How to Get Rid of Flu Fast and Naturally?

Influenza, simply called as Flu is a viral infection which attacks your respiratory system mainly your nose, throat and lungs. The flu is a contagious disease, as the virus can travel through air in droplets by some infected person through coughs, sneezes or talks. Unfortunately, if you inhale it directly or from any other objects like computers, cells, remotes etc. then you will also affected with these by transferring them to your eyes, nose and mouth. People in all ages (mainly young children and older people) and in all stages (weakened immune system, pregnancy, chronic illness) will experience the influenza. As flu seems to be like common cold when comparing the symptoms, but it comes suddenly where as the cold develops slowly.

Related Post 1: Home Remedies for Cold

Dry cough, headache, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, fever, chills and sweats, nasal congestion, weakness are some of the symptoms of flu. There are many complications for flu like ear infection, bronchitis, sinus infection, pneumonia etc. So, consult doctor if you didn’t get relief from flu after following these remedies, it will leads to any of the above serious problems.

Home Remedies for Flu:

Consulting doctor and taking Prescription is waste of time and money if you know the exact problem. There are home remedies which will cure your problem naturally and gives long lasting results. So, try these home remedies which are very effective in treating flu.

1. Remedy for Flu with Thyme:

It has the wonderful fragrant which makes to delight the senses and also works as a powerful expectorant and antiseptic. It also helps to set the respiratory tract to function well, loosening mucus and inhibiting bacteria which are settled down to stay.

Ingredients:

• Dried thyme leaves – 1 teaspoon
• Boiling water – 1 cup
• Honey – a little bit

Process:

1. Take a cup and pour the water into it.
2. Then add thyme leaves and steep it for about 5 minutes to inhale the stream
3. Now strain the tea and add a little of honey to taste it
4. Sip it slowly to enjoy the taste and it also to get rid of the flu.
5. Repeat the process whenever you feel it needed.

2. Remedy for Flu with Garlic:

Garlic contains antibacterial and antiviral properties which help to get rid of the flu and cold.

Ingredients:

• Garlic cloves – 3 to 4
• Water – 2 cups
• Honey – little bit
• Cayenne pepper – a pinch
• Lemon juice – few drops or 1 teaspoon

Process:

1. Peel the cloves and crush them gently
2. Pour water in it and let it come to a boiling point
3. Once it come to the boiling point then lower the heat to simmer for 15 minutes
4. Then strain the garlic and allow it to cool
5. Add honey, pinch of cayenne pepper and squeeze few drops of lemon juice.
6. Now drink this as needed to get relief from the flu and its symptoms.  

3. Remedy for Flu with Mullein Tea:

It acts as an expectorant, loosening trapped mucous and soothe your throat.

Ingredients:

• Dried mullein herb – 1 teaspoon
• Boiling water – 1 cup
• Raw honey – a little bit

Process:

1. Take a cup of boiling water
2. Add herb into it and strain it
3. Steep it for about 10 minutes
4. Then sweeten with raw honey
5. Drink it as you feel needed to get relief from the flu and its symptoms.

4. Remedy for Flu with Pepper:

Naturally it is an irritant substance but this is essential to those who suffer from coughs with thick mucus. It helps to stimulate the circulation and also flow of mucus to give relief from the flu.

Ingredients:

• Black pepper: 1 teaspoon
• Honey – 1 tablespoon

Process:

1. Take a cup to add black pepper and honey in it
2. Fill it with boiling water
3. Steep it for 10 – 15 minutes
4. Stir it well and sip it slowly
5. It helps to get rid of the flu. 

5. Remedies for Flu with Honey and Lemon:

Raw honey is rich in nutrients and enzymes which kills bacteria and virus. It also soothes the throat. Lemon has vitamin C and anti-oxidant helps to boost the immune system to speed up the healing process.

Remedy – 1:

Ingredients:

• Lemon juice – 1/2 pieces
• Honey – 2 to 3 tablespoon

Process:

1. Mix both the ingredients properly
2. Sip it slowly throughout the day to get relief from the flu and its symptoms.  

Remedy – 2:

Ingredients:

• Honey – 1 tablespoon
• Hot water – 1 cup
• Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon

Process:

1. Mix honey in hot water and stir it well
2. Squeeze lemon juice into it
3. Drink this to get rid of the flu as it promotes the flow of mucus.

