The winters and cold season are bad for many diseases and the flu is one of many. The wetness spreads more microorganisms and its most dangerous when the disease causing spreads more. The flu is caused by a virus known as the Rhinovirus. These viruses spread the cold and flu very fast through air and water. Although cold or flu is a common problem during the seasons of winter and cold, when they attack us, it might feel like an eternity to get better.
You might have already popped a lot many of those tablets and capsules, which are actually no good for a speedy recovery. Many of these medicines are bound to cause some side effects which can be more harmful than just the spreading of the flu.
Ayurveda is a medicine practiced since ages and it is believed that the wellness depends on body, mind and spirit. In Ayurveda the first treatment for any problems in to grow immunity of the body by building plenty cells that can fight the disease and give necessary strength.
Ayurveda medicine and practices have some of the best home remedies for flu and most of it are non expensive. In fact, some of them are so simple to use is that the ingredients could be bought for treating right from your kitchen.
Here are a few home remedies for flu and other cold problems.
1. Flushing the toxins out
While medicines specify that to keep body healthy drinking water is necessary, Ayurveda specify on this more and it is recommended for people with flu and cold health issues to drink plenty of hot water. The water flushes out all the toxins in the body and develops immunity to kill the flu causing organisms. Hot water is more safer for drinking purposes because when water is boiled it kills all the disease causing organisms that may be present in it.
2. Salt water Gargling
Salt water gargling is one of the best medicine for flu as it makes the mucus loosen up and melt its way out clearing the bacteria and other harmful microbes from the throat. Research and study have proved that people gargling with salt water have shown a lot improvement with their cold and flu conditions. Take a cup of warm water and mix ¼ or ½ tsp of salt to it. Gargle the entire water a few times until the water touch base to your throat. The salt water gargling relieves sore throat and itchy sensation, making it easy to breath and it also clears the respiratory tract. Three times a day of salt water can be beneficial for faster relief.
3. A dose of Basil leaves
Basil leaves also known as the Tulasi in Indian regional languages has strong medicinal abilities. These leaves are used in preparing medicines for many ailments. There is a rise in the people affected with Swine flu recently and developing countries like India has more and more cases of the Swine flu which has caused even death among people. But this disease can be prevented with careful daily steps, especially in the winter seasons when it spreads faster. Wash about five basil leaves and eat it everyday. The leaves improves your immunity and clears the lungs and throat. Eating basil leaves everyday prevents the spread of Swine flu.
4. Ginger to soothe your stomach
A flu can affect in various ways. Sometimes if it causes cold symptoms and fever while other times it can cause stomach upset leading to diarrhea, vomiting and other stomach relating problems. Ginger is one of the best home remedies for stomach flu, which is easy to consume. Ginger relieves pain of flu as it has a strong soothing agent nutrients in it that helps in clearing the stomach with bacteria and viruses. Ginger also clears the sinus mucus. Take a small piece of ginger, peel the skin and chew it for a while before swallowing. If you find the taste too hard on your tongue, you can always make a ginger tea which also soothes your throat. Ginger is very good for stomach flu and helps cures problems of diarrhea. A note of caution, do not mix ginger and an aspirin as it thins the blood.
5. A mix of Garlic
Garlic is one of the basic ingredient in most dishes. Garlic also has many health benefits and hence it is used in curing many diseases and is one of the main ingredients in the remedies of flu as well. Depending on the taste and an individual liking garlic can be consumed in different ways. Eating two to four flakes of garlic everyday early in the morning is very good to clear sinus, cold and flu symptoms. If digesting the taste is difficult the garlic flakes can be mixed with your food or with milk after crushing it nicely and can be consumed. The combination of ginger and garlic tea twice a day is one of the best remedies for flu, which soothes throat, stomach and clears the lungs.
6. A glass of Milk
Most of us have a habit of drinking a glass of milk before going to bed, which is very healthy. If you are not allergic to milk and turmeric, then these two can be a strong cure for flu symptoms. Mix a teaspoon of cooking turmeric to a glass of milk and boil it. Drink it lukewarm before you go to bed. Turmeric has medicinal abilities that clears the mucus from throat and sinus and makes it easy to breathe during sleep.
Some of these are the Ayurveda home remedies for flu, which are easy to do in the comforts of your home. But remember nothing gets cured within a few hours or in a short span. Continue at least two or three times every day for better results.