Humid environments and inhaling steam can help keep respiratory passageways moist and keep mucus flowing. It is typically safe to use cinnamon in foods. More Health. Learn about other ways to clear the sinuses here. People can hydrate by eating certain foods and drinking plenty of clear liquids, such as water or drinks with electrolytes.Learn about what foods to eat to stay hydrated here. Learn more about the risks of exercising while sick here. By Rachel Feltman. Learn about the differences between influenza A and B here. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. People can find most probiotics in fermented products or supplements. If it’s urging you to spend all day in bed, do. In fact, studies have found that honey is equally as effective compared to a common cough suppressant ingredient. You can buy pre-made saline solution or make it by mixing salt and lukewarm sterile or distilled water. Honey also has antibacterial … Homeopathic remedies: Arnica D6 (to keep your blood thin and relieve of the aches and pains of flu). Aching muscles, especially in your back, arms and legs 3. It is highly contagious and can be life threatening for some people. Make a tent. 10. Prescription antiviral drugs may ease symptoms of the flu when taken shortly after you get sick. Line up a caregiver. The best natural cold and flu remedies 1. Pregnant people should avoid using cinnamon. Dry, persistent cough 6. Probiotics, especially Bifidobacterium strains, seem to help improve immune responses to influenza by changing gut bacteria levels or types and reducing inflammation. The antioxidants in vitamins C and D may help reduce the severity and lengths of viral respiratory infections. It seems like everywhere you look, folks are getting sick and struggling with the symptoms. The color red. “If there is an effect [against colds and flu], it’s a small one,” he says. UV rays also trigger a person’s skin to make vitamin D. Learn about the best foods for vitamin C here. Here are the cold and flu remedies that actually work. Nasal congestion 8. December 21, 2017. In one study, researchers gave a particular brand of elderberry extract to people sick with influenza B. David Kiefer, MD, clinical instructor of family medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, recommends adding a drop or two of peppermint or eucalyptus oil to the water for extra phlegm-busting power. 6. Why do some people believe health misinformation? A 2020 in vitro study concluded that 0.625–5 milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml) of aqueous dandelion extract reduced the risk of infection by the influenza A virus in human lung cells. There is no sure way to avoid the flu, but there are many ways to minimize exposure, build up immunity, and reduce the risk of infection. 4. Another is to use a steam vaporizer or a humidifier. How can you be sure you’re getting enough fluid? Don't press on with daily chores even in the face of severe cold or flu symptoms. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is an herb that has a long history of use as a folk remedy for colds, sinus infections, and the flu. Rest is “another way of supporting the body’s ability to fight infection,” Blackwelder says. Try nasal irrigation. Learn more about home remedies for colds and the…, Flu is a respiratory illness that a virus causes. Talk to a doctor about severe symptoms or those that do not respond to treatments. Flu symptoms can cause a world of misery, from fever and cough to sore throat, nasal congestion, aches, and chills. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Personalized Treatments for Your Cold Symptoms, Cold & Flu Treatment: Medication and Home Remedies for Children Slideshow, Childhood Illnesses Every Parent Should Know. You may want to stay away from caffeinated drinks, because caffeine is a diuretic. Many human clinical studies have shown that echinacea, a traditional herbal cold remedy, … Honey is a natural cough treatment. On the forehead and nose, a warm cloth is a great way to relieve headache or sinus pain. Get a good night’s rest with these remedies. To ease stuffiness and post-nasal drip -- and perhaps cut the risk of getting a sinus infection -- some doctors recommend nasal irrigation. It’s important to … High doses of oral zinc oxide supplements contain high levels of antioxidants that may reduce the length and severity of influenza infections. This is … All rights reserved. Influenza A is a common type of the flu virus. Repeat this as often as necessary to ease congestion. A cold remedy used in many cultures, taking in warm liquids, such as chicken soup, tea or warm apple juice, might be soothing and might ease congestion by increasing … The participants took the extract daily for 3 days. Drink up. Need a quick way to open clogged airways? According to the Centers... Stay hydrated. People with the flu can quickly become dehydrated as their body works to fight off the influenza virus. So be sure to get enough fluids. Young children, pregnant and breastfeeding people, and people taking medications or who have additional health concerns should also talk with a doctor