6. Remedy for Flu with Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV):

The mother knows more than the prevention of flu. This alkalizes the body and helps to kill the virus casing flu and its symptoms. 

Ingredients:

• Organic apple cider vinegar – 1 tablespoon
• Water – 8 oz (ounce)

Process:

1. Mix the vinegar in water to make it like a fine solution.
2. Drink it to get ward off the flu slowly
3. Drinking it for every three hours will helps to prevent the flu.

7. Remedy for Flu with Steam:

It helps to relieve from stuffiness and congestion. it also helps to reduce the flu and some of its symptoms.

Process:

1. Take water in a pot and boil it for few minutes on the stove
2. Turn off the heat and take down that hot water
3. Then cover your head and hot pot with a towel or any other cloth.
4. By closing one nostril breathe the stream and repeat the same to the other.
5. Now slowly inhale the steam to get your nasal passage free from mucus.
6. Repeat the process at night time for effective results.  

8. Remedy for Flu with Mustard Plaster:

It helps to get rid of the chest congestion and other symptoms of flu.

Ingredients:

• Mustard seeds – 3 tablespoons
• Petroleum jelly – a little bit
• Water – few drops

Process:

1. Take mustard seeds and soak it for 10-15 minutes
2. Then make it paste by adding few drops of water
3. Apply petroleum jelly on your chest first.
4. Now apply this mustard paste on your chest to get relief from the flu. It helps improve your blood circulation and ease your congestion.
5. Leave it for about 15 – 20 minutes
6. Repeat the process to get better results.  

9. Remedy for Flu with Oil of Oregano:

It contains powerful antiviral and anti bacterial properties which helps to get rid of this flu.

Ingredients:

• Oil of Oregano – 1 or 2 drops
• Water – a glass of water

Process:

1. Take a glass of water
2. Add oil to the water
3. Stir it well
4. Drink this for every couple of hours.
5. Be aware that pregnant women should not use to fend off the flu. 

10. Remedy for Flu with Ginger:

Ginger contains anti inflammatory properties and it is an excellent medicine for cold and flu.

Ingredients:

• Ginger – small piece
• Water – 1 cup

Process:

1. Take a saucepan and pour water into it
2. Boil the water and add the ginger in it.
3. Steep it for 5 – 10 minutes
4. Stir it well and strain the tea
5. Drink the tea slowly to get rid of the flu and cold.
6. Or you can use this ginger either in raw, cooked or in salads also.  

11. Remedy for Flu with Salt Water:

Salt water will also help to cure the flu and its symptoms. You can use this salt water in homemade saline nasal sprays, nasal washes and also gargles to keep your respiratory passage moist, to soothe your throat. The best is to do it nasal wash by neti pot which is available in the drug stores. Make this salt water mixture (mix a tablespoon of salt in a cup of warm water). Tilt your head over sink or wash basin and gently pour this solution in the first nostril and allow the solution to drain from other solution. Repeat the same for the other nostril. But be careful while doing this process.

12. Remedy for Flu by Elevating your Head:

Prop your head while sleeping with your pillows to ease night time congestion. Try to elevate your head up to 4 inches by placing additional pillow and let your legs down to get rid of many problems including this flu and its symptoms.

13. Remedy for Flu with Liquid Elderberry Extract:

Liquid elderberry extract fights directly on the flu. Taking it immediately will significantly reduce the length and severity of the flu. It helps to boost your immune system and kills the virus causing flu. Dosage will be 1 teaspoon for adults and for children it is 1/2 teaspoon but take the advice of your health provider before using this as a remedy.

14. Remedy for Flu with Diet Plan:

Even diet will help to cure flu. A little change in your regular diet will make a big difference in your health.

• Take food by adding spice to your meal like cayenne pepper, garlic, ginger, etc to get relief from the cold and flu.
• Include hot chicken soup in your diet whenever you face cold and flu.
• Taking canned broth whether it is chicken, beef or vegetable will keeps your body hydrated and also helps get rid of the problem by providing some nutrients to your body to fight against the virus causing flu.
• Drink any fruit juice to get hydrated and prevents your body from flu.
• Take food which contain vitamins like A, B, C and E and other minerals which helps to enhance your immune system to fight against virus causing flu.
• Remove the food which contains more of carbs and sugars from your diet. 

