Flu is a viral illness which is highly contagious that tends to occur in epidemics during winter. It is spread through coughs or sneezing of infected person and also by direct contact with contaminated things like handkerchiefs. Symptoms occur within 24-48 hours after exposure to the infection developing sudden fever, shivering, headache, dry cough, body ache, runny nose, and sore throat. Person will begin to feel better after 4-5 days, but may feel tired and continue coughing for several weeks. Sometimes, flu leads to an infection such as ear infection, sinusitis, and pneumonia.
Here are the top 9 home remedies for flu
Lemon and honey :
Add one teaspoon of lemon and one teaspoon of honey in one glass of warm water. Drink once or twice daily.
Basil :
Drink a tea made by boiling one teaspoon basil leaves (tulsi) in water.
Honey :
Give a half-teaspoon of honey to children ages 2 to 5; 1 teaspoon to children ages 6 to 11; and 2 teaspoons to those 12 and older, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends. Do not give honey to babies younger than 1 because of the risk of infant botulism.
Long Pepper :
Take half teaspoon long pepper powder, mix with two teaspoon of honey and half teaspoon of ginger juice, this mixture should be taken 3-4 times a day. It will help to avoid complications related to larynx and bronchial tube.
Ajwain :
Try chewing ajwan mixed with 1 teaspoon natural organic sugar. This will relieve dry cough.
Turmeric :
Boil 1 cup milk with teaspoon turmeric and teaspoon ginger and drink this at night. This will relieve the cough due to pharyngitis or laryngitis.
Ginger :
Ginger tea is helpful in curing flu. Prepare a tea by adding 2-3 slices of ginger and consume it at regular intervals.
Onion and Honey :
Mix equal amounts of onion juice and honey. Consume 3 to 4 teaspoon of this mixture daily.
Fenugreek seeds : Prepare decoction by boiling one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in half liter of water, till it is reduced to 1/3rd. Add a one teaspoon of fresh ginger juice and honey to flavor. Drink this mixture once a day.
Diet for Influenza
A typical diet for influenza patients should be very high in fresh fruits and veggies. Because of a loss in appetite, you may find it difficult to consume the required amounts of fruits and vegetables. Therefore, you could stick to fruit juice, fresh vegetable juice and vegetable soup or broth. Chicken soup is also known to be very effective in managing the symptoms of the flu. Follow this diet for the first three or four days. After the juice and soup diet, you can start including milk to your diet too.
Given below are some of the foods that should be included in a diet for influenza :
- Leafy greens like spinach cabbage, Brussels sprouts and kale
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Onions
- Grapefruit
- Oranges and orange juice
- Lemon
- Peppers
While some of the foods help alleviate influenza and its symptoms, others are known to aggravate it. Given below are some of the food items that should be eliminated from a diet for influenza :
- Spicy food
- Sugar and sweets
- Red meat or processed meat
- Refined flour and bakery products
- Alcoholic beverages
- Coffee, aerated drinks and other caffeinated beverages
