Ever had your mum screaming behind you, “put on your muffler”, while you rush to leave home in winters? Well she isn’t really nagging; you do need to protect yourself with adequate warm clothing because winters can be harsh. With weak immune system, a slight incoming of influenza virus, during fall or winter seasons, can make your system go ticking off failure alarm.

However in this article you will learn about 10 great home flu remedies coming in from grandma (joking), if you have been naughty enough to ignore mum.

1. Consume Lots Of Warm Soup Or Broth

Bone and meat broth or soup will transfer the goodness of proteins and minerals into your body, replenishing it with nutrients. Plus they are light weight and easy to gulp then digest; not so hard on your throat or stomach either.

Proper hydration is essential for you to fight against diseases and infections. Consumption of warm soup/ broth will also help you stay hydrated as it is comprising of 70% water and 30% other nutrients.

2. Increase Your Intake Of Zinc

Zinc mineral is vital for your immune system. It aids your body in the creation of white blood cells to combat germs. With the intake of Zinc your body will be able to fight the flu virus, and restrict it from multiplying.

It can be consumed through zinc inclusive multivitamins, separate supplements of zinc or from a healthy balanced diet inclusive of red meat, lentils, beans, seeds and nuts, eggs, dairy products, fish, and more.

3. Salt Water Gargles

Gargling 2-4 times a day for 10-30 seconds with warm salt water can help alleviate your flu. By salt water I am in no means suggesting to use the sea water, or anything close. It can be easily made by mixing ½ teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of water. It helps clear mucous and soothes a sore throat caused by severe flu.

4. Food With Medicinal Quality

Some food items like, ginger, honey, garlic, yogurt and vitamin C rich fruits can help you strengthen your immune system to be able to fight against flu. Incorporate these things to your diet and help your body cure flu sickness.

5. Essential Oil Application

Essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, geranium, thyme, peppermint, cinnamon oil can work as natural and herbal antibiotics. Some studies suggest that within two hours of getting inflicted with flu virus, if you apply tea tree oil incorporated with soap or lotion; it will help eliminate the multiplication of the virus and restricting it from harming us.

Similarly all essential oils can be used on the body or through air diffusers by anyone (excluding pregnant or breastfeeding women, infants, pets).

6. Herbal Tea

Herbs have natural antibacterial capabilities, some like green tea leaves, star anise, cloves, turmeric or dried ginger tea can effectively fight flu germs away. 

7. Steam Inhalation

Steam therapy uses warm water vapors to loosen mucous congestion. Breathing it in can sooth your sinuses, throat and lungs in flu. This can also relieve you from dry cough, tight chest and irritated nose.

The steam should not be of boiling water but a water state that is gradually producing steam upon heating.

8. Humidifiers

Room humidifiers help keeping your room warm and moistened, since dryness enables virus survival.

9. Up Size You Fluid Intake

Hydrating your body is essential to help it combat flu germs. Also moistening your mouth and throat can disable them from get soar in flu. Drinking things like coconut water, plain water and fresh juices can help nourish your body.

10. Rest

Sleep while you can. Your body needs to rest in flu, in order to muster strength and energy to fight against the virus. So the more you sleep and relax yourself, the better you will feel and be able to curb sickness.

With these tips and tricks you can fight against flu without having to make doctor visits. Try them and find out which one works best for you.