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Aaaah-choo! The 2020 flu season has already begun, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s gotten a stronger start than usual. Since October 1st, there have been nearly four million cases of the flu in the U.S.!
No one wants to be stricken with sickness, but for some people, the flu shot isn’t an option. Why not try some natural flu remedies instead? Take a look at some of the most popular and effective ways to bolster your immune system and to find relief if you do come down with a bug.
In This Post:
1. An Ounce of Prevention
Naturally, it’s always better not to get sick in the first place. Take these precautions to keep viruses at bay:
- Eat heathfully. A strong immune system starts with good nutrition. Lots of colorful vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein should make up the majority of your diet. Steer clear of processed and fast foods, white flour, and sugary treats.
- Drink plenty of water. This is another easy way to keep yourself healthy. Remember that herbal tea and plain seltzer count toward your daily goal of 64 ounces.
- Get good sleep. A body that isn’t properly rested is more vulnerable to viruses, and therefore more prone to illnesses like the common cold and the flu.
- Supplement your diet with natural products. Consider taking a vitamin C drink, zinc and echinacea tablets, and elderberry gummies.
It’s also smart to avoid germs as best you can. Stop shaking hands for the season, use your elbow to push open public restroom doors, and use hand sanitizer often.
2. Grandma Knows Best
Down for the count? Congested, sneezing, and feeling like you could sleep for a week? One of the first things to do is to reach for that chicken soup — just like Grandma recommends.
If you can’t stomach noodles, chicken, and veggies, plain bone broth will work just as well. The steam from your cup will help clear congestion, while the broth’s protein can get to work rebuilding immune cells. It also delivers nutrients like potassium and sodium, which are often depleted during a bout of the flu.
3. Try Essential Oils
There is some evidence that tea tree oil can slow or stop the reproduction of the flu virus. This is particularly true if it’s taken early in the illness’s development, so add a few drops of this essential oil to your hand soap.
Other essential oils have natural antibiotic and antiviral properties as well. Try cinnamon, peppermint, eucalyptus, geranium, lemon, oregano, and thyme. A diffuser works well to deliver the oil, or you can mix some in with a neutral carrier oil and ask your partner for a massage.
4. A Spoonful of Honey
Many types of honey work as antivirals, but manuka honey, which is native to New Zealand, is especially effective. Take a teaspoon every few hours as soon as you feel the first tickle in your throat.
Using honey to sweeten herbal tea is a one-two punch for the flu. Green tea with turmeric, cloves, and ginger is delicious and warming, and may help you feel better faster.
Natural Flu Remedies Make Sense
For the most part, these suggestions — and the other natural remedies that you can use to show the flu virus who’s boss — are inexpensive and easy to access. Drinking chicken broth or tea is also a lot more enjoyable than all the over-the-counter liquids out there!
What’s your favorite natural remedy for influenza? Follow us on social media and tweet your opinions!
