18 aids to ease cold and flu ills

Runny nose, scratchy throat, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes. Sound familiar? These are all classic symptoms of colds and flu, two common ailments caused by viruses. Unfortunately, there is no cure for either one. Part of the reason is that viruses have a knack for mutating quickly, which is why new strains of colds and flu make the rounds every year. Antibiotics are no help—they have no effect on viruses. Over-the-counter cold and flu medicines suppress some symptoms but often have undesirable side effects. Home remedies can be a healthier, safer alternative.

Colds and Flu 

Though they share some symptoms, colds and flu are caused by different types of viruses. So, how can you tell which illness you’ve got? An old rule of thumb states that if your symptoms tend to be from the neck up, you’ve probably got a cold. With the flu, you may have a runny nose and sore throat, but on top of that, expect body aches, fever, and fatigue. Colds tend to last longer, but the flu generally causes more discomfort.

Upper Respiratory Rescue

Hydrate 
“Drink plenty of fluids” is the mantra. Water is best, but clear broth, green and herbal teas, and diluted juices are also good choices.

Try Chicken Soup 
It’s a timehonored treatment backed up with modern research. Chicken soup— especially recipes rich in garlic and onions—does indeed provide more than comfort. Some ingredients fight inflammation or thin mucous secretions to help relieve congestion.

Rinse the Sinuses 
Nasal irrigation can help relieve congestion caused by colds and flu. Even just spritzing your nasal passages with saline nasal drops several times a day can make a difference.

Suck on Zinc
Clinical trials have shown that sucking lozenges that contain zinc (in the form of zinc gluconate or zinc acetate) may help shorten the duration of a cold by several days. Follow package directions. Be aware, though, that zinc lozenges can leave a bad taste in your mouth or make some people nauseated.

Go Herbal 
Andrographis and echinacea are two herbs that top the list of cold and flu treatments. Research supports Andrographis paniculata’s effectiveness in relieving the symptoms of colds, flu, and some other upper respiratory conditions. Preparations of the dried herb are available in many health food stores and online. Follow package directions. Echinacea has been a popular herbal treatment for respiratory ailments for centuries. Echinacea tinctures (also available at health food stores), used as directed, tend to be more effective than teas for treating the symptoms of colds and flu.

Cough 

Coughing is the body’s way of trying to keep the airways clear of mucus and other substances. People suffering from colds and flu often develop “productive” coughs that help get rid of mucus from the back of the throat or the bronchial tubes. A nonproductive or “dry” cough is a dry, hacking—often tickling— cough that usually doesn’t bring up anything. Dry coughs can sometimes develop after you’ve recovered from a cold, and they may linger for several weeks.

Slough Off a Cough 

Reach for Horehound
If you have a productive cough, try oldfashioned horehound drops. The bittersweet herb has expectorant properties.

Suck Slippery Elm
For centuries, Native Americans used slippery elm to treat coughs and other respiratory ailments. Slippery elm contains mucilage, a substance that, when mixed with water, becomes a slick gel. Slippery elm lozenges can soothe irritated throats and dry coughs.

Sip Syrup 
Here’s a home remedy that has withstood the test of time: Mix 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice with 1 tablespoon honey. Heat gently until warm. Take 1 teaspoon every hour, as needed.

Swig Ginger Tea 
Ginger has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Ginger tea can soothe throats made raw by coughing. Add about a tablespoon of freshly grated, peeled ginger to a cup and fill with just-boiled water. Steep 10 minutes, strain, and sweeten, if desired. As an alternative, try thyme tea.

Rub On a Rub 
Chest rubs can help loosen congestion. Mix 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil with 2 teaspoons almond oil. Rub some of this mixture on your chest and cover with a hot water bottle or a heating pad wrapped in flannel or a soft thin towel. Leave on 20 minutes. Repeat once or twice a day.

Sore Throat 

A sore throat often goes hand in hand with a cold or the flu. The feeling is unmistakable—a painful, raw scratchiness that intensifies when you swallow. Sore throats usually resolve on their own in a few days. But there’s no need to suffer while you wait. Try the following remedies to ease throat discomfort.

Thwart a Sore Throat 

Reach for the Salt
Cure Gargling with salt water is a simple and effective sore throat remedy. Stir a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water until the salt is completely dissolved. Take a mouthful, gargle, and spit. Repeat hourly.

Sip or Gargle With Thyme
Thyme tea, made by steeping a handful of fresh thyme leaves in a cup of justboiling water for 10 minutes, is also a time-tested sore throat remedy. Sip hot thyme tea to soothe a sore throat, or transform it into an effective gargle by adding a teaspoon of salt to a cup of cooled tea. Stir until the salt is dissolved and gargle with small mouthfuls. Spit; don’t swallow.

Sip Sweet and Sour 
Another old remedy calls for mixing equal amounts of honey and apple cider vinegar (try 2 teaspoons of each) in a cup of hot water. Take frequent small sips of this mixture to ease sore throat pain.

Pop a Lozenge 
Zinc lozenges can soothe a sore throat as well as help shorten the duration of a cold.

Laryngitis 

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx or voice box. Straining your voice from loud talking or shouting can bring it on. It can also develop as a result of irritation or infection during a cold or a bout of the flu. Although persistent hoarseness can be a sign of a more serious medical condition, temporary (acute) laryngitis typically clears up in a few days. If you’re stricken with temporary silence, the following simple remedies may help.

Talk Back 

Breathe Moist 
Air Inhale steam by pouring just-boiled water into a large bowl, draping a towel over your head and shoulders, and leaning over the water (keep your face at least 12 inches from the water’s surface).

Keep Your Throat Moist
Take steps to stay hydrated. Sucking on soothing lozenges, chewing gum, and sipping warm water can help, too.

Drink Tea 
A variety of herbal teas can soothe a stressed throat. Try making a cup of tea from the herb mullein. Place 2 teaspoons dried mullein leaves in just-boiled water. Steep, strain, and sweeten, if desired. Drink a cup one to three times daily.

Spoon in Honey and Cayenne
Mix together a teaspoon of lemon juice, a teaspoon of honey, and a pinch of cayenne pepper in the bowl of a large spoon. Put the spoon in your mouth and slowly suck off the mixture, letting it coat your throat. Repeat two or three times a day.