Abstract
Flu (Influenza) is one of the common ailments which make people sick during the winter season. The flu is not caused by the cold air in winters as most people often believe — it is a communicable respiratory illness which is caused by viruses. It affects the nose, throat, and lungs.
Flu is an airborne disease — it is a viral infection that spreads through the air. There are more than 200 viruses which can potentially cause the flu – which is generally understood as a cold and flu – during winters.
The Main Flu-Causing Viruses Are
- Rhinovirus
- Enterovirus
- Human parainfluenza virus
- Human metapneumovirus.
Approximately 50% of the cold and flu cases in winters are caused by Rhinoviruses.
The flu gets transmitted easily from a sick person to a healthy person during winters because of the increased proximity between people due to long hours of indoor stay. The cold weather forces people to keep indoors most of the time, and facilitates the transmission of the flu-causing viruses; thereby leading to increased incidences of the illness during winters.
People suffering from the flu may experience diverse symptoms. Some of these symptoms include fever/chills, body pain, muscle aches, cough, nausea, fatigue, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, blocked sinuses, and congested airways.
The flu is usually a self-diagnosable and self-treatment illness. The symptoms of the flu can last for up to 14 days, with the severity of the symptoms being at its peak for around 3-4 days. In case the cold and flu symptoms last for more than 10 days without any sign of improvement or if the symptoms are very severe, it is important that the patients should consult a doctor immediately. In severe cases, flu patients may require anti-viral treatment in order to lower a possible risk of complications.
Natural Remedies to Cure Flu during Winters
The Flu is mostly treated with rest and fluid intake, in order to enable the body to fight the viral infection on its own. In addition, the illness can also be effectively managed with the help of some time-tested natural remedies which can provide relief to the patients. The Natural Remedies for Flu typically comprise certain beneficial natural ingredients that have proven anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and immunity-boosting properties.
Some of The Most Beneficial Natural Ingredients for Managing the Flu During Winters Are
1.Honey
Regular use of honey can ease the symptoms of cold and flu because honey can fight viruses and bacteria, owing to its anti-bacterial and anti-microbial actions. Honey is believed to have cough-suppressant properties also. To benefit from this natural ingredient for managing the flu, honey and lemon can be mixed in hot water to treat cough or relieve sore throat pain.
2.Ginger
Ginger has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and curative properties, due to which it is an excellent natural ingredient for treating the symptoms of the flu during winters. Drinking hot water with a few slices of ginger steeped in it can provide relief to patients suffering from the flu, by managing symptoms like cough, congestion, fever, sore throat, and nausea.
3.Garlic
Garlic is another beneficial natural ingredient for treating the flu because of its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial properties. The presence of ‘allicin’ compound in garlic helps reduce the severity of the flu symptoms. People suffering from the flu can benefit from this natural remedy by eating a few cloves of raw garlic regularly for some days or by adding garlic to their daily diet.
4.Mustard
Mustard is considered an extremely effective natural ingredient for managing the flu since ancient times. It is well-known for its anti-inflammatory or anti-microbial actions. To ward off cold and to relieve congestion and other flu symptoms, a few drops of mustard oil can be rubbed on the chest and sniffed into the nose regularly.
5.Probiotics
Probiotics are infection-fighting and health-friendly bacteria and yeast, which are found in foods like yogurt that contain abundant protein and calcium. Probiotics can treat the symptoms of the flu because of their ability to alleviate upper respiratory infections, boost the immune system and improve gut health.
6.Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an effective antibiotic and anti-viral ingredient which can effectively manage the symptoms of cold and flu in a natural manner. The use of cinnamon powder with honey is usually recommended for patients suffering from the flu because the cinnamon-honey combination can bring down the fever, and also manage cough and congestion.
7.Vitamin C
The intake of fruits and vegetables containing Vitamin C is also an effective natural remedy for treating cold and flu. These fruits and vegetables – including orange, lemon, grapefruit, avocado, berries, and leafy greens, etc. – can provide protection against respiratory infections and other illnesses during the winter season because they can keep the immune system healthy.
8.Zinc
Zinc is known for its ability to shorten the duration of the flu and relieve the symptoms of the illness. Zinc can prevent the replication of the rhinovirus in the body and maintain the health of the immune system. Patients suffering from the flu can benefit from this remedy by adding zinc-rich foods – including legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs, and whole grains, etc. – to their daily diet.
9.Menthol
Menthol – which comes from the mint plant – is widely known for its anti-bacterial and pain-relieving actions because of which it is used in several vapor rubs. People suffering from the flu can use menthol for steam inhalation or as a vapor rub, to clear blocked sinuses and congested airways, and manage the cough.
10.Essential Oils
The symptoms of cold and flu can also be managed naturally with the help of essential oils which contain natural antibiotic, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties. These oils – such as eucalyptus oil, lemon essential oil, peppermint oil, oregano oil, etc. – can provide relief to flu patients by easing throat or chest congestion, and clearing blocked sinuses. To benefit from this natural remedy, people suffering from the flu can either apply essential oils on the chest or use them in a diffuser
Conclusion
The above-listed natural ingredients comprise safe and time-tested remedies for managing the flu during the winter season. These natural remedies can be extremely beneficial for people suffering from the flu, especially when used under the guidance of an Ayurveda expert. The properly-guided use of the aforementioned natural ingredients can treat the flu effectively, as well as significantly reduce the risk of potentially serious complications.
