10 flu remedies to beat the bug
With winter well and truly on us now, it's only a matter of
time before the flu will begin circulating at mother's group, preschool,
big school or work. If you've been too slow in getting your flu shot
for the season, or don't feel comfortable bringing out the big guns of
antiviral medicines, there are simple ways you can help protect yourself
from the flu virus.
Read our top ten ways you can reduce the
length and severity of flu, if you catch it, and other simple remedies
to make you more comfortable while you get through this too-common
winter bug.
Echinacea
When it comes to cure-alls,
Echinacea is a natural wonder drug! Numerous studies have shown that
Echinacea contains active substances that boost the immune system,
relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and
antioxidant effects. Particularly effective in fighting flu and cold
viruses, Echinacea taken at the first sign of a cold or flu bug will
reduce the length and severity of the illnesses and reduce the number of
symptoms.
Liquid elderberry extract
Sold at chemists as
Sambucol, liquid elderberry extract fights flu directly. Studies has
shown that taking it immediately after the first symptoms of the flu
appear will significantly reduce the length and severity of the flu. It
seems that the compounds in the extract boost the immune system and stop
the flu virus from sticking to cells so it is removed from your body
faster.
Fluids
Drinking plenty when you have the flu is
key to keeping your discomfort to a minimum, without continuously
replacing the fluids you are losing through fever and mucous build-up,
you can quickly become dehydrated which can delay your recovery as well
as make you feel so much worse than you should. Cool drinks can be
soothing when you have a fever and hot drinks can be soothing when you
have a sore or tickly throat. Whatever you choose, just drink, drink,
drink!
Blow your nose
It's true, when it comes to mucous,
it's better out then in. Blowing your nose regularly when you're snotty
is so much better than sniffing the mucous back and swallowing it. Do be
careful, though, to blow gently as blowing your nose hard when you have
the flu or a cold can cause acute ear pain.
Equalise your ears
One
of the common symptoms of the flu is having blocked and sore ears as
the fluid builds up in the middle ear. Equalising your ears regularly -
pinching your nose with your fingers and gently blowing air into your
nose for the count of 10 then releasing your nose, and then repeating
this five times while you have flu or cold symptoms will keep the fluid
moving and significantly reduce the chance of a secondary ear or sinus
infection. Equalising will also provide temporary relief from the
uncomfortable stuffed-up feeling many cold and flu sufferers
experience.
Gargle
Gargling is a great way to tackle
throat ailments, everything from a ticklish throat to a
it's-too-painful-to-swallow throat. Whether you choose a gargle from the
chemist or simply use warm water and salt, gargling will soothe and
disinfect your throat membranes and moisten a dry sore throat.
Steam inhalations
Steam
inhalations help thin the mucous that's making you stuffy and clogging
your chest. Several times a day, pour boiling water into a bowl - you
can add a couple of drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil into the water
too. Place a towel over your head and then lower yourself so that your
face is over the boiling water and the towel is creating a tent around
you. Breathe the steam in deeply and slowly until the water begins to
cool. As steam is generally good for getting mucous moving, hot showers
also have a health benefit.
Chest rubs
There is something
so automatically comforting about rubbing something menthol-y on your
chest and back when you're sick that it has to be good, right? Happily,
chest rubs do have a medicinal use beyond making you feel nurtured.
Eucalyptus, camphor and menthol rubs all work to soothe chest congestion
and the vapours that are released from contact with your warm skin will
help clear your congested head.
Elevate your head when sleeping
Aside
from the general aches and pains that come with the flu, chest and head
congestion can make it really difficult to get the rest you need when
fighting a bug. The best way to get and stay comfortable in bed when you
have the flu is by elevating your head with an extra pillow or two. By
keeping your head and chest higher than the rest of your body, you'll
avoid them 'filling up' when you lie flat. Coughs too can be improved at
night by simply sleeping with your head in an elevated position.
Cool compresses
If
you're having trouble controlling your fever, use cool (not cold)
compresses on the pulse points around your body - the wrists, neck and
throat - to cool your blood as it passes close to the suface of your
skin. You can also find relief from blocked sinuses by laying cool
compresses across the painful areas of your face.
