With flu season at its peak as the weather changes, many of us are experiencing symptoms for the cold and flu. It is a busy time of the year right before the holidays; whether you are a student with approaching deadlines and finals or someone busy preparing for the holidays, having the flu definitely does not feel good. Here are some natural home remedies that might help you feel better. (If you experience any symptoms of the flu or COVID-19 the first thing you should do is to contact your healthcare provider. These tips should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider first!)
- Herbal Teas
Making tea with natural ingredients can help soothe a sore throat and reduce coughing. Ginger is one example. Just place a few slices of raw ginger root in boiling water and it’s ready! Echinacea root is another naturally occurring ingredient to make tea with. It contains flavonoids which can boost your immune system and reduce inflammation. Two other beneficial ingredients to add to your tea are honey and lemon which not only pair well with ginger but also have antibacterial properties to help cure a cold.
- Incorporate Vitamin C in your diet
Foods with vitamin C have been known for strengthening the immune system. Limes, oranges, grapefruits, leafy greens, green chilies, bell peppers are all good sources of vitamin C which can relieve upper respiratory tract infections and other illnesses.
- Warm sponge bath
Oftentimes you’ll feel dizzy when you have the flu, in which case standing up might not feel so comfortable in the shower. Run a hot bath in a tub. You can add Epsom salt and baking soda to reduce body aches and if you want to soothe yourself, try adding a few drops of essential oil, such as tea tree, juniper, rosemary, thyme, orange, lavender, or eucalyptus. If you don’t have a bath tub you can prepare the warm water in a bucket or container of some sort and sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath. Not only will this soothe your body but it is also using up much less water than a normal standing shower would use.
- Using hot or cold packs
You can use either a hot or cold pack around your congested sinuses. It is really easy to make your own at home! Just take a damp washcloth and microwave for 55 seconds or adjust to your liking. You can also buy reusable hot/cold packs in stores.
We hope you stay safe this flu season and if you do have the cold, we hope these tips will help make you feel better!
Written by Hanyia Ahmed, Class of 2022
Image source: Pixabay
Brr. Reading this is even chilling. Guess I’ll come back to your article when I start moping as usual.