It’s hard to escape cold and flu germs during winter – unless you hide away from open plan offices, public transport, gyms and crowded places like shopping malls and cinemas! The next best thing is to boost your immune system and keep it strong.
Some of your options
A lot of people opt to get a flu jab every winter. It’s especially recommended for:
- those with weakened immune systems
- elderly people
- pregnant women.
Others tend to double up on immune boosters such as vitamin C and anti-oxidant supplements. You could also try natural home remedies, which are effective at keeping colds and flu at bay, and aiding a speedy recovery.
With that in mind, here are a few of the best home remedies and treatments for colds and flu.
Flu-fighting shooters
Ingredients:
- One part fresh lemon juice or orange juice
- Honey to taste – one or two teaspoons
- A quarter teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
- A good pinch of finely diced raw garlic
- A sprinkle of chilli flakes (optional)
Mix everything together in a shot glass and drink. All of the ingredients listed are known for their flu-fighting and immune boosting properties. When should you drink it? As soon as you first start feeling a cold or flu coming on.
Recovery tips
If you’re recovering from a bout of flu, then try the following. It will help ease symptoms and speed up recovery:
For a stuffy nose:
- try an aromatic steam inhaler. Simply add a few teaspoons of fresh grated ginger to a bowl of boiling water. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl, breathing deeply for a few minutes. Steam works wonders for opening up the nasal passages, and you can do this a couple of times a day until you’re feeling better.
For sinus headaches:
- try a hot compress. Simply microwave a damp towel for between 30 seconds and 1 minute, and place it across the top of your nose and cheeks for a few minutes.
To clear mucus from your nose:
- Mix quarter of a teaspoon of salt and the same amount of baking soda with 200ml of warm water. Use a bulb syringe or Neti pot (a great investment if you suffer from colds and flu every winter) and squirt the saline solution up each nostril, one at a time. Allow the liquid to drain and finish by blowing your nose. This isn’t a very comfortable treatment, but it’s one of the most effective – and it will definitely leave you feeling better at the end of it!