How do you know whether you have common cold or the flu? It’s important to know the difference between flu and cold symptoms. If your symptoms are neck—congestion, sore throat, sneezing, coughing, you probably have a cold. If you have all those symptoms plus a fever or more, headache, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, you’re more likely to have the flu. Home remedies for cold and flu
Home remedies for cold and flu
You can catch a common cold from another person who is infected with this virus. This usually happens by touching a surface contaminated with cold germs — a computer keyboard, doorknob, or eating utensil, for example — and then touching your nose or mouth. You can also catch a cold by encountering secretions someone with a cold has sneezed into the air. Home remedies for cold and flu
Following are some home remedy for cold and flu
- Ginger – is also one of the excellent remedy for cold. Ginger tea, prepared by adding a few pieces of ginger into boiled water before adding the tea leaves, is also an effective remedy for cold and fever. Taking twice daily can helpful to prevent cold and flu. Home remedies for cold and flu
- Honey – a powerful immune system booster and it also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. A daily dose of honey can help you to feel energetic and stay healthy. If you do develop a sore or scratchy throat, honey will soothe and help heal. Use it in your tea, coffee, plain hot water or by itself. You can even gargle with honey in salt water when the mixture is at room temperature. It is not recommended to Kids below one year.
- Lemons – are the most important among the many home remedies for common cold and fully loaded with vitamin C, which increase body resistance and decreases toxicity and reduce the duration of illness. Add lemon juice to warm water or make hot or cold lemonade with honey to stay well, build resistance to cold and flu, and speed up healing if you do succumb. Home remedies for cold and flu
- Garlic – contains antiseptic and antispasmodics properties besides several other medicinal virtues. Garlic soup is an old remedy to reduce the severity of a cold and should be taken once daily. This may also help others keep their distance from you (unless they’re attracted to the smell of garlic), preventing further spread of the virus.
- Peppermint tea – is laced with nutrients that help the body fight off illness. It also can act as an expectorant, helping the body to cough up mucous. Home remedies for cold and flu
- Salt water – If you do get a sore throat, gargle with half a teaspoon of salt mixed with 1 cup of warm water, four times per day. For nasal washing, use a neti pot or bulb syringe with a quarter teaspoon salt in 1 cup of warm water. Home remedies for cold and flu
- Steam – can help to relieve stuffiness and congestion. Take boiled water in pot and then slowly breathe in the steam. You should be careful as steam can cause burns. If the steam makes your nasal passages burn, pull your head back slightly and breathe in more slowly. Home remedies for cold and flu
- Turmeric – is an effective remedy for cold and throat irritations. Taking half teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder mixed in 30 ml of warm milk and taken once or twice daily is useful remedy for these conditions. In case of running cold, smoke from the burning turmeric should be inhaled it will increase the discharge from the nose and provide quick relief. Home remedies for cold and flu
If you have cold and also have fever you should avoid solid food and drink only fruit and vegetables juices diluted with water. After the cold symptoms are over, you can gradually start well balanced diet, consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables and fruits. Home remedies for cold and flu
Many home remedies, when used regularly and properly, can be your body’s best – and least expensive – defense against colds and the flu, also helping to minimize their impact if they do take hold.
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