How and Why of Everything: Home Remedies for Fast Flu Relief

Need fast flu relief? Most of these remedies have been used to treat flu symptoms for generations, and may help ease your symptoms as your body fights the flu virus.
Also, it's a good idea to call your doctor at the first signs of flu -- widespread body aches and a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit. If taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, flu medications may be able to shorten the duration of the flu.

Natural Cold & Flu Remedies

Flu Symptoms: Stuffy Sinuses

Try these tips to ease stuffy sinuses and breathe easier:

Breathe aromatic steam: Fill the bathroom or kitchen sink with steaming water, and add two teaspoons chopped fresh ginger (Zingiber officinalis). Drape a towel over your head and lean over the steam to get maximum benefit. Or add one teaspoon of the over-the-counter ointment Vicks VapoRub® to the steaming water, then breathe in the steam for several minutes until you get relief. Another flu remedy is to add a few drops of oil of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) or menthol to the water. Eucalyptus is known to open up bronchial tubes, ease congestion, and make breathing easier.
Take a warm shower: Getting in a warm shower with the bathroom door closed works as your own personal sauna. The steamy bathroom helps to open your airways and moisten and thin the mucus in your sinuses.
Increase liquids: Stay well-hydrated by drinking at least 8 cups (64 ounces) of water each day. Water keeps your respiratory system hydrated, which helps to liquefy thick mucus that builds up with a respiratory infection. Some findings show that hot liquids may be superior to cold liquids in upper respiratory infections. Other liquids can be added, but avoid coffee, tea with caffeine, or alcoholic beverages as these liquids may cause dehydration.
Use moist heat compresses: If your head is throbbing and it's difficult to breathe through your nose, you may find relief by applying warm moist compresses to the cheeks and sinuses. If you use moist heat, make sure it's not too hot to avoid burning yourself.
Try nasal saline irrigation or saline sprays: A host of scientific studies support nasal saline irrigation as an effective flu remedy to thin mucus, decrease postnasal drip, and add moisture to dried mucous membranes. In addition, the nasal rinse helps to remove virus particles and bacteria from your nose. Saline (salt water) nasal sprays can be purchased at any drug or grocery store and are effective, safe and nonirritating, even for children. Spray the saline solution into one nostril and then gently blow the mucus and saline out of that nostril. Repeat the process in the opposite nostril until both are running clear.
Consider decongestant nasal sprays: If you want immediate relief for a swollen, congested nasal passage, decongestant nasal sprays such as Afrin and Neo-Synephrine may be helpful. Decongestant nasal sprays are safe to use, but it's important to stop the spray after three days to avoid the development of rebound congestion (congestion that worsens when you stop the spray). This warning is on the bottle of most over-the-counter decongestant sprays.

Nasal Saline Irrigation Tips

Here's a popular nasal irrigation recipe that you can try at home:

Mix 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water.
Use a bulb syringe to squirt water into the nose.
Learning over the bathroom sink, hold one nostril closed by applying light finger pressure while squirting the salt mixture into the other nostril. Let it drain and gently blow your nose.
Repeat 2-3 times and then treat the other nostril.

You can also use a Neti Pot for nasal saline irrigation. A Neti pot is a ceramic container that looks like a genie's magic lamp and is available at most natural foods stores.

Fill the Neti pot with the saline solution (see recipe above).
Leaning over the bathroom sink, tilt your head to one side and pour the solution directly into one nostril with the Neti pot.
The solution will go into your nasal cavity and run out the other nostril and the back of your throat.
Spit out the drainage, and gently blow your nose to clear your nasal passages.

According to the CDC, if you are irrigating, flushing, or rinsing your sinuses, use distilled, sterile or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution. It’s also important to rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry.

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Flu Symptom: Cough Relief

Here are tips to ease a nagging cough:

Cough syrup: Try an over-the-counter cough syrup to calm a cough with flu. You can select from a cough suppressant, expectorant (guaifenesin), or topical medicine (a menthol rub for the chest). If you have asthma or other lung disease, avoid suppressing your cough. Talk to your doctor to see what might be helpful in your situation. Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under 4.
Cough drops: Keep sugar-free cough drops or hard candy nearby to calm a tickle in your throat. In addition, a teaspoon of honey might also help calm an irritated throat.

Flu Symptoms: Scratchy Throat and Congestion

Here are some tips to soothe a scratchy throat and chest congestion:

Eat hot chicken soup: If the flu has taken its toll on your throat, and it's hard to swallow without grimacing, sip some hot chicken soup. Hot chicken soup is a potent mucus stimulant, especially when it's loaded with pepper, garlic, hot curry powder, or other pungent spice that helps to thin mucus in the mouth, throat, and lungs. Studies have shown that hot chicken soup improves the function of cilia, the tiny hair like projections in the nasal passages that protect the body from foreign bacteria and viruses. Steaming chicken soup may also improve the motion of disease-fighting white blood cells.
Add spice to your meal: Garlic appears to have antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties and may give relief of upper respiratory congestion with cold or flu. Ginger also stimulates nerves that lead to mucus production. Ginger appears to have an antioxidant effect, as well as an anti-inflammatory effect, and stimulates the production of interferon that helps fight viral infections. Chili peppers are a great source of capsaicin, an antioxidant that also acts as a natural decongestant and expectorant. Horseradish contains a chemical similar to one found in decongestants.
Try an expectorant: With a cold or flu, it's important to keep mucus thin so it doesn't stagnate and allow bacteria to breed, thus, increasing the chances of infection. Try an over-the-counter expectorant such as guaifenesin, which is found in cough products such as Robitussin and Mucinex. Remember that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under 4. Follow the directions on the label.