Anyone who has had influenza will know that it is a more serious complaint than simply having a bad cold. Different viral strains produce differing symptoms for Influenza, but generally there is fever, aching muscles, headache and general weakness. Sometimes there may also be a harsh cough is present as influenza symptoms. In older, frail people it can seriously debilitate.
Home remedies for Influenza
Influenza Treatment using Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Several oils have considerable anti-viral activity and help to boost the immune system. It is important though to use them at the earliest sign of influenza for maximum benefit. Either use them in the bath or as steam inhalations, it may also be a good idea to fumigate the house with oils at the same time, to help prevent everyone else getting the influenza infection. This is best done by either putting 2-3 drops on a radiator to evaporate or else adding around 10 drops to a small plant spray filled with water, frequently spraying the room.
Influenza Strains
Influenza occurs in bouts of epidemic proportions with periodic changes in the viral strains responsible. This makes vaccination program more difficult and less effective. Influenza can be a real killer and attention to good health to prevent the onset of serious symptoms is essential, especially for older people in winter.
Herbalism - Herbal Remedies for Influenza
In the early stages of a chilled feeling, use a warming tea such as Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) - break a stick into a teapot, perhaps with 2.5 ml of Cayenne (Capsicum minimum) or ground Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) added. When feeling more feverish in influenza, you can provoke sweating by taking infusions of Catmint (Nepeta cataria) or Elderflower (Sambucus nigra). The deep muscular aching can be relieved by using an infusion of Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), either on its own or mixed with either of the above.
To stimulate the immune system and also ward off complications such as bronchitis, take plenty of garlic (preferably raw), hot garlic bread or toast is a nice way to take it for all the family.
Influenza Treatment using Homeopathy
Choose from these helpful natural remedies for influenza if not able to get professional treatment:
BRYONIA: if feeling very hot and dry, thirsty for cold drinks, aching all over, headache made worse by movement.
GELSEMUJM: for a hot head and face but with chills that go up and down the back, burning headache but without any real sense of thirst.
Nux VOMICA: for thoroughly chilled feelings, cannot get warm at all, limbs and back is aching, stomach upset.
Naturopathy - Natural Home cures for Influenza
At an early stage of influenza try having a hot bath to which you add 30-60 ml (2-4 tbsp) of Epsom Salts then go straight to bed.
Generally restrict the diet, drinking fruit juices until the feverish period has passed, and then starting on fruit, vegetables and whole grains at first. If very hot and sweaty, try applying a cool compress to the chest and trunk.
Immediately when the symptoms of influenza start, it is advisable to take high levels of Vitamin C to boost the immune system, around 3,000 to 4,000 mg to start with and reducing over 3-4 days to 500 mg until completely better.
