5 choices of natural flu medicine to relieve cold cough

Flu or influenza can make it difficult for you to breathe freely, itchy throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and keep watery eyes. Although it is not a dangerous disease, untreated flu symptoms can interfere with activities and even cause complications. The good news is, there are many choices of natural cold remedies and simple remedies that you can try at home.

What natural remedies are effective against the flu?

Flu is an influenza virus infection that attacks the upper respiratory tract, such as the nose and throat. This virus can spread through droplet (saliva) carried by the air, physical contact with sufferers, or touching objects that have been previously exposed to the virus.

Basically, the body has its own defense system to stop viral infections. Therefore, in the case of an infection such as flu, the most important thing you need to do is increase your immune system.

This way, the body can fight off the infection and the flu symptoms can subside.

Generally, flu can heal on its own. However, if the symptoms are bothersome and you are reluctant to take cold medicine, there are a number of natural ingredients and activities that are believed to be effective remedies for treating the flu, such as:

1. Garlic

Eating garlic raw is the best way to deal with colds. Many studies have shown that garlic has antiviral effects that can prevent flu or colds and promote healing of diseases. The content of allicin oil (a compound that gives garlic its distinctive aroma) is also believed to be effective against colds and flu.

However, if you are uncomfortable or don't like the smell, you can mix chopped garlic in a variety of home dishes. For example, sauteed green beans. Don't forget to eat the garlic slices too!

You can also add a few slices of garlic, or finely grind a clove, to a bowl of hot water to steam your face for 10 minutes.

2. Honey

Apart from garlic, honey is also included as a natural cold remedy that has been known for thousands of years.

The natural antimicrobial properties of honey can help the body fight germs, including bacteria and viruses that cause flu. Honey also helps relieve the accompanying symptoms of flu, such as colds and coughs.

To relieve cold with garlic, dissolve 2 tablespoons of honey in a glass of warm water to drink every morning and evening.

There is one important thing to know, honey should not be given to babies who are less than 1 year old. Giving honey to babies actually increases their risk of getting botulism infection. So, avoid using honey as a natural cold remedy for children, huh!

3. Ginger

The health benefits of ginger are not in doubt. As a traditional cold medicine, ginger helps relax the muscles of the respiratory tract to relieve the nose and strengthen the body's resistance.

In addition, ginger also reduces nausea and warms the body that is not feeling well due to colds.

You can also combine ginger with turmeric. The combination of turmeric and ginger can actually strengthen the body's immune system from various diseases, including flu.

This is based on a study published on Emerging Infectious Diseases in 2009 that turmeric can reduce 90 percent of the ability of the influenza virus to duplicate in infected cells.

4. Herbal teas

Several types of herbal teas are believed to contain antiviral and antibacterial properties. By consuming herbal teas, the body has a better immune system to fight viral infections, including the influenza virus.

You can make herbal teas made from the following ingredients as a natural remedy for colds:

• green tea
• ginger tea
• anise tea (star anise)

In addition, of course, you can also mix brewed herbal tea with honey. The benefits of honey combined with herbal tea will provide maximum benefits as a natural remedy for your flu symptoms.

5. Essential oil

Other herbal ingredients that you can use as natural remedies to treat flu symptoms areessential oilor essential oil.

An article contained inAntiviral Researchfound thattea tree oilable to fight flu virus infection by slowing down the virus reproduction.

Other types of essential oils that also have antiviral and antibacterial properties are:

• oilcinnamon
• peppermint oil
• eucalyptus oil
• lemon oil
• Oregano oil

Other ways to treat flu naturally

Not only using the natural remedies above, you can also try other simple tips to relieve flu symptoms, such as:

1. Gargle salt water

If you have cough symptoms during the cold, gargling with salt water can help reduce itching and dryness in your throat. This method at the same time provides a relief effect in the throat for a while.

To make a salt mouthwash solution, you only need to dissolve 1/2 tablespoon of salt in warm water. Gargle for a few minutes, but be careful not to swallow the salt water solution.

Gargling with salt water should be done 3-4 times a day so that it can be more effective at reducing the cough reflex.

Apart from salt water, you can also soothe a dry throat by gargling with a mixture of lemon juice and warm water.

If your throat feels very sore from the sourness of the lemon, an alternative is to inhale Lozenges, which is a lozenge that contains menthol to give your throat a warm, moist feeling.

2. Drink lots of water

Drinking lots of water is the most potent ancestral natural cold remedy and is often recommended by modern doctors. Yes! Try drinking a glass of warm water every night before bed and in the morning after waking up.

Warm water can help thin mucus that clogs the nasal passages, prevent dehydration, and relieve inflammation in the tissues of the nose and throat.

In addition, drinking more will also help keep the mucous membranes along the airways moist so that irritants or dirt don't easily irritate the respiratory tract and cause coughing symptoms.

3. Take a warm shower

Like drinking warm fluids, taking a warm bath can also have a soothing effect on the airways.

The warm steam that is inhaled can help dissolve the excess secretion of mucus along the airways caused by a viral infection. That way, the flu symptoms will be less and less. In addition, taking a warm bath can also help reduce nasal irritation due to colds in the flu.

However, don't shower or bathe in warm water for too long, as this can dry out your skin and irritate it easily.

If you have a high fever that reaches a temperature of more than 37.5 degrees Celsius, you should not immediately wash your body with warm water. Use a washcloth soaked in warm water to clean every part of your body.

4. Sleep with a high pillow

Getting plenty of rest is also needed to speed up healing. Therefore, immediately rest your body when you start experiencing persistent flu symptoms.

Before going to bed, you can also take the time to take a warm shower so that your respiratory tract can feel more relieved so that flu symptoms don't interfere with sleep time. When lying down, use several layers of pillows to support your head.

Placing the upper body in a position higher than the lower body allows airflow from the nose to the lower airway. This of course can reduce symptoms at night so that you sleep better.

5. Put on humidifier

Use humidifer can help both moisturize and clean the surrounding air. Dry air is easier to trigger flu symptoms because it contains more irritants and debris that can trigger coughs and colds when inhaled.

When the air in the room is cleaner, you can breathe more smoothly and sleep better without worrying about waking up due to flu symptoms.

When all the natural treatments listed do not help relieve flu symptoms, you can use a variety of drug options from pharmacies, such as decongestants or antihistamines. If the symptoms continue to get worse and don't go away, consult a doctor to get the right treatment.