Being sick, even when you're at home in bed, is no fun. The combination of body aches, fever, chills and nasal congestion can be enough to make anyone feel terrible.
There are plenty of home remedies that can alleviate the symptoms and get you back to normal.H
owever, if you have trouble breathing, a rapid heartbeat, feel weak or have other severe symptoms, see your doctor.
Cold and flu remedies
Chicken soup
Chicken soup may not be a cure, but it's an excellent choice when you're sick. Research suggests that enjoying a bowl of chicken soup with vegetables can slow down the movement of neutrophils in the body.
Neutrophils are a common type of white blood cell. They help protect your body from infection. When they move slowly, they remain concentrated especially in the areas of the body that need healing the most.
Studies have shown that chicken soup has been effective in reducing symptoms of upper respiratory infections in particular. Low-salt soup also has excellent nutritional value and helps keep you hydrated. It's a good choice no matter how you feel.
Ginger
The health benefits of ginger root have been touted for centuries, but now we have scientific evidence of its healing properties. A few slices of fresh ginger root in boiling water can help soothe a cough or sore throat.
Research suggests it can also relieve the nausea that often accompanies the flu. For example, one study found that just 1 gram of ginger can "alleviate clinical nausea of various causes".
Get yourself some ginger tea and start feeling its calming benefits.
Honey
Honey possesses a variety of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Honey added to lemon tea can ease sore throats. In one study, researchers found that giving children 10 grams of honey before bedtime reduced the severity of cough symptoms.
Children slept better, which also helps reduce cold symptoms.
You should never give honey to a child younger than 1 year, as honey often contains botulinum spores. Although they are usually harmless to older children and adults, infants' immune systems are not able to eliminate them.
Garlic
Garlic contains the compound allicin, which may have antimicrobial properties. Adding a garlic supplement to your diet could reduce the severity of cold symptoms. According to some research, it may even help you avoid getting sick in the first place.
More research is needed on the potential cold-fighting benefits of garlic. In the meantime, supplementing garlic into your diet probably won't hurt you.
Echinacea
Native Americans have used the green parts and roots of the echinacea plant to treat infections for more than 400 years. Its active ingredients include flavonoids, chemicals that have many therapeutic effects on the body, such as boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation.
Research results on the plant's effectiveness in fighting the common cold and flu are mixed. But one suggests that taking echinacea can reduce the risk of the common cold by more than 50%.
It can also reduce the duration of a cold. If you are a healthy adult, consider taking 1 to 2 grams of echinacea root or green parts as a tea for up to a week.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays an important role in your body, with many health benefits. Together with green lemons, oranges, grapefruit, green vegetables and other fruits and vegetables, lemons are a good source of vitamin C. Adding fresh lemon juice to hot tea with honey can reduce phlegm when you are sick. Drinking hot or cold lemonade can help, too.Although these drinks may not get rid of colds completely, they can help you get the vitamin C your immune system needs. Enough vitamin C can improve upper respiratory tract infections and other illnesses.
Moisture
Flu thrives and spreads more easily in dry environments. Increasing humidity in the home can reduce exposure to this flu-causing virus.
Increased humidity can also reduce nasal inflammation, making it easier to breathe when you are sick. Temporarily adding a cool mist humidifier to your bedroom can help you feel more comfortable.
This is especially true in winter, when the dry heat inside can exacerbate symptoms. Adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil might also help to stimulate your breathing.Remember that the water used
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