As we enter the colder season of the year, chances are many of us will get a cold or the flu. Luckily there are many inexpensive herbs that can help prevent or soothe the symptoms. They raise immunity and soothe any discomfort caused by one of the highly contagious influenza viruses out there.
Here are 7 powerful and inexpensive natural flu remedies to start building up your defenses to avoid repeated illness during these colder months.
1. Thyme
Thyme works as an excellent expectorant to clear out your sinuses and lungs when a common cold or the flu hits. So make sure to keep thyme essential oil or dried thyme at hand in case you fall ill. To loosen mucus in your chest or sinuses, steep 2 teaspoons thyme in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Drink as needed during the day until symptoms disappear. Or make a steam bath with dried thyme or thyme essential oil to help loosen mucus.
2. Licorice Root
Licorice root has strong antiviral properties that can fight off the flu or common cold. You could opt for licorice tea or supplements, but make sure to buy the real, organic thing. Most commercially available licorice products don’t even contain licorice but anise seed, which has a similar taste. Be careful if you take medicine, licorice can interfere with some of them.
3. Garlic
Garlic is one of the best immune booster out there. People who often include garlic in their diet are better in warding off viruses that cause the flu or common cold. If you can bear the taste chew on one clove of garlic once a day to keep the flu and cold away. If this is too much for you, mince the garlic and mix it with honey or add it in abundance to your daily dishes.
4. Echinacea
Echinacea is well known to boost immunity and shorten the duration of your symptoms once the flu or cold hits. But be careful, there are many products out there that contain Echinacea but with too little of the herb in it to do any effect. If you are allergic to ragweed or pollen, avoid Echinacea as you may react to it as well. The best way to use Echinacea is as a tincture. Take 3 droppers full of tincture in one cup of warm water or drink dried Echinacea as an herbal tea.
5. Elderberry
Elderberry extract shortness the duration of the symptoms and is very effective in fighting most of the flu viruses out there.
6. Sage
Sage is great to soothe a sore throat or cough. You could gargle with cooled sage tea, make a steam bath or enjoy a nice cup of hot sage tea with honey. Keep in mind that sage should be avoided when breastfeeding as it can dry up milk production.
7. Lemon Balm
Everybody loves the refreshing taste of lemon balm. It has strong antiviral properties and is well known to help fight or prevent colds and flu. Pairs well with chamomile or mint to enhance the effect. Or, for the younger patients, you could make a soothing and refreshing lemon balm soda.
FYI: Other Great Ways To Prevent Or Fight The Flu
Avoid dairy, alcohol, coffee, processed food, sugar , artificial sweetener, and refined grains
Up your vitamin C intake with citrus fruits, yellow bell peppers, guavas, dark leafy greens, kiwis, broccoli, berries, cooked tomatoes, peas, and papaya.
Start your day with lukewarm lemon water to boost vitamin C levels and immunity.
Get your daily dose of vitamin D. 15 minutes of natural sunlight a day will do the trick.
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar works great to treat the flu or common cold. Add 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of water and drink 3 times a day until symptoms disappear. Add fresh lemon juice for a better effect.
