Natural Flu Remedies
Home Remedies for the Flu

These natural flu remedies will help you feel better fast. If you're looking for a flu cure, you've come to the right place. Here's a list of the best home remedies for the flu.

We've all experienced the flu at some time in our lives. It can be a real pain to say the least. Here are some other things you can do to get rid of that pesky flu bug.

Click here to share your flu remedies.

Herbs

There are a number of herbs that can be used as natural flu remedies. Most are easy to get from your health food store or even your local grocery store.

• Echinacea
• Goldenseal
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Lemon balm
• Catnip
• Peppermint
• Elderberries or Elder flowers

Ginger Tea

One of my favorite things to do have on hand when I have the flu is ginger tea. I grate a piece of ginger a couple of inches long into a large pot of water. I add a few slices of lemon and then bring the pot to a boil, turn off the heat and let it steep covered for 20 minutes. I drink that delicious gingery tea all day. Ginger is used as a home remedy for flus and colds in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine.

Elder Flower and Peppermint Tea

Put 1 ounce of dried elder flowers and 1 ounce of dried peppermint in a teapot and pour 1/2 pint of boiling water over the dried herbs. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes. The elder flowers help boost the immune system There's a chemical in them called antivirin that makes the flu virus unable to attack healthy cells in the body. Peppermint promotes sweating and eases congestion.

Echinacea and Goldenseal

Both of these herbs are immune system boosters that are commonly used as natural flu remedies. They are often sold in capsules, tinctures and teas together. While there is little scientific evidence that they work, these herbs have been used as home remedies for years. They work best to fight off colds and flus in their very early stages. My mother swears by this remedy. Take it in pill or tincture form every 3 to 4 hours to knock out the flu before it really takes hold. Goldenseal can sometimes cause mild uterine contractions. Don't take it if you're pregnant.

Catnip Tea

Catnip does more than drive your kitty crazy. It's a powerful herb for kicking the flu. It brings down fevers, promotes sweating and acts as a decongestant. Put 1 teaspoon of catnip in a teapot and pour 1 1/2 cups of water over it. Cover it and let it steep for 15 minutes. Add honey to the tea if you need to. When you have the flu this tea is great to drink before going to bed. Not only does it act as a decongestant, it also will make you sleepy.

Garlic

Garlic is used in natural flu remedies because it has powerful antiviral properties. Eating it in foods will not only help you get over the flu, but if you eat garlic on a regular basis, it'll prevent you from getting the flu in the first place.

Other Recommendations

The best natural flu remedies involve prevention. Do your best not to get that flu in the first place. Even if you have the flu already it's important to take these steps to help yourself recover.

Sleep

Get enough sleep. Most people need about 8 hours, but if you're already sick you'll need more. Not getting enough rest will wear down your immune system making you vulnerable to illness. When you're sleeping is when your body has time to heal itself.

Hydrate

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid sweet drinks and sodas. Drink water, herbal teas and orange juice. The vitamin C in orange juice will help boost your immune system. Many people take loads of vitamin C when they're sick. I don't do this because most vitamin C pills you buy in stores contain synthetic vitamin C that can't be properly used by the body. I just load up on fresh orange juice to get my vitamin C.

Wash Your Hands

Keeping your hands clean will help prevent you from getting the flu in the first place. We touch so many germ ridden surfaces daily. Keeping your hands clean and away from your face will help you avoid spreading those germs to yourself.

Eat Healthy Food

Eating right will keep your body strong, healthy and ready to fight off the flu. Eat only real unprocessed foods and make sure you eat plenty of fruits and vegeables. Fruits and vegetables contain lots of vitamins that will keep you healthy.

Destress

Stress wears down your immune system. Try mediation, yoga, tai chi or chi gong to help you tackle your stress. Even doing something as simple as stopping and taking a few deep breathes a couple times a day will help you destress.

What's Your Favorite Flu Remedy?

What cold and flu remedies have worked for you? Which ones haven't worked? Tell us about it. Your contribution will become a part of this site.

Scroll to the end of the page to see other people's remedies.

Read Other Visitors Remedies

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

I hope these natural flu remedies helped you out. Check out my Free Home Remedies page for more great natural remedies.