Natural remedies for the flu

At this time of year, a lot of us fall victim of a flu or cold. Whilst it’s always better to prevent rather than cure, sometimes, even those who are strongest get sick. If you have a cold/flu or you can feel that your immune system is weak, these natural remedies are easy to make and are nature’s medicine.

First thing in the morning:

Anti-inflammatory elixir

This anti-inflammatory bomb is perfect to drink first thing in the morning to strengthen your immune system, kill bacteria and as a natural anti-inflammatory and painkiller. Did you know that turmeric is one of the ingredients in painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen?

Ingredients:

• Juice of half a lemon
• 1 glass of lukewarm water
• 5 cm of grated fresh ginger
• 5 cm of grated fresh turmeric (or 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder)
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• A pinch of salt
• A few drops of oil (coconut, olive or sesame)
• 1 teaspoon honey

Optional:

• 1 grated garlic clove

Preparation:

• Warm the water in a pot until it becomes lukewarm.
• Squeeze the juice of half a lemon and mix it in a mug with the lukewarm water.
• Grate the ginger and turmeric into the mug and add all other ingredients and mix well.
• Drink up!

Note: You can make this as a tea at any time of the day as well.

During the day:

• Drink as much water as you can. Keeping hydrated is important to eliminate toxins from the body.

• Drink fresh ginger tea: warm water in a post with freshly sliced ginger. When the water has come to a boil and has become more yellowish, it’s ready to drink. You can add some lemon, honey and cinnamon to it.

• Drink Turmeric Latte.

• Eat warm vegetables soups.

• Eat vitamin-C rich foods like lemon, oranges, kiwis, avocado and broccoli.

• Cook with garlic as it has anti-inflammatory properties, strengthens the immune system, kills bacteria and eliminates toxins. It’s best to eat it raw, but if you don’t like it, you can cook with it instead.

• Echinacea is a natural painkiller and anti-inflammatory. You need to dilute a few drops in water.

• Aside from these natural remedies, it’s also important to rest as much as possible for your body to recover.

• Make sure you keep warm.

• If you’re skin is getting dry, try this natural face mask to hydrate your skin.

• If your nose is very congested, boil water in a large pot and once it comes to a boil, remove it from the stove, add some drops of the essential oil of your choice (lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary or thyme). Place your head above the pot and cover your head with a towel to breath in the vapour from the warm water for 10-20 minutes.

Try these natural remedies. They are effective and very good for you health!