The symptoms of a cold or flu might be alleviated with a natural or alternative remedy. The following advice may help alleviate your discomfort.
1. Know When not to Treat Symptoms
Those irritating sensations you’re feeling are really a sign that your body’s immune system is fighting off an infection. A fever, for example, is your body’s attempt to eliminate infections by raising the temperature above normal. In addition, the rapid and efficient circulation of germ-killing proteins in your blood is enhanced by the hot, humid environment of a fever. Consequently, you may be able to recover more quickly if you are able to tolerate a little temperature for a day or two. Another useful symptom is coughing, which removes mucus from your lungs and other parts of your body that might transport germs. Even a runny nose should be handled with caution or avoided at all costs. The blood arteries in your nose and throat are restricted when you take a decongestant like Sudafed. In other cases, though, you’ll want to enhance blood flow to the affected region since it heats the area and helps secretions move germs out of your body.
2. Blow Your Nose Often (and the Right Way)
When you have a cold, you should blow your nose often instead of sniffling mucus back into your brain. Pressure may drive germ-carrying phlegm back into your ears, resulting in earache, if you blow forcefully. The easiest approach to blow your nose is to put a finger over one nostril and blow softly to clear the other one.
3. Treat That Stuffy Nose With Warm Salt Water
In addition to reducing nasal congestion, washing with salt water also removes virus and bacterium particles from the nose. In case you’ve never tried it, here’s a simple recipe:
In 8 ounces of distilled, sterilized, or previously boiled water, combine 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. In order to flush the nose, use a bulb syringe or a nasal irrigation kit. Using mild finger pressure, seal one nostril and shoot the salt mixture into the other nostril simultaneously. Drain it out. Afterwards, switch to the other nostril.
4. Stay Warm and Rested
When you initially become sick with a cold or the flu, it’s important to keep warm and get plenty of rest so that your body can focus its resources on fighting the infection. That’s a lot of work. So take a break and give your body a break.
5. Gargle
Gargling might soothe a sore throat for a short period of time. Gargle four times a day with half a teaspoon of salt diluted in 8 ounces of warm water.
Tea with tannin, for example, has astringent properties that may help soothe a tickly throat. Gargle with honey or honey and apple cider vinegar for a thick, viscous solution. Infuse two cups of boiling water with one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice and one teaspoon of honey; stir well. Before gargling, allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
6. Drink Hot Liquids
Congestion in the nose and throat may be relieved by drinking hot beverages, which also help to keep you hydrated. Hot toddy is an age-old treatment for insomnia if you’re too congested to sleep at night. Make a hot cup of herbal tea. Add a teaspoon of honey and a shot of whiskey or bourbon (approximately 1 ounce). Do not attempt more than one. The membranes will get inflamed and you will feel worse if you drink too much alcohol.
7. Take a Steamy Shower
The moisturizing properties of a steamy shower may help you relax, as well. If you’re dizzy from the flu, try a sponge wash in a hot shower while sitting on a chair nearby.
8. Use a Salve Under Your Nose
A modest amount of mentholated salve applied to the base of the nose might help expand the airways and soothe the sensitive skin. To ease the agony of having one’s nose rubbed raw, eucalyptus, camphor, and menthol all offer somewhat numbing components that may aid. If you put it into your nose, it will irritate your sinuses.
9. Apply Hot or Cold Packs Around Your Congested Sinuses
You may choose either a warm or a cool setting. Hot or cold packs may be purchased at the pharmacy or made at home. Using a moist washcloth, heat it for 55 seconds in a microwave to impart heat. (Test the temperature beforehand to ensure it’s not too hot.) A small bag of frozen peas may be used as a cold pack.
10. Sleep With an Extra Pillow Under Your Head
Congested nasal passages might be relieved by elevating your head. For a more comfortable sleeping surface, consider sandwiching a couple of pillows between the mattress and box springs.
11. Don’t Fly Unless Necessary
Your upper respiratory system already is under a lot of stress, and the shift in air pressure will only make it worse. Taking off and landing with your ears congested from a cold or illness might potentially damage your eardrums. Consider using a decongestant before flying, as well as keeping a nasal spray on hand for usage at the airport. In addition to chewing gum and swallowing often, this may assist alleviate stress.
12. Eat Infection-Fighting Foods
When you’re sick with the cold or flu, these meals may help you stay healthy.
• Bananas and rice are a natural remedy for a churning tummy and preventing diarrhea.
• Foods high in vitamin C, such as bell peppers
• To ease diarrhea, blueberries are rich in aspirin, a natural painkiller, which may decrease fevers as well as alleviate aches and pains in the joints.
• Beta-carotene-rich foods include carrots.
• Chili peppers have the potential to open sinuses and aid in the breakdown of pulmonary mucus.
• The cells that line the urinary system and bladder may be protected against germs by cranberries.
• Mucus in the airways may be broken up with the use of mustard or horseradish.
• Bronchitis and other illnesses may be helped by phytochemicals found in onions.
• Catechin, a phytochemical believed to have natural antibacterial and anti-diarrheal properties, is present in both black and green tea.
The common cold may be mistaken for more dangerous diseases, such as sinus infections, strep throat, meningitis, and asthma. If your symptoms are severe or don’t appear to be improving, make an appointment with your doctor very away.
