The flu is very contagious. Find out how to ease your symptoms with herbal home remedies.
In the years 1918 and 1919, flu was the epidemic of all time. There were not many ways to treat the flu. As a result, over 20 million people died. Influenza epidemics spread fast because it is a virus that is very contagious. Flu symptoms are much worse than a cold. The flu will affect your entire body. There is no cure for viruses, so most flu cases just run their course in about one to two weeks.
Influenza is spread easily by coughing and sneezing. The incubation period lasts for two to three days. More symptoms appear after that including chills and fever. Suddenly more symptoms, like sensitivity to light, headache, soreness, weakness, backache and fatigue appear. The flu virus infects the respiratory tract and will go from being mild to severe. You may have a dry cough, sore throat, scratchy throat, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a stuffy or runny nose. A person's temperature can reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit. When this happens, aches worsen and bacterial infection sets in. Pneumonia and bronchitis can become a complication. Sometimes ear infections are common, especially in young children.
If none of the serious symptoms appear the flu will last only a few days, but the weakness and feeling tired may hang on for a few weeks. If your immune system is lowered for some reason you are more likely to catch the influenza virus. If your job brings you into contact with sick people, you may be more prone to catch the flu.
The best thing to do is to keep from getting the flu in the first place. Stay healthy and keep your immune system in good condition. Good hygiene is important to prevent any disease, including influenza. Rest and proper nutrition are very important. Practice good hand washing and wash hands often. Keep your home clean to prevent spreading of the disease. Remember that a person with the flu can remain contagious for up to ten days.
If you get the flu, you can do things to ease the symptoms. Do not let yourself get dehydrated. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. The fluids will thin all of the nasal secretions. Warm water mixed with lemon and honey is good to loosen phlegm. Chicken soup works wonders for easing flu symptoms.
Keep the humidity at a higher level when you start getting flu symptoms. You can do this by using a humidifier or just by staying in a warm shower or bath for a longer period of time. High humidity will ease a sore throat and also loosen phlegm. If you do not loosen secretions and phlegm you will be more susceptible to getting bronchitis or pneumonia. To soothe a sore throat you can gargle with some warm salt water.
The flu can cause you to have a tickle in your throat and a cough. If you have some sugarless, hard candy (like peppermint), it will help ease the tickle. Be careful giving hard candy to small children, as it can be a choking hazard.
Rest is about the most important thing you can do when you have the flu. Along with warm fluids this treatment will help make you feel much better. Sip on some herbal tea and juices. Keep away from caffeinated drinks and alcohol. These will only dehydrate you more. Fever by itself will dehydrate your body, so fluids will help the flu virus move quickly through your system.
There is a flu vaccine doctors give, but people who are allergic to eggs can not take the vaccine. Antibiotics fight bacteria, but not viruses like influenza. Over the counter medications are over used by many. If you decide to use aspirin, remember do not give aspirin to children under the age of 18 years. There is a high risk of a disease called Reye's syndrome. Reye's syndrome can be life threatening.
Some of the most common homeopathic remedies used for the flu are aconite, gelsemium, eucalyptus, bryonia, and ipecacuanha. Only a homeopathic doctor can give you the correct dosage. Zinc (lozenges) is good to keep the flu symptoms down and may reduce those symptoms from 10 days to 3 days. Goldenseal has anti-viral and immune-stimulating actions. Echinacea will shorten symptoms when taken at the first signs of a cold or the flu. Remember that more is not better. Taking echinacea constantly over a long period of time will not help. Coneflower is another name for echinacea. Yarrow, elder, and St. John's wort are all herbs that can help.
Herbs may be used as dried extracts or tinctures. Teas can be made with 1 tsp. Herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered for 10 minutes (for leaf and flowers) or 20 minutes (for roots). Drink 4 cups a day of this tea. Mix a combination of echinacea (coneflower) and goldenseal with two to four of these other herbs. Drink 3-6 cups a day. If you make a tincture from these herbs take 50 drops three to six times a day.
When you have the flu you want to keep the lungs clear. Ginger tea is good for this. Take 2-3 slices of ginger and make a tea. Garlic (2-3 cloves) tea also helps. Ginger tea and garlic tea can be used in addition to the herbs above.
Vitamin C in doses of 500 mg. Four times a day will shorten flu symptoms by a day or two. Vitamin C works best for colds instead of the flu. Cough drops made from the herb horehound can be effective. Keep your consumption of sugar down. Sugar will decrease your immune systems ability to fight disease.
To reduce fever you can bathe in a tub of tepid to cool water. Keep a cool washcloth on your forehead. Drinking plenty of fluids will help keep fever down.
No matter what your favorite remedy is, the flu will still have to run its course. Keep your immune system high and in good condition. Save your energy by getting plenty of rest. Have plenty of warm non-dehydrating fluids. Get comfortable and lay back and read a book. That's the best thing you can do.
Note""
If you are pregnant your risk is increased for complications to the flu. See your doctor. If you have problems breathing, see your doctor.
