Flu or Influenza is caused by a virus. It is a common condition and anybody can get infected with this virus. The common symptoms of flu are body aches, fever, nasal congestion, cough, difficulty in breathing and loss of appetite etc. In acute cases the patient may suffer from nausea and vomiting. Generally, flu lasts for about 10-12 days but cough takes longer to go away completely.
Over the counter medicines of flu are not much effective as they only suppress the problem and do not cure it. You can follow simple home treatments for flu to feel more comfortable and let it pass.
7 Home Treatment For Flu
Adequate Rest
Give your body adequate rest when you are suffering from flu. Rest will help to heal the body faster and bring down fever. If you are an exercise freak, then take a break and try some other diversions like reading a book that you may have wanted to read since a long time.
Increased Intake of Fluids
Flu makes you feel thirstier.Keep your body well hydrated by drinking more water. Fruit juices and soups are also beneficial to treat flu at home. They help to boost energy level and vitamin C content in fruit juices improves the immune system.
Herbal Tea
Hot herbal tea helps to bring down the temperature and it relieves body aches. Take one inch piece of ginger, one green cardamom and 6-8 black pepper corns. Boil it in one cup of water. Cover it and let it sit for 15 minutes. Strain the decoction, add ½ tea spoon of honey and sip it slowly to treat flu.
Steaming
Steaming helps to decongest the chest. It expels mucous and makes breathing easier. Boil water in a pot, remove it from fire. Cover your head with a big towel, bend your head over the pot and inhale the steam for 3-5 minutes. Keep your eyes closed. Remove the pot and keep your face covered for a few minutes to avoid exposure. Afterwards blow your nose to expel mucous.
Gargles
Saline water gargles is an excellent home treatment to treat flu. It relieves cough and helps to throw out phlegm. Add ½ tea spoon salt in a glass of warm water and swish the water in your mouth and throat. Spit out the water and repeat to finish the water.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek seeds have a soothing effect on the mucous membranes. They are the best body cleansers. Make a decoction with 1 tea spoon fenugreek seeds and one glass of water. Boil the water till it is reduced to half. Strain it; add a few drops of lemon juice and ½ tea spoon honey. Sip it slowly while it is hot.
Basil
Basil or Holy Basil as it is commonly known is a wonder herb for treating respiratory disorder like influenza. It helps to remove phlegm from the respiratory tract and provides relief in flu. Boil 8-10 basil leaves, 2-3 cloves and a pinch of common salt in half litre of water till it is reduced to half. Strain the decoction and drink it for treating flu at home.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.