During this time of the year flu and colds easily spread around , particularly among those individuals that are more suspected to have a deplete immune system, such as children,elderly people and those with stressful lives. Herbal medicine works in a holistic way, no only treating the typical pains and aches usually cause by these conditions, but also boosting your immune system, letting your body to get rid off the flu or cold without suppressing your body healing capacity.
Common Cold – A virus droplet infection of the air passages. There are around 200 viruses that cause colds and three that cause flu.
Symptoms – Red itching eyes, catarrh, mild fever, sore throat, headache, blocked or running nose, general ache, sneezing. Symptoms are milder than influenza, lasting few days or a week.
In general colds are contagious two to three days before their symptoms begin and remain contagious until all the symptoms have discontinued; so most people will be contagious for around two weeks
“Flu” (influenza) – An acute contagious viral droplet infection, with an incubation period of 48 hours.
Symptoms - Chill, shivering, headache, sore throat, fever, aching joints, weakness, tiredness, sweating, dry cough, headache, nasal congestion, catarrh. Symptoms are more severe than common cold, lasting a week or more. Influenza is contagious two days before symptoms start and for further 5-6 days.
Do
· Drink plenty of fluids (herbal teas, natