Green tea is known to have many properties that can help keep you in top health and therefore better equipped to ward off cold and flu viruses. The jury is out on how many cups of tea is optimal, but 2-3 per day is often recommended. If you have cold or flu symptoms (or feel they’re coming), consider 3-4 cups of green tea per day to speed up the elimination of those nasty bugs and give your body’s defenses an extra jolt.
The health benefits of ginger have been touted for a long time. Soak several slices of fresh ginger root in hot water and sip to improve your health or to relieve a cough or scratchy throat.
Honey is known to boost the immune system. A daily dose of honey can help you feel energetic and stay healthy. It also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties; If you develop a sore or itchy throat, honey will soothe it and help it heal. Use it in your tea, coffee, hot water, or on its own. You can even gargle with honey (and lemon) in salt water when the mixture is at room temperature. (Do not give honey to children under 1 year of age.)
Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, which is known to support the body’s natural defenses. Lemon (and lime) juice is reported to decrease the strength of cold and flu viruses in the body and reduce phlegm. Add lemon juice to your tea or make hot or cold lemonade with honey to stay well, build resistance to cold and flu, and speed healing if you succumb.
Garlic may be known to ward off vampires, but it can also ward off colds and the flu. Garlic contains allicin, an immune-boosting compound, also known to relieve cold and flu symptoms. Mince or crush 1-2 gloves of fresh garlic and “soak” them in hot water; then drink it as a tea. This can also help others stay away from you (unless they’re drawn to the smell of garlic), preventing further spread of the virus (wink, wink).
Peppermint tea is full of nutrients that help the body fight disease. It can also act as an expectorant, helping the body to cough up mucus.
Salt water in homemade saline nasal sprays, nasal washes, and gargles has long been used effectively to soothe a sore throat and keep the airways moist, decongested, and free of invading pathogens. If your throat hurts, gargle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt mixed with 1 cup of warm water four times a day. For nasal lavage, use a neti pot or syringe with a quarter teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Tilt your head to the side over the sink or basin and gently draw the solution into your upper nostril. Allow the solution to drain through the other nostril. Repeat the procedure tilting your head to the opposite side. Note: Although many use warm tap water in their neti pots, distilled, sterilized or previously boiled water is recommended for purity/safety reasons. Be sure to clean and dry the neti pot after each use to prevent the introduction of harmful bacteria into the nasal/sinus passages.
Steam can help relieve stuffiness and congestion. Bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove, then slowly inhale the steam. Be careful as the steam can cause burns. If the steam burns your nostrils, tilt your head back a little and inhale more slowly.
The truth is that many of the old standard home remedies, when used regularly and properly, can be your body’s best and least expensive defense against colds and flu, and also help minimize their impact if they take hold. .