Healthy Reads presents: homemade remedies to treat flu symptoms ASAP!
No one wants to get the flu because it makes us feel tired, cranky, and sluggish. But since COVID-19 is still in our lives, patiently waiting to make more victims, and the flu is stronger than ever, it’s important to have a strong immune system and keep all germs and bacteria at bay.
I’m all about easy things you can do every day to improve your immunity and feel amazing, so I decided to share with you my top homemade remedies to treat flu symptoms. Some of these might require ingredients you already have at home, or if not, a simple trip to the grocery store is going to be all you need.
Are you ready to kick the cold and all the viruses away? Then let’s begin talking about some of the best homemade remedies to treat flu symptoms ASAP.
1. Drink warm broth
Did you know that bone broth is one of the best homemade remedies you could use to treat flu symptoms? Whether you prefer broth that’s made from cattle or chicken, drink a cup of this beverage every day to hydrate your body and clear your sinus and nasal congestion.
Another reason you should consume warm broth every day is because it’s naturally high in protein and minerals like potassium and salt. When you’re sick, your body is dehydrated, and it overworks itself to replenish all the nutrients you’ve lost, such as minerals.
Add this beverage to your diet, especially when you don’t feel well, and get the necessary amount of protein and minerals back in. This will also help you regenerate those immunological cells, making you feel amazing and ready for every challenge that might come to you.
You can purchase premade versions, but make sure to choose ones with less sodium. However, since we’re talking about homemade remedies to treat flu symptoms, you can easily spend a few minutes boiling chicken or cow bones. By doing that, you’ll get the healthiest and most nutritious bone broth, and if you make too much, you can pop it in the freezer and use it when needed.
2. Rinse with salt water
Have you ever tried saltwater gargles when you were sick? This is one of the best homemade treatments you could try when you have a sore throat. Besides soothing your pain, this can also help you clean your mucus. Here’s how to use salt water to your benefit and feel incredible:
- grab a bowl and heat some water. Let it cool down, then take 8 ounces of warm water and stir it together with 1/2 tsp salt;
- take a sip and gargle it for about 10 to 30 seconds, then rinse;
- repeat the process 2 to 4 times, depending on how you feel.
3. Use a humidifier
This isn’t technically a homemade remedy but is a device you could easily get from Amazon (check this one out; I have one at home and I truly love it) and use every day to improve your immunity and get rid of the flu symptoms.
As you probably know, the virus can live longer when your indoor air is dry. Unfortunately, this could also facilitate the virus’s transmission, so if you live with other people, you’re more likely to pass bacteria on to one another.
However, there’s good news, because the air’s relative humidity usually decreases with lower outdoor temperatures, so it’s easy to solve this. If you use heaters and air conditioners a lot, your indoor air can get dryer and dryer.
This is where your trusted humidifier comes into play, and it’s going to make you feel a lot better and help lower the number of flu viruses in the air. Keep reading to discover many other amazing homemade remedies to treat flu symptoms ASAP!
4. Drink fluids and water
How much water do you drink in a day? Being hydrated is even more important when you suffer from an illness. Whether you get the stomach flu or the respiratory flu, you need to drink enough fluids to feel okay and kick bacteria out of your system.
Make sure you get all those fluids in because it can help you keep your throat, mouth, and nose wet while always removing mucus and getting rid of all phlegm accumulation.
Keep in mind that water loss is also a common side effect of fever and diarrhea, so here’s what you can drink to give your immune system a boost: water, sports drinks with electrolytes, coconut water, herbal tea, broth (I already told you to drink this, so follow this tip), soup, fresh juice, and make sure you don’t neglect fruits and veggies either because they’re rich in water and minerals.
You might think that this is TMI, but if you want to make sure that you’re properly hydrated, pay attention to your urine when you go to the bathroom. If it’s dark yellow, it means you need to increase your fluid intake. On the other hand, if it’s almost clear or a pale yellow, like lemon juice, you’re good to go.
5. Get that zinc in
Let’s continue with these homemade remedies to get rid of these flu symptoms ASAP, because they work like a charm. You probably know that zinc is essential for keeping your immune system strong and healthy. Consuming foods that are high in zinc will fuel your body with lots of germ-fighting white blood cells.
According to research, zinc is a wonderful nutrient to reduce the symptoms of the flu and cold, thanks to the fact that it helps you fight against germs and bacteria.
Doctors and nutritionists say that you should have a balanced diet so you can feel and look your best. You can quickly maximize your zinc intake by indulging in healthy and nutritious foods, such as chickpeas, red meat, lentils, shellfish, nuts, dairy, seeds, beans, and eggs.
However, if you can’t consume these foods, you can always talk to your healthcare provider and ask them to recommend a high-quality supplement.
6. Apply essential oils
Did you know that essential oils are some of the best natural remedies to treat flu symptoms? You can quickly give your immune system a much-needed boost with the help of these natural ingredients.
Sources say that there are lots of essential oils that can shield you from specific bacteria and viruses, and tea tree oil is one of the most popular. This special one is thought to have the power to stop the flu virus’s ability to multiply, which helps the body fight off the infection.
To maximize its effectiveness, you should use tea tree oil within two hours of infection so that you can prevent the flu virus from spreading.
My favorite way to use tea tree oil is through steam inhalation. I like to put 2-3 drops in a large bowl of hot water, then put a towel over my head and inhale the strong vapors for a couple of seconds until I take a break and come back on.
If you don’t like tea tree oil, there are many others you could use to improve your immune system, like peppermint, geranium, thyme, cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemon, and oregano oil.
While many essential oils can be used on the skin, combined with mixed oils such as olive or almond, you’d better read the instructions and ask the pharmacist before you do that.
Do you know any other homemade remedies to treat flu symptoms ASAP? Let us know in the comments below, and if you have any tips or requests from us, share them with us!
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