if they think they have the flu. “I believe that chicken soup does help with symptoms,” says Reid B. Blackwelder, MD, professor of family medicine at East Tennessee State University in Kingsport. Initially, the flu may seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. A traditional remedy used by Native Americans, echinacea is also known as purple cone flower. Clean it often to make sure it’s free of mold and mildew. Other strains of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. brevis, may also enhance the action of natural virus-killing cells. Fever over 100.4 F (38 C) 2. Pregnant people should avoid using dandelion. Some doctors, including Kiefer, swear by lozenges containing slippery elm. However, several at-home, natural remedies may help reduce symptom severity or illness time. This may help reduce flu symptoms in some cases. A 2020 article in Phytotherapy Research stated that spirooligananone B had significant beneficial effects against the influenza A virus. Star anise also contains shikimic acid, which scientists use to create the antiviral medication Tamiflu (oseltamivir). If you have got trouble breathe, have a fast heartbeat, feel faint, or experience different excessive signs and symptoms, get clinical help as soon as possible. Fatigue and weakness 7. Be a sucker.Cough drops, throat lozenges, and hard candy can be surprisingly effective at easing a cough or sore throat. And although a cold can be a nuisance, you usually feel much worse with the flu.Common signs and symptoms of the flu include: 1. Try a warm compress. Symptoms resolved in 46.7% of participants who took the extract but in only 16.7% of participants who took a placebo. Learn about 10 benefits of dandelion here. There is currently no strong scientific evidence that any natural product is useful against the flu… After all, the flu was scary—and there was no vaccine or cure for it yet. Learn more…, © 2004-2021 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. If you still experience flu after some weeks, make an appointment with your medical doctor. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with the flu should stay at home and try to get as much rest as possible. This is because there is a risk it may contain a poisonous types of star anise, such as Japanese star anise. When used for treatment… People can take dandelion as a supplement or eat it as a salad green, in wine, soups, or teas. Seek emergency care if the following symptoms occur: People with a high risk of developing flu complications should also talk with a doctor if they get the flu. “Good sleep cycles help the immune system work well, so it’s important to get your full eight hours of sleep each night,” Schaffner says. Learn more about how Tamiflu can affect children. This article discusses several natural flu remedies and highlights those that children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid. Starting in 2010, the Federal Government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended annual flu vaccination for all people aged 6 months and older. Pregnant or breastfeeding people should avoid taking certain supplements or consuming too much of the active ingredients. If a friend or family member offers to help, even if it’s only to stop by and check in on you, count your blessings -- and take them up on it. A few natural remedies that researchers have shown may be effective include: Getting proper rest is one of the easiest ways to help give the body a chance to recover. In many cases, however, simple home remedies may be all you need for relief of mild to moderate flu symptoms. Nasal rinses. The root of star anise contains several antiviral compounds. Gargling with salt water helps get rid of the thick mucus that can collect at the back of the throat, especially after you've been lying down. Learn more about having a fever while pregnant here. “But some [of the benefit] is clearly emotional. Other natural remedies with potential antioxidant or antiviral compounds include: There are no specific at-home, natural remedies for pregnant people with the flu. Learn more about how to…, Knowing how to care for a person who has the flu can help speed their recovery, ease their symptoms, and prevent the infection from spreading. People at high risk of flu complications include young children, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Natural and home remedies include the BRAT diet, fluids, caffeine-free teas, cinnamon, and turmeric. It's important to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than... #3 Treat … Drinking water and other fluids is even more important when you have the flu. All rights reserved. 