and transmission of the virus.
Understanding flu transmission
The Influenza virus is mainly transmitted by sneezing and coughing, which induces close proximity to the infected person.
It is also spread by contact with contaminated surfaces.
Winter disease, the virus circulates from November to March.
The incubation period is approximately two days.
How do you know if the flu is getting worse?
If you are unwell, certain signs should alert you and encourage you to care immediate medical attention:
– severe breathing difficulty
– confusing
– very productive cough, profuse and very greasy secretions
Best home remedies for flu
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Honey for soothing a sore throat and cough
There’s nothing better than herbal tea with a squeeze of lemon and honey to soothe a sore throat.
Honey is an excellent cough suppressant.
Chose Manuka Honey Lozenges (ad) if you are looking for the most effective sore throat remedy.
Ginger has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that relieve congestion, nausea, and fever.
Derived from traditional Chinese medicine, ginger is very versatile and is particularly active in productive coughs.
Do not hesitate to consume ginger infusions to breathe better, cough less, and lower your fever.
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Garlic: A potent weapon against flu
Garlic contains minerals, enzymes, vitamin C, sulfur, selenium which are weapons to fight the flu.
You may still think it’s not nice to wear the scent, but now there are odorless garlic capsules (ad).
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Chamomile tea: Soothing and anti-Inflammatory
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum Nobile) is a medicinal plant with virtues recognized by the WHO in inhalations for respiratory infections.
In the case of flu, chamomile tea is soothing to the throat and helps to fight its symptoms.
Its anti-inflammatory action will relieve headaches, nasal congestion, sore throat, and calm coughs.
You can also perform chamomile inhalations two to three times a day by inhaling the steam from a hot infusion.
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Hot toddy recipe: Grandma’s time-tested remedy
Grandmother’s remedy par excellence, toddy remains in vogue.
The classic grog recipe is simple:
– boiling water (25cl)
– rum (5cl)
– honey (2 teaspoons)
– lemon (half a squeezed lemon)
– a pinch of cinnamon powder
Why grog is so effective?
In fact, lemon is rich in vitamin C and has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Honey is antibacterial, soothes the throat, and relieves coughs.
Cinnamon is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Rum brings a quantity of alcohol and significant antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
Finally, the heat of the grog helps to increase body temperature and thus eliminate toxins through perspiration.
Flu natural treatments
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Echinacea: A natural immune booster
Echinacea (ad) contains an active ingredient called echinacoside, a natural phenol that gives it antiseptic, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties.
This plant is therefore indicated in the prevention of colds and in the treatment of the flu because it stimulates the immune system, and supports the production of white blood cells which directly fight infection.
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Vitamin C: Prevention and duration reduction
Vitamin C has been studied in numerous researches for its impact in preventing and reducing the duration of the common cold.
In the case of the flu, this vitamin has been shown to be very effective in high doses in eradicating it.
It’s not surprising when you know that it has antiviral properties and that high doses can fight these same infections.
It is therefore highly recommended to supplement with vitamin C at the rate of 2 grams per day during the flu.
Prefer a liposomal vitamin C (ad) more assimilable for the body.
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Black Elderberry: Reducing flu symptoms and boosting immunity
Elderberry is known to effectively fight inflammation and congestion.
It relieves pain while providing an expectorant action.
In the case of the flu, studies have shown that taking 15ml of an elderberry extract (ad) four times daily for 5 days significantly reduced the duration of symptoms while boosting the immune system.
Elderberry has shown real effectiveness in lowering fever, fighting headaches, and relieving nasal congestion and aches.
Colloidal silver has virtues that are detailed here.
As part of the flu, it is recommended to use a colloidal silver 20ppm (ad) 10ml 2 to 3 times a day for a minimum of 5 days.
Essential oils for flu relief
You have many essential oils at your fingertips that can help you overcome the flu.
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Eucalyptus oil: Antimicrobial and expectorant properties
Eucalyptus has antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that are often put to good use when it comes to colds.
It is ideal for its antitussive action while being expectorant.
Its composition is close to Ravintsara oil in its antiviral function and coupled with it, eucalyptus increases its benefits tenfold.
You can apply it on the chest and lower back at the rate of one drop for 4 drops of vegetable oil, you can inhale in the vapors of a bowl of hot water.
You can also take it as two pure drops under the tongue 4 times a day for 2 days.
Laurel is a very versatile essential oil, both antiviral, antibacterial, analgesic, and expectorant which has its place in the treatment of influenza.
In addition, the laurel essential oil (ad) is very effective in relieving headaches and body aches caused by viral infection.
You can dilute a drop in a teaspoon of vegetable oil and apply it to the chest and lower back.
Like laurel, Ravintsara is a very powerful antiviral essential oil.
Antibacterial, immunostimulant, and expectorant, it can treat the whole family without danger.
You can use it topically at the rate of 2 drops 5 times a day on the chest and lower back.
You can also drop a ravintsara essential oil (ad) on half a sugar and ensure taking 4 times a day until symptoms improve.
* If you suffer from epilepsy, its use is not recommended.
Not to be confused with Ravensara essential oil which does not have the same properties and is toxic orally.
It may be wise to make a synergy of these three essential oils in vegetable oil and to use it in application on the chest and upper back 4 to 5 times a day until the symptoms disappear.
Explore 78 Natural Remedies for Common Ailments
How to cure flu naturally?
Flu symptoms require plenty of rest, which must be accompanied by solid hydration to counteract the inconvenience of fever.
Of course, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to try to control your temperature.
But more natural remedies can also treat the infection.
Ginger herbal tea can help you manage a fever.
A grog before bedtime to relieve cough, soothe aches, fight infection helps you sleep.
Elderberry, vitamin C, colloidal silver, and echinacea are the perfect combination that is anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, and anti-infectious.
You can also diffuse expectorant essential oils that will help you breathe easier while relieving nasal congestion.
You have simple means at your disposal to fend off the flu, but don’t forget that in the event of complications, it is a medical emergency.