15. Remedy for Flu with Lozenges:

Cough drops and other lozenges (zinc based) which will shorten the cold by soothing coughing and sore throat should be taken regularly. This will helps to prevent the flu and its symptoms by giving you some relief from it.

16. Remedy for Flu by Having a Drink:

Flu makes you dehydrated especially in the situation when you are having the symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea. It’s better to take more fluids and liquids. Water is the best one which helps to get hydrated other than water, you can also take fruit juices, soda and other electrolyte beverages. Try to have Herbal tea with honey will soothe the sore throat and cough. If you are having a feel of nauseated then you have to try taking small sips of liquids rather than gulps will helps a lot to cure the problem.

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17. Remedy for Flu with Plenty of Rest:

Taking rest will be a solution for many problems. As it gives strength to immune system and gives relax from all the stress. Make the proper functionality to your body and prevent the flu and its symptoms.

Tips to Reduce the Flu:

These are simple and general instructions which when followed give the best results in reducing the problem of flu.

1. Avoid drinking alcohol to get rid of the flu problem. It will increase the problem of flu rather than decrease.
2. Avoid caffeinated drinks as it is diuretic in nature and here, will not helpful to solve this flu problem.
3. Include some chicken soup or any other soup in your diet as it gives relief from the cold and flu.
4. Don’t exercise if your body is not supporting you and asks you to take rest, as rest will helps the body to get ability to fight against infection. And don’t skimp on nighttime sleep because it enhances the immune system. So, sleep at least 8 hours every night for your better health.
5. Switch onto the humidifier to breathe moist air which helps to ease nasal congestion and sore throat pain. Regularly clean it off to make it free from mold and mildew.
6. Take a hot water shower and sit in the bath room for few minutes to inhale the stream.
7. You can also try a warm compress by dipping a wash cloth in warm water and put it on the forehead and nose to get relief from the cold and flu.
8. High fever is one of the symptoms for flu. So try OTC by taking Aspirin and ibuprofen which helps to ease the aches and pains. Coming to Acetaminophen, helps to ease you from fever.
9. Take dry cough remedies to get complete rest at night time without any problem.
10. As it is contagious disease it’s better to wash your hands frequents especially when you eat anything or went out. Even you can use alcohol based hand sanitizers if soap and water are not available there.
11. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose while you cough or sneeze to avoid the spread of flu to others and also to reduce it.
12. Avoid being in crowd as flu easily spreads wherever people congregate.
13. Reduce your stress levels by doing yoga, meditation etc. because stress can cause many problems including flu.

Preventive Tips:

Flu is a contagious disease and it will spread from one person to another easily by coughing, sneezing etc. So follow these tips to prevent flu now and in future.

• Get a flu shot which helps your body to build defenses to protect you from the flu. It’s essential to take for the people who are young children, old people, or those who have chronic illness as it helps to prevent the flu.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and quite often to make your hands free from germs.
• Use tissues while coughing and sneezing and throw it away to get rid of the flu problem.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as flu virus can easily pass through these parts.
• Try to avoid any program or any other in the large crowd of people especially in the time where flu can spreads easily.
• If you’re feeling sick or unease then you have to stay at home and continue your work at flu can easily spreads in a person who feeling sick.
• Eat nutritional food, take enough rest, do some regular exercise which will helps to keep your immune system strong to fight against the bacteria or virus causing flu.
• Flu strains can change every year. The vaccine which protected you last year will not have a chance of protecting you fully from flu. So, it’s better to consult the doctor for flu taking flu prevention vacancies.
• Avoid smoking as it can spread the infection and makes it easily to get infected.

Although there are many over the counter medications to cure it but the natural homemade will cure it well without any effect of it on other parts of your body (causing nausea and vomiting, delirium etc.). So, try these remedies whenever you suffer from flu to get rid of the flu naturally without any side effects. But make sure to consult the doctor if you are having the symptoms other than flu as it can be any serious problem.