9. You can buy a neti pot in health food stores and drugstores, or opt for a saline squeeze bottle. It can also help ease stuffy ears, Kiefer says. They should do this within 2 days of developing symptoms. Believe it or not, those annoying symptoms you're experiencing are part of the... #2 Blow Your Nose Often (and the Right Way). Your urine should be pale yellow, almost colorless. The researchers proposed that the extract may have reduced viral replication rates. Flu season is here! People with the flu can quickly become dehydrated as their body works to fight off the influenza virus. One good strategy is to indulge in a steamy shower several times a day -- or just turn on the shower and sit in the bathroom for a few minutes, inhaling the steam. Water is fine. Being sick, even when youre home in bed, isnt fun. Some studies show that taking CVT-E002 may reduce the severity of flu symptoms and their duration. Be a couch potato. Pregnant people should avoid using licorice. But was mom right? Studies have shown that chicken soup, both canned and homemade, actually relieves cold symptoms such as aches, … If you feel nauseated, try taking small sips of liquids -- gulps might cause you to throw up. © 2005 - 2021 WebMD LLC. Flavonoids give plants their color and have many health benefits. People at a higher risk of developing complications include: Talk with a doctor before using high doses of natural remedies or taking them for more than a few days or weeks. Influenza viruses cause the flu, an infectious respiratory disease. These include spirooligananone A and B. Do echinacea and vitamin C really help a cold? Green tea has catechins, a type of antioxidant which may help prevent the ­infection. The Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 brought with it a slew of folk-medicine remedies. According to an older article, xanthones from the milkwort species Polygala karensium may help treat and prevent disease due to the flu viruses. Rinsing the nose and sinuses with a neti pot or other nasal rinse or device may help reduce flu symptoms by removing viral particles and other debris from the nose and sinuses. In preliminary lab studies, elderberry extracts have been found to fight off viruses. There are no specific natural remedies for influenza infections in children. Learn more about the risks and benefits of licorice here. It just makes you feel better having someone make soup for you.”. Elderberry also helps to dry up mucus and bring it up from the lungs. Milkwort contains antiviral compounds called xanthones. Headache 5. Try taking a long, warm bath or shower or using a personal humidifier. You pour salt water into one nostril and let it run out the other, clearing out your nasal passages. Cinnamon bark is one of several ingredients in a traditional Japanese medicine called maoto, which may have an antiviral effect. Learn more about the benefits of elderberries here. These natural, effective remedies for colds and flus will help you stay healthy. This is true... Get plenty of rest. Peel and slice half an inch to … Sip some soup. But not all doctors agree that chemistry alone explains the soup’s apparent benefits. Anti-vaxxers on Facebook recommend "natural" flu remedies. 3. Warm, clear liquids can be very soothing and help relieve congestion. Humidify. Do all 10 or pick a few to stick to, but remember to remain consistent … If it’s telling you not to exercise, don’t. Sip warm liquids. More remedies … William Schaffner, MD, chairman, department of preventive medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn. David Kiefer, MD, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle. Getting proper rest is one of the easiest ways to help give the body a chance to recover. Here, we discuss its symptoms and how to treat and prevent this highly contagious virus. Some foods and supplements that may help fight the flu include: Elderberries contain immune-modulating and antioxidant compounds called polyphenols. They may also improve the body’s immune response. No way. A study published in the journal Chest showed that chicken soup may help with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections like the flu. Sprinkle some … Drape a towel over your head, close your eyes, and lean over the water under the “tent,” breathing deeply through your nose for 30 seconds. Zinc is naturally present in the following foods: The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) indicate that people should avoid applying topical zinc products in the nose because this may result in permanent loss of sense of smell. Parents and caregivers should not give star anise to their children, including infants, toddlers, and older children. Reid Blackwelder, MD, professor and program director, department of family medicine, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Kingsport. 2. Learn all there is to know about toddlers and flu here. According to a 2015 article, licorice root extract contains antiviral and immune-mediating compounds, including nearly 300 flavonoids. That being said, it’s always best to get a leg up on this virus, so let’s go over some of the top natural flu remedies … How about drinking alcohol? “When you have the flu, the last thing you want to do is drink alcohol,” says William Schaffner, MD, chairman of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tenn. “It makes you sleepy, and flu does that already.”. Vitamin C. While vitamin C hasn't … The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that most everyone get an annual flu shot. Last medically reviewed on October 19, 2020, Most people can treat colds and the flu with rest and home remedies, such as garlic, honey, and zinc. That includes American ginseng and Asian ginseng, specifically the extract CVT-E002. Aaron E. Glatt, MD, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, Mercy Medical Center, Rockville Centre, N.Y. University of Michigan Health System: “Saline Nasal Sprays & Irrigation.”. Swish and spit. Elderberry is high in antioxidants called anthocyanins, which have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Flu symptoms can cause a world of misery, from fever and cough to sore throat, nasal congestion, aches, and chills. These 10 Natural Cold and Flu Remedies will help your body heal naturally without the use of over-the-counter drugs. How to treat a cold or flu … Antiviral medications may also reduce the severity of symptoms and speed up the recovery process by a day or two. WHO ‘strongly’ against hydroxychloroquine use for COVID-19 prevention. 2. Bring a pot of water to a boil and remove it from the heat. Herbal tea with honey can soothe a sore throat. 8. Latest. A caregiver can’t lower your temperature or cure a sore throat, but “having someone to tuck you into bed and bring you fluids is very comforting,” says Blackwelder. 1 year of COVID-19: A doctor's perspective, Alzheimer’s: Aerobic exercise may reduce cognitive decline, How to care for someone with the flu: Home care and treatment, high fever, greater than 101.4°F, or any fever in children under 12 weeks of age, symptoms that improve, then worsen or return. Days later, a boy dies. For ginger tea, fresh ginger is most helpful for upper respiratory infections and flu — however, for nausea, there is research supporting the use of dry ginger." Ginseng root may reduce upper respiratory infections, including the flu. A person can find vitamin C in many different foods, including citrus fruits and foods and drinks fortified with vitamin C. A person can find vitamin D in fatty fish, cheese, egg yolks, and fortified dairy products. Stomach flu (gastroenteritis) is an infection of the stomach and intestines with symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Learn more about how zinc benefits health here. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. Many other types of berry contain these too. Could transforming alpha cells into beta cells treat diabetes? Vaccination is the best protection against getting the flu. Others recommend zinc lozenges to help shorten cold symptoms, though Schaffner is not convinced of their effectiveness. But there are ways to feel better. According to a 2016 article, antiviral compounds found in the roots of Echinacea species seem to help improve immune responses to influenza A. 7. “I wish their effect were as good as their taste is bad.”. Currently, there is no cure for the flu, and a person will usually get well on their own. Possibly. So are fruit juices and electrolyte beverages. There are various types of influenza, including A and B, which are the most common. Hydration. Listen to your body. People should talk to a doctor if they have concerning symptoms or symptoms that do not respond to treatment. Breathing moist air helps ease nasal congestion and sore throat pain. The flu can leave you dehydrated, especially if have vomiting or diarrhea. Learn about some of the best humidifiers available here. An evidence-based guide to surviving your holiday bug. Learn about what foods to eat to stay hydrated here. The four year old is the second child in Colorado to die from the flu this flu season. Try adding some spices to your food to potentially reduce inflammation* — while giving your meal an extra kick of flavor: Add some turmeric, ginger, and garlic to soup. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Chills and sweats 4. Natural flu remedies Rest. Natural treatments can help ease symptoms and reduce recovery time at home. But there are ways to feel better. Cough Medicine: Should You or Shouldn’t You. Learn…. 5. The article also indicates when to see a doctor. Health. In one study, drinking echinacea hot drinks was as effective as the antiviral medication oseltamivir and reduced the risk of adverse side effects or complications. However, doctors often recommend that infants that are breastfeeding receive vitamin D supplements. 12 Natural Treatment Tips for Colds and Flu #1 Know When not to Treat Symptoms. Austin's number one recommendation for recovering quickly from a cold or flu virus is staying hydrated. 10 Natural Remedies for Flu Symptoms Drink water and fluids. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Research has shown that elderberries can reduce symptoms of the flu and that a cranberry … Always follow the manufacturer’s advice on how to clean the device. “When you lean over a bowl of hot chicken soup and the vapor gets up your nose, you feel better,” Schaffner says. And don’t skimp on nighttime sleep. The combination of body aches, fever, chills, and nasal congestion can be enough to make anyone miserable. There is no cure, but most people usually get better on their own. Berries contain polyphenols, which have antiviral properties and may help fight flu viruses.