5 Ways To Deal With Flu In The Summer
Flu can become a bane during summer, and it is always so annoying being both hot and cold at once and not knowing what to do.
Unlike the winter cold that is caused by the rhinovirus, summer colds are often caused by another group of viruses known as the enteroviruses. The infection spreads when you come in contact with an infected person or object, or when you consume water that has the virus in it.
Below are some remedies that may come in handy for when you catch flu;
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- A glass of water
What You Have To Do
Mix the vinegar and water and drink this mixture. You can add some honey for taste to this concoction.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink 1-2 glasses of ACV water every day until the cold clears up.
Why This Works
ACV creates an alkaline environment in the body, and this helps to kill the viruses and bacteria easily and quickly
2. Ginger
You Will Need
- 1/2 inch ginger root
- A cup of hot water
- 1 teaspoon honey
What You Have To Do
- Brew some hot ginger tea by chopping the ginger and soaking it in hot water for a few minutes.
- Strain, add honey, and drink this tea.
How Often You Should Do This
Have 2-3 cups of ginger tea in a day.
Why This Works
Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties (6). It will reduce the inflammation in your nasal passages and lessen the excessive mucus that is being produced. The warmth of the tea will also soothe your nasal passages
3. Essential Oils
You Will Need
- A few drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- A bowl of hot water
- A towel
What You Have To Do
- Add the essential oil to the hot water.
- Cover your head and neck with a towel and inhale the steam from the water bowl. The towel is to prevent the steam from escaping into the surroundings and help it enter your nostrils.
- Inhale the steam for 7-8 minutes.
Alternatively, you can also use cyprus essential oil, tea tree essential oil, peppermint oil, or thyme essential oil for the steam inhalation or vicks.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once or twice a day until you get relief from the summer cold.
Why This Works
The antiviral properties of eucalyptus essential oil make it a wonderful remedy for treating cold. It also stimulates the immune system and alleviates inflammation in the nasal passages.
4. Garlic
You Will Need
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
What You Have To Do
Blend all the ingredients and drink the liquid.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this concoction every day until the symptoms of cold subside.
Why This Works
Garlic is antibacterial and antiviral. It also helps boost your immune system and flushes out toxins from your body
5. Milk
You Will Need
- A glass of milk
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
What You Have To Do
- Boil the milk and add turmeric and ginger powder to it. Mix well.
- Drink this warm milk.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this twice a day.
Why This Works
If you combine milk with turmeric and ginger, it can help you get rid of the symptoms of cold like headache, runny nose, watery eyes, etc. The combination works as a decongestant that also possesses antimicrobial properties.
