Colds, Flu, & Fever

Many cold and flu symptoms arc similar sore throat, cough, congestion, runny nose, and general achiness but flu is a more severe ailment. Sometimes there is a fever. If body temperature reaches over 39.4°C (103°F), or if a fever persists for more than three days, consult a doctor. Both colds and flu are caused by viruses. The symptoms of a cold or flu are created by the body's attempt to rid itself of the virus; natural remedies support rather than suppress the body's efforts.

Prevent colds and flu
Astragalus is a Chinese herb with immune-strengthening properties. Take it in the early autumn for at least a month. Simmer a teaspoon of dried, shredded astragalus in 300m1(10fl oz) of water for 15 minutes in a covered pot. Strain, and drink 500ml (16fl oz) daily. Or take a quarter of a teaspoon of astragalus extract in a little warm water twice daily

Boost immune function
During a cold or a bout of flu, take half a teaspoon of echinacea extract three times a day for up to ten days to boost your immune system.

Hot teas and broths
When you are battling a cold or a bout of the flu, drink plenty of hot herbal teas, vegetable broths, and chicken soup. Hot liquids make good decongestants, and as they heat the throat. they slow the reproduction cycle of the virus.

Eat garlic
Eat one clove of finely chopped raw garlic twice a day.To avoid stomach upset eat garlic with meals.

Fight flu with elderberry
In Europe, elderberry is traditionally used for treating flu; compounds in elderberries disarm the flu virus and prevent it from replicating. Take one tablespoonful of elderberry syrup three times a day to help fight the flu

Chase chills with ginger
Ginger tea loosens nasal congestion, eases a sore throat and relieves chills
3 teaspoons fresh grated ginger root
500m1(16fl oz) water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
Simmer the ginger and water in a covered pot for ten minutes. Remove from the heat strain, and add lemon juice and honey. Drink as desired.

Stop a virus with zinc
to shorten the duration of a cold, suck on zinc gluconate lozenges. Cold viruses reproduce in the throat, and zinc kills them on contact Take 15 to 25mg of zinc gluconate in lozenge form every two hours (up to ten lozenges a day) for up to one week

Relieve congestion with essential oils
Try a herbal steam inhalation using tea tree and eucalyptus essential oils. Tea tree has antiviral and antibacterial properties. and eucalyptus helps drain mucous congestion.
2 litres (3.75 pints) boiling water
2 drops tea tree essential oil
2 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Pour boiling water into a heatproof bowl and add the oils. Cover your head and the bowl with a large towel. Inhale the steam for ten minutes, without burning yourself.
Relief from muscle aches and chills

Epsom salts are rich in magnesium, a natural muscle relaxant Eucalyptus oil eases muscle aches and its steam will temporarily relieve sinus congestion.
250g (8oz) Epsom salts
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Mix the ingredients and add to a hot bath. Soak for 20 minutes to relieve the aches and chills of a cold or flu.

 

Fight flu with herbal tea
A refreshing brew of elderflowers and peppermint helps to lower the fever associated with flu and to decongest the airways.
500m1(I6fl oz) boiling water
1 teaspoon dried peppermint
1 teaspoon dried elderflowers
Pour the boiling water over the herbs in a teapot, cover and steep for 15 minutes. Strain, add honey if desired, and drink four cups a day.

Ease sore throat pain
To ease sore throat pain, gargle several times daily with warm salt water, which has mild astringent and
antiseptic properties. Dissolve threequarters of a teaspoon of sea salt in 250ml (8fl oz) of warm water. For more suggestions, see Sore Throats

Soothe cold symptoms with massage
A chest and back massage with a blend of eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint essential oils helps relieve chest congestion, opens the sinuses, and eases the achy feeling that often accompanies a cold or flu.
125ml (4fl oz) almond oil
20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
20 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil
Mix the ingredients in a tightly capped bottle and shake well.
Apply one teaspoon or more to the chest and back and massage into the skin.

Menthol cough drops
To ease the nagging cough that accompanies a cold or flu, suck on cough drops made with menthol, which has an antispasmodic action.

Cough relief
To alleviate a cough associated with a cold or flu, take a thyme syrup.
250ml (8fl oz) boiling water
2 tablespoons dried thyme
125ml (4fl oz) honey
Pour the boiling water over the thyme, cover, and steep for about 20 minutes. Strain, and add honey. If necessary, warm the tea over a gentle heat to completely dissolve the honey. Store in a dark glass bottle.
Take one teaspoon as often as you need. For some more suggestions, see Coughs

Cool down with yarrow
Yarrow reduces inflammation and increases circulation to the surface of the skin.This promotes sweating and helps to reduce a fever without suppressing the immune system.
500m1(16fl oz) boiling water
3 tablespoons dried yarrow
Pour the water over the yarrow, cover, and steep for 20 minutes. Strain, and add the tea to a tubful of tepid water. For a sponge bath, dilute the tea with an extra 500ml (16fl oz) of tepid water before using.

Herbal tea for lowering a fever
Ginger, peppermint, and elderflower stimulate circulation and encourage perspiration, helping to lower a fever naturally and safely.
250ml (8fl oz) boiling water
2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger root I teaspoon dried peppermint I teaspoon dried elderflower
Pour the water over the herbs. Cover, and steep for ten minutes. Strain, sweeten if desired, and drink hot, up to a litre (1.75 pints) a day

Drink fluids
Drink plenty of fluids during a fever. At least 2.5 litres (4 pints) or more daily of pure water, mild herbal teas, and diluted fruit juices will keep your body well hydrated.

Relieve chills with hot baths
Epsom salts ease muscle aches, and ginger essential oil is warming.
250g (8oz) Epsom salts
5 drops ginger essential oil
Mix the ingredients and add to a hot bath. Soak for 15 minutes.

Lavender relief
Lavender has anti-inflammatory and cooling properties. Add three drops of lavender essential oil to a basin of tepid water Soak a sponge in the water basin and wipe the forehead, the back of the neck, the insides of the elbows, the backs of the knees, and the soles of the feet