Top 7 Homemade Remedies for Cold and Flu

Top 7 Homemade Remedies for Cold and Flu

Today cold and flu are very common which affect our respiratory system.There are more than 150 viruses that can cause cold, these viruses infect the upper respiratory tract . Some times colds are mistaken for Flu, but there are very distinct differences between the two, Flu is more severe with fever that ranges from 102 to 104 F, while cold is very rear to develop a fever. Cold last for about a week or so, but if treated in the early stages it can be reduced to a few days.For this home remedies can really be helpful which are given below.

1).Take Vitamin:

Regular intake of vitamin C-75 mg for adults and 35 mg for children-will prevent the common cold. If, however, a cold has already appeared, large doses of this vitamin will relieve the symptoms and shorten its duration.

2).Avoid solid foods:

During the acute stage of the cold, when fever is present, the patient should abstain from all solid foods and only drink fruit and vegetable juices, diluted with water.

3).Tamarind pepper:

Tamarind-pepper rasam is also considered an effective home remedy for a cold in South India. Dilute 50 mg tamarind in 250 ml of water. Boil the diluted tamarind water for a few minutes with a teaspoon of hot ghee and half a teaspoon of black pepper powder. This steaming hot rasam has a flushing effect, and should be taken three times a day. As one takes it, the nose and eyes water and the nasal blockage is cleared.
4).Lady's finger:

Lady's fingers are highly valuable in treating irritation of the throat and a persistent dry cough. This vegetable act as a drug to reduce irritation, swelling, and pain. About 100 gm of lady's fingers should be cut into pieces, and boiled down in half a litre of water to make a decoction. The steam issuing from this decoction may also be inhaled once or twice a day to relieve throat irritation and a dry cough.
5).Ginger:

Ginger is another excellent remedy for colds and coughs. About ten grams of ginger should be cut into small pieces and boiled in a cup of water. It should then be strained and half a teaspoon of sugar added to it. This decoction should be drunk when hot.
6).Lemon:

Lemon is the most important among the many home remedies for common cold. It is beneficial in all types of cold with fever. Vitamin C-rich lemon juice increases body resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the duration of the illness. One lemon should be diluted in a glass of warm water, and a teaspoon of honey should be added to it. This should be taken once or twice daily.

7).Stay warm and rested:

Stay warm and rested. Staying warm and resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. This battle taxes the body. So give it a little help by lying down under a blanket to stay warm if necessary.