Fight winter blues, treat flu at home

There definitely is something in the air, everyone is sick with the flu and it’s not just the cold weather.

Being sick, even when you are in bed and off work, is not fun. The combination of body aches, fever, chills and nasal congestion can be enough to make anyone miserable.

Boosting our immune systems is usually the first step; it helps ward off common cold and flu or at least helps our bodies fight illnesses.Nurse practitioner, Melusi Lukhele said; “Our immune systems help to keep bacteria, toxins and viruses at bay and prevent us from getting sick from the diseases they cause.

He shared few home remedies that can help alleviate cold and flu symptoms and get you back to normal.

The nurse also said if you still feel sick after a few weeks and have trouble breathing, feel faint or experience other severe symptoms, get medical help soon.

Ginger

The health benefits of ginger have been touted for centuries, but now we have scientific proof of its curative properties.

A few slices of raw ginger root in boiling water may help soothe a cough or sore throat.

Honey

Honey has a variety of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Drinking honey in tea with lemon can ease sore throat pain. Research that honey is an effective cough suppressant, too.

You should never give honey to a child younger than a one-year-old, as it often contains botulinum spores. While they’re usually harmless to older children and adults, infants’ immune systems aren’t able to fight them off.

Garlic

Garlic contains the compound allicin, which may have antimicrobial properties. Adding a garlic supplement to your diet might reduce the severity of cold symptoms.

According to some research, it might even help you avoid getting sick in the first place.

More research needs to be done on the potential cold-fighting benefits of garlic. In the meantime, adding more garlic to your diet probably won’t hurt.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays an important role in your body and has many health benefits.

Along with limes, oranges, grapefruits, leafy greens and other fruits and vegetables, lemons are a good source of vitamin C. Adding fresh lemon juice to hot tea with honey may reduce phlegm when you’re sick. 

While these drinks may not clear up your cold entirely, they can help you get the vitamin C that your immune system needs. Getting enough vitamin C can relieve upper respiratory tract infections.

Vapor rub

Some old-fashioned topical ointments, such as vapour rub, appear to reduce night-time cough in children older than 2 years. Just one or two applications before bed can help open air passages to combat congestion, reduce coughing and improve sleep.

Vapour rub is gaining traction among some doctors who encourage parents to avoid giving over-the-counter cold medicines to young children because of unwanted side effects.

However, if you want to avoid getting sick altogether, you can take steps to proactively strengthen your immune system, like eating healthy, sleeping well and exercising.