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Influenza. This is the time of year when everyone is talking about it.

Should I get vaccinated? What is the strain of the moment?

In short, all kinds of questions that do not announce anything very exciting!

From a scientific point of view, the influenza virus mainly attacks the respiratory system.

He does this thanks to one of his 3 strains called Myxovirus influenzae A, B and C (whoever named these strains should not have been very inspired).

When you get sick, your body turns into a real battlefield, a battle that takes place on a microscopic level.

The virus tries to enter your body and take control of your cells, multiplying and killing them.

The problem is, there aren't really any treatments that work for these viruses.

Fortunately, there are many home remedies that actually relieve and reduce symptoms due to the flu.

These natural remedies have the power to keep your body as strong as possible so that it can fight the virus well.

In addition, be aware that the flu virus should not be confused with gastroenteritis, also called "stomach flu".

Here are 6 natural and effective flu remedies:

1. Drink lots of fluids

This remedy seems so obvious that you might think it is a cliché. But that's not why it's bad advice! Indeed, clichés are sometimes clichés for good reasons.

Very often, we are so anxious to find a quick and effective remedy that we totally neglect basic remedies. Gold, it is essential to drink plenty of fluids, and this for many reasons.

The first is for control fever. The flu raises your body temperature and makes you sweat, lowering the amount of fluid in your body.

Staying hydrated is common sense. This will keep your body in good shape, which is essential when you are sick.

In addition, a sufficient supply of clear liquid will improve your general condition and reduce pain.

Finally, good hydration keeps the mucous membranes moist, helping your body to thin the secretions.

What you need: fresh water, chicken broth, tea.

How to do : drink only light colored liquids such as water, tea or poultry broth. When you have the flu, you will have little appetite. Clear liquids are particularly suitable because they are easily digested by the stomach and provide the nutrients and hydration necessary for your body to function properly without further tiring it.

To discover : 11 Great Benefits Of Water For Your Body That You Didn't Know About!

2. Make yourself a ginger tea

Ginger is one of those superfoods that can relieve almost any ailment imaginable: stomach ache, stuffy nose, nausea, or inflammation.

Plus, you can grow an unlimited amount at home for free.

When you are sick, a good, hot cup of ginger tea will ward off cold snaps, help unblock your nose, and can even relieve those horrible aches.

Several studies have shown that ginger can warm you from the inside out thanks to gingerol, one of its main constituents. Indeed, gingerol improves blood circulation, while slowing the formation of clots.

If you suffer from muscle aches during the flu, know that this is normal! Why ? Because your body is having a furious attack on the invading virus.

Acute inflammation of muscle tissue is a natural reaction of your body when white blood cells and certain proteins activate to get rid of the virus.

2 players are in action: prostaglandins and leukotrienes, powerful inflammatory agents. Fortunately, the gingerol in ginger is there to relieve inflammation and thus reduce pain associated with muscle stiffness.

For this remedy to be effective, the secret is to macerate the root of the ginger. Indeed, because of its solid texture, it is necessary to simmer the ginger over low heat for 30 minutes to extract all its healing benefits.

To sweeten the taste of the infusion, I also add a little honey and lemon, also known for their health benefits.

What you need for 4 cups: offresh ginger (about 5 cm), fresh lemon, honey, 1 liter of fresh water.

How to do : cut the ginger into slices and put them in a small saucepan with the water. Cover the pan and heat over low heat. Simmer for 25 to 45 minutes. For a more concentrated infusion, let the ginger macerate overnight (optional). Filter the ginger slices through a colander. Pour the liquid into your favorite mug. Add a squeeze of lemon, a touch of honey and enjoy!

To discover : The 10 Benefits of Ginger That You Absolutely Must Know.

3. Relieve muscle pain with this homemade balm

If you have particularly severe muscle pain, this easy-to-make balm recipe will help you sleep better.

This homemade balm contains in particular the essential oil of wintergreen. Also known as wintergreen, this shrub naturally relieves pain.

It is also wintergreen that inspired the creation of aspirin that we all buy in pharmacies. In fact, wintergreen is 85% methyl salicylate, the main ingredient in aspirin.

Know that wintergreen is a particularly powerful natural remedy. In fact, this balm should be used sparingly and is not suitable for children. Even though it only contains natural ingredients, that doesn't mean this balm is safe. Indeed, some people can experience toxicity if they use this type of analgesic (painkillers) in too large quantities. These are rare cases but it is better to take precautions.

Remember that before the advent of modern medicine, it was thanks to natural remedies that humans healed themselves and stayed alive. Therefore, let us never forget that natural remedies can also be very powerful.

What you need: 2 tablespoons of beeswax, 4 tablespoons of coconut oil, 10 drops of wintergreen essential oil.

How to do : melt the coconut oil in a double boiler. Add the beeswax, and wait until the mixture is completely melted. Stir until the wax is fully incorporated into the oil, then remove the pan from the heat and add the wintergreen. Continue to mix everything until the ingredients are completely incorporated. Pour the mixture immediately into a jar (or other container of your choice).

The pain relief balm can be stored for up to 1 year in a cool, dry place, protected from light. Apply it with parsimony on sore muscles and massage firmly with fingers.

4. Listen to your body

We live in a world where everything goes way too fast ... And sometimes, we are not even able to slow down this frantic pace to rest in bed quietly, even when we are sick!

It's still sad to be so stressed and in a hurry that we don't even take the time to listen to our body anymore. when he tells us to take it easy.

Fatigue is nature's easiest way to tell us that it is time to to make a break. In the past, these signals kept us alive. So don't think you are doing well just because you manage to stay active!

Today it may not be a matter of life and death anymore, but your body is using all of its might to fight the virus, so help it a bit and get some rest!

What you need: extra-comfortable pajamas, a cozy place to curl up with a good book (or your favorite series).

How to do : there is no shame to take time to recover! This is not a selfish or lazy gesture on your part. It is better to get rid of the flu quickly rather than dragging it around for too long, regretting that you didn't rest from the start.

5. Take hot showers

Personally, this little trick has had incredible effects on my ability to recover quickly from the flu. Sometimes when we are sick, just taking a shower has the power to transform us.

It's like getting rid of this ugly layer full of germs. And there you have it, a brand new “us” appears, much more fit.

Why does it work? Because hot water relieves pain and chills and works wonderfully against congestion. You feel much better when you get out of the shower than when you walk in.

Aside from the decongestion effect of heat and steam, is there any other scientific explanation behind the benefits of a good hot shower? Not really !

But if like me, showers make you feel better, why hesitate? Afterwards, you can go back to your cozy pajamas and wallow in bed feeling clean and fresh, which makes relaxation even easier and more pleasant ... and The healing !

6. Relax With These Flu Bath Salts

The essential oils contained in these bath salts are perfect for warding off the slackness associated with the flu, because they have soothing, healing and invigorating properties.

Essential oils of tea tree and eucalyptus combine to eliminate germs and clear the mucous membranes. A touch of lavender essential oil helps the body to relax and to de-stress.

For this homemade bath salt recipe, use the proportions you want. Personally, I prefer to use a little more tea tree and eucalyptus than lavender.

Magnesium sulfate fights muscle soreness, and hot bath water gets rid of your chills.

What you need: 6 drops of tea tree essential oil, 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, 2 drops of lavender essential oil, 250 g of magnesium sulfate, 2 tablespoons of oil of your choice (olive , grape seeds, jojoba, etc.), a jar, or any other glass container with a tight-fitting lid.

How to do : in a bowl, mix the essential oils with the oil of your choice, pour the magnesium sulfate into the jar. Add the oil mixture to the jar and mix, until the oils are well incorporated into the magnesium sulfate. Fill the tub halfway with hot water. Add 2-3 tablespoons to the hot water, then fill the rest of the tub. Finally, bask, relax and take a deep breath! Remember to shake your bath salts well before each use, as the oil tends to separate from the sulfate.

To discover : 19 Secret Uses of Magnesium Sulfate.

Do I have a cold or the flu?

The flu and the common cold both affect the respiratory system, but there are several notable differences between them. Despite these differences, many home flu remedies can also treat cold symptoms, and vice versa.

Indeed, these symptoms are quite similar. It's just that they tend to be more pronounced with the flu than with the common cold. Remember that these symptoms vary not only from person to person, but also from virus to virus. So the only way to know for sure what you are suffering from is togo see your doctor.

In the beginning : a cold will almost always come on gradually, and often in a very predictable way. You start to have a sore throat, and it will heal after a few days. But as soon as things start to get better, congestion arrives. You have a stuffy nose. A fatty cough will clear the secretions from your throat and chest. The flu, on the other hand, is pronounced much faster. You may feel great in the morning but be totally dejected in the afternoon.

Nasal secretions / phlegm: nasal secretions and phlegm are a good indicator of whether you have the flu or a cold (but not always, especially if there are complications with the flu, such as pneumonia). A cold tends to start with watery mucus. Then, these thicken and become darker, thereby killing germs from your body. With a cold, you are constantly blowing your nose. As for the flu, it is accompanied by a dry cough, and it usually produces clear, watery mucus.

Severity: most flu and cold symptoms are similar. However, they are much more pronounced in people with the flu, and with much more severe pain. In addition, 80% of influenza cases are associated with fever, unlike the common cold where fever is observed only in relatively rare cases in adults. If you have a fever from a cold, be aware that your temperature will not rise as high as if you had the flu (that is, above 38 ° C).

Duration : you will usually recover from a cold in about 10 days. Whereas the flu can last up to 2 weeks.

Your turn...

Have you tried these grandmother's flu remedies? Let us know in the comments if they worked for you. We can't wait to hear from you!

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