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4 Crucial Tips to Prevent Flu

  • Avoid Close Contact: It is important to avoid close contact with those who are sick as the virus passes easily from person to person. Maintain distance from those who are sick.

  • Wash Hands Frequently: Flu viruses are alive for almost 24 hours on hard surfaces, so washing hands regularly is important, especially while eating or preparing food.

  • Gargle: Gargling can bring temporary relief if you are suffering from sore throat. Dissolve salt in warm water and gargle with this liquid for at least 4 times a day.

  • Strengthen The Immune System: It is imperative to protect yourself from flu as a strong immune system ensures that your body is ready to fight infections. So have a healthy lifestyle in general.

10 Best Drinks for Flu

1. Ginger Tea

Ginger tea will make you feel better if you have flu or cold. The anti-inflammatory Shogaols and Gingerols present in ginger will relieve a sore throat quickly. It will warm up your body and help clear sinuses. Honey is soothing to the throat, and the antioxidants in the lemon will reduce inflammation and free radicals in the body. Drink this tea at least thrice a day to get quick relief. The combination of ginger and basil also has the potential to fight the illness, as Basil is known for its antibiotic and antioxidant properties. Fresh basil is best to make the tea, and a handful of it is adequate to make the tea. Here's how you can make it:

Ingredients

  • Fresh ginger root – 1-inch
  • Hot water – 1 Cup
  • Honey – 1 Tbsp
  • Lemon Juice – 1 Tbsp

Method

  • Grate the ginger root in a teapot. Pour a cup of hot water and steep for about 3 minutes. Add honey and lemon juice in a mug.
  • Strain the steeped ginger mixture into the mug. Stir until all the ingredients are well-blended. Drink hot.
  • For a spice flavor, you can add cardamom, nutmeg or cinnamon in the tea, which is quite comforting.

2. Dandelion, Nettle And Catnip Herbal Tea

The powerful combination of the three herbs dandelion, nettle and catnip, is beneficial to drink all year round to boost your immunity. Stinging nettle is known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties. Also, it is one of the nutritive herbs, as it is packed with minerals and vitamins. Catnip alleviates nausea and aching muscles. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Dandelion reduces infection.

To make this tea, you will need an ounce of dandelion leaves and roots, a handful leaves of catnip, and nettle. Boil these herbs in a pan with water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and add honey to it. It is best to drink some water after drinking the tea. People with any plant allergies and pregnant women must avoid this tea.

3. Black Tea

Hot tea warms the body and soothes your throat and promotes relaxation. According to research, drinking black tea enhances the body's defences, as theanine found in tea supports our immune system. So, drinking at least 5 cups of black tea every day for 2 – 4 weeks is sure to boost the immune system by almost 4 times, according to a study. Moreover, the hot beverage is soothing and relaxing. It is easy to steep tea from tea bags or loose leaves. All you need to do is pour boiling water over the teabag and steep for about 2 to 5 minutes.

4. Chicken Broth

If you have flu or cold, the meal you must grab is chicken soup. According to an analysis, most of the people suffering from stuffy and achy flu and cold prefer the comforting chicken soup. The practice of drinking hot soup during cold has been around for several centuries, which is believed to ease the symptoms. The liquid broth is hydrating and a mucus stimulant. As it is packed with garlic, curry powder, pepper and other spices, it is known to thin out mucus present in lungs, throat, and mouth.

Also, chicken contains cysteine, a natural amino acid that has similar chemical content as acetylcysteine that is prescribed by doctors for a respiratory infection. The delicious chicken soup is easy to make and you will get to feel better in no time.

Ingredients

  • Olive Oil – ¼ cup
  • Garlic Cloves – 20 whole
  • Raw Chicken – 1 Whole
  • Onion – 1 large
  • Carrots – 6
  • Celery – 3 ribs
  • Chicken Stock – 12 Cups
  • Lemon Juice – ¾ Cup
  • Lemon Zest – 1 Tbsp
  • Dried Mint leaves – 2 Tsp
  • Ground Cinnamon – 1 Tsp
  • Bay leaves – 2
  • Cayenne Pepper – ½ Tsp
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Method

  • Caramelize garlic in the oven and mash it. Rinse chicken and place it in a stockpot. Dice and add onion, and carrots into the pot.
  • Add chopped celery, cinnamon, dried mint, cayenne pepper, and bay leaves. Pour the stock into the pot and boil on medium heat until it gently boils and then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 21/2 hours.
  • Remove chicken from the pot and stir in garlic, lemon zest and juice. Shred the chicken and return it to the soup. Check the seasoning.
  • You can place some hot rice in the serving bowl and then ladle the soup on top of the rice.

5. Water With Lemon, Honey And Cayenne Pepper

Sipping this hot soothing drink will open sinuses and makes your throat feel better. This is a healthy and natural way to get relief from cold and flu. It's easy to make too. Although there is no substitute for medicines, this natural remedy will make you feel better and speed up recovery. So, give this remedy a try.

Ingredients

  • Lemon
  • Water
  • Cayenne
  • Honey

Method

  • Squeeze the juice of half a lemon and add a tsp of honey in a mug.
  • Add a dash of cayenne pepper.
  • Now, fill the mug with boiling water and drink while it is still hot.

6. Flu and Cold Fighter Juice

Orange, Apples and Carrots are a perfect combination to protect your body and fight off any infection. The juice provides potassium, folic acid and vitamins A, B-6, C. The antioxidants and vitamins protect the body from damage. The lack of vitamin C can impair the ability of the body to fight infection. Use organic products if possible, to make this juice.

