Herbal Remedies For The Flu - Part 1

Between 1918 and 1919 over 20 million people died from the influenza virus. Ways to boost the immune system and method of transmission of the virus was not well publicized and as a result it spread quickly and killed many. The influenza virus is spread through respiratory secretions, from coughing and sneezing, and will usually run its course within one to two weeks. Symptoms include chills, fever, headache, soreness, backache and fatigue. Individuals who are at higher risk for developing more severe disease often have an underlying medical condition that affects their immune system, such as AIDS, diabetes, cancer or asthma, or they are greater than 65 or younger than five.

For the largest majority of people, however, the flu causes uncomfortable and irritating symptoms that resolve on their own. The best way to treat the flu is to prevent getting it in the first place. That is accomplished by keeping your immune system in good condition and practicing good hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus.

If you do get the flu there are some home herbal remedies which will help you to decrease the severity of the disease, improve the symptoms more quickly and help you get back to your normal daily tasks much faster than letting the illness run its course.

Research has found that vitamin C will help to boost the immune system and increase the number of white blood cells which are produced in the body in order to help fight the influenza virus. Vitamin C is easily purchased at the grocery store, pharmacy or health food store and comes in either chewable tablets, powdered form or in pill form. Another vitamin or mineral supplement that has been shown to improve the immune system is Zinc. Today zinc lozenges are easily found online and in the grocery store. When taken right when symptoms are noticed it can help to decrease the severity and longevity of the illness. There are also case studies and some research which shows that taking zinc lozenges prophylactically during flu season, or when exposed to individuals who may be sick, can help to prevent the onset of illness. (1)

References:

(1) University of Maryland Medical Center: Influenza

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/influenza-000062.htm

(2) Microbes and Infection: Antimicrobial Properties of Allicin from Garlic

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10594976

(3) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Cat’s Claw

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/catclaw

(4) European Cytokine Network: The Effect of Sambucol, a Black Elderberry-Based, Natural Product, on the Production of Human Cytokines: I. Inflammatory Cytokines

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11399518