Taken in high doses (2,000 mg three times a day, for five to seven days), vitamin C may help speed recovery from the flu (1). After five days, reduce the dosage by half. The best way to take high doses of vitamin C is in its buffered powdered form (1 1/2 teaspoon in 6 to 8 ounces of juice or water every four to six hours; cut back on the amount if watery diarrhea occurs). Other studies have shown that adding additional vitamin C to fight colds may also reduce their frequency (2). So in the winter when you may reach for a morning coffee or hot cocoa – try orange juice instead. The benefits may go well beyond the time it takes you to finish your cup!
Consider taking the herb echinacea to boost your immune system. For prevention, alternate it every three weeks with the herb astragalus. To treat (but not prevent) flu, combine echinacea with goldenseal. If caught early enough echinacea may actually help prevent colds and flu symptoms from developing (3). Echinacea can also reduce the number and severity of flu symptoms (4-7).
If you tend to develop flu-related bacterial infections, such as bronchitis or sinusitis, start taking garlic at the first signs of flu (8,9). Compounds in garlic may prevent bacteria from invading tissues.
Borage, a flower indigenous to Europe and northern Iran, may also help alleviate the symptoms of the flu. It appears to have antibacterial and fever reducing properties in studies (10).
Elder extract or elderberry syrup has also been shown to help people recover more quickly from the flu (11, 12). Used to promote sweating and urination, elder may may help to "flush out" colds and flu.
There's also an effective homeopathic remedy called Oscilloccocinum. In a French study on 500 people, 62% gave Oscilloccocinum favorable reviews (13). Another high quality study involving 334 people also demonstrated significant benefits of this homeopathic remedy (14). For relief: place 10 pellets under your tongue every 30 minutes or so at first sign of flu symptoms. Usually after five to seven doses, the severity of your flu symptoms will lessen.
Zinc lozenges may also help speed recovery, perhaps by destroying the flu virus itself. (Read zinc lozenge labels carefully. Only zinc gluconate, ascorbate, and glycinate help fight colds (15-18). Don't buy zinc products containing sorbitol, mannitol, or citric acid. When combined with saliva, these ingredients make zinc ineffective.)
Astragalus is another supplement poular in many Traditional Chinese Medicine cold and flu preparations. Take 200 - 400mg standarized extract or 1-2 tsp. liquid extract once a day. Astraglaus helps to bolster immune fucntion and may prevent future relapses of illness.
Another remedy from the Far East is eating Reish/ Maitake mushrooms. These beneficial fungi contain compounds that also rouse your body's immune defense. They can be eaten in dried, powder or tincture form.
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Stay in bed until your temperature returns to normal and body aches and pains subside.
Take aspirin or acetaminophen to relieve pain and reduce a fever of 103°F or higher. Do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if temperature is up to 102°F because a low-grade fever is an antiviral agent working to get rid of the flu. And do not exceed 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours to avoid damaging your liver.
Give children under age 16 acetaminophen, not aspirin, which can cause Reye's Syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal childhood disorder.
Drinking plenty of fluids prevents dehydration and helps keep the mucous lining of the respiratory system moist and better able to fight the infection. If you find water boring, try apple, grape, blueberry, or orange juice; or vegetable, chicken, or beef broths; or even a sports drink with its added minerals and electrolytes.
Using a humidifer or cool-mist vaporizer during the winter can keep indoor air moist. If you want to try to relax further you can aromatherapy oils to your humidifier. For relaxation try lavender, for difficulty breathing eucalyptus can help open clogged passageways.
To ease a sore throat, gargle with warm, salty water. Many a sore throat is due to the accompanying post nasal drip of a cold; this might be treated with a natural antihistamine such as nettle (250 mg three times a day).
When taking zinc lozenges, try breaking the tablets into quarters; suck on each piece every 30 minutes to 1 hour. If the particular virus you have is sensitive to the zinc, after the fourth tablet you should notice some relief in your sore throat pain.
If you have a dry, nonproductive cough (typical of the flu) that keeps you up at night, an over-the-counter cough suppressant containing dextromethorphan can help you get a good night's sleep.
In addition to getting an annual flu vaccination, you can lower your risk of contracting the flu by avoiding close contact with flu sufferers and by not handling objects they've touched. Wash your hands frequently and don't touch your face with unwashed hands.
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Alternative Therapies
Homeopathy, while lacking persuasive evidence in treating other conditions, shows great promise in the treatment of flu. Homeopathy operates on the premise that like cures like, so highly diluted preparations of poison ivy, wild hops, or bee venom may be prescribed. These substances are diluted to anywhere from one part per hundred or one part per million. In flu two particular homeopathic remedies have proven effective in studies. Oscilloccocinum has been shown to provide significant relief to those suffering from the flu (13,14). If you decide to consult a homeopathic physician to treat your flu symptoms make sure that you also disclose to your regular doctor any homeopathic remedies you may be taking.
Since one of the main symptoms of flu is achy muscles and joints, once on the road to recovery you may want to get a massage to fully relax your tense muscles and even help work the residual illness from your body. There are many modalities of massage. Therapies like reflexology and lymph draining massage may help stimulate your immune system and help release toxins from your body. You should also tell your massage therapist that you are getting over the flu. Some manual therapies such as deep tissue massage may be too strenuous on your recovering frame.
Aromatherapy may also not directly treat flu infection but, can help clear up some common flu complaints. For congestion you may want to consider using a humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer and adding essential oils to increase your comfort. For relaxation add lavender, for congestion add eucalyptus or peppermint oil. To help boost energy use citrus oils such as lemon or grapefruit. Only a few drops are necessary and essential oils should always be diluted and never applied directly to the skin. Use them to scent your space and create an optimal healing environment.
A meta-analysis of trials performed by the Cochrane Collaboration, suggests that while not ready to be advanced a clinical recommendation, Chinese herbal medications may be effective for flu (19). Their review focused on 11 studies including 2,088 patients. Since the studies did not all prescribe the same herbal preparation, no firm recommendations could be drawn as to an individual medication's efficacy. The included trials were also lacking in rigorous study methodology and size. As Western medicine begins to investigate the remedies from the Far East, evidence will become more readily available regarding the particular herbal concoctions that may benefit the flu. More research is necessary to expound on these initial findings.
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References