Ingredients

  • Carrots – 2 (large)
  • Apple – 1 (cut into quarters)
  • Orange – 1 (quartered and peeled)

Method

  • Place all the ingredients in a juicer to get thick colourful and nutrient-rich juice.

7. Turmeric Tea

Building a healthy and strong immune system is something we should develop to remain fit all year round. Nutrient-rich foods play an important role in maintaining health. Eating seasonal foods will strengthen and support our health and improves immunity. Using antimicrobial aromatic herbs like turmeric and ginger will combat inflammation. This Turmeric Latte is a combination of turmeric and ginger, which enhances the natural immunity and fights flu and cold.

Turmeric has antibacterial and antioxidant properties and helps reduce the symptoms of flu and cold. The curcumin present in turmeric will down-regulate the extracellular infectious virus. Besides being a powerhouse of various nutrients, turmeric drink is a delicious and healing drink, especially when combined with ginger and cinnamon. The following recipe is an effective and straightforward way to enjoy your turmeric tea. Once you get acquainted with the taste, you can increase the amount of turmeric.

Ingredients

  • A pinch of nutmeg and clove powder
  • Cinnamon – 1 Tsp
  • Fresh ginger – 1 Tsp
  • Freshly ground black pepper - 1 pinch
  • Turmeric – 1 Tsp
  • Raw honey as desired
  • Milk – either almond
  • Hemp or fresh coconut milk
  • Water – 1 to 2 cups

Method

  • Simmer water along with all the herbs for about 10 minutes. Strain and add milk and honey.

8. Echinacea Tea

Source evitamins.com

Echinacea leaves and roots have been used traditionally for medicinal purposes. It has antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties and also used to strengthen the immune system. All these properties make this a popular herbal supplement. The easiest way to reap the benefits of the herb is to drink Echinacea Tea. It has been found that Echinacea Tea is quite effective to shorten the duration of flu symptoms. Research has also revealed that the herb can reduce the chances of catching a cold by almost 58%.

Also, drinking this tea can make the flu vaccine more effective. You can use fresh echinacea or organic Echinacea herbal tea bags from evitamins.com. Dip the tea bag in 8 oz. of water and steep for 10 minutes. Various flavours ranging from Echinacea plus Elderberry, Echinacea and lemon, etc. are available. The price of this herbal tea bags is around Rs. 530 – 570. If you are using fresh echinacea, then you need ½ cup of the fresh herb. Pour 8 ounces of hot water over it and steep for 15 minutes. If you want to improve the tea taste, then you can add peppermint, mint or lemongrass for a pleasant flavor.

9. Elderflower Tea

Source amazon.in

Elderflowers were used traditionally to relieve the symptoms of cold and flu. It is also a well-studied herb in modern medicine. It is effective for influenza, cold, swine flu, and for swollen sinuses. The elderflower mouthwash is effective for cough and hoarseness. The antiviral properties and vitamin C content in the elderflowers make it a great option to fight cold and flu. Quercetin, a flavonoid found in elderflowers, has potent antioxidant properties too.

It is a remarkably gentle herb and has an agreeable taste, and hence, kids can also drink this herbal tea. During cold and flu season, elderflower tea is taken every day to help improve the immune function of the body. You can use fresh or dried elderflowers to make the tea.

Method

  • Place dried 2 tsp of elderflowers or 2 to 4 fresh flowers in a teapot. Now pour hot water into the teapot and steep for about 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and drink hot. You can add in lemon balm or mint leaves to the tea if you are looking for variation.

10. Astragalus Tea

Source amazon.in

Alternative medicines like herbal teas can ease flu symptoms and can also protect from getting flu. Astragalus or Chinese Milk Vetch is one such herb that enhances your immune system and helps you ward off flu. The herb has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. The herb has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Studies have shown that it also has antiviral properties, which is why it is effective in preventing colds and flu. Astragalus Immunity Tea Bags are available on Amazon. This 100% herbal supplement comes with 20 bags.

Foods to Avoid When You Have the Flu

You may feel that nothing is working when you have flu, but oddly enough, you may get relief from foods. Some foods will make you feel better. Although when someone is suffering from flu, it becomes difficult to consume food due to diarrhoea, vomiting, or nausea symptoms. Eating the right things can put you on your feet quickly. There are certain foods that you need to avoid during this time.

  • Processed foods – These foods do not have much nutrition. For your body to heal during flu, it is important to take nutritious and wholesome foods.

  • Jagged shaped crisp foods – Chips, crackers, pretzels, or any such refined foods must be avoided as they can aggravate sore throat and cough.

  • Alcohol and caffeinated drinks – Dehydration during flu is of concern during this time. Alcohol and caffeine are known to make the symptoms worse. So, sipping clear liquids or water is recommended to stay hydrated.
Writer
Malathi
Malathi is a freelance content writer offering blogging, ghost-writing, and copywriting services. In addition to developing digital marketing content, she maintains niche websites related to kids, parenting, and pregnancy. Malathi's works have been featured on several prominent blogs and websites. When she is not writing, you will find her exploring exotic locales on our beautiful planet.

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Take Adequate Care of Yourself!

Inadequate diets that are low in protein and calories or if a major chunk of the diet contains fast food or processed foods, then it is difficult to maintain a healthy immune system. A healthy immune system is like a "coat of armour" that protects the body from diseases. Vitamin D, Omega-3 fatty acids probiotics can bolster your defence and resist microorganisms, causing flu. Besides a healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, drinking plenty of fluids, and reduced stress levels will keep your immune system active and prevent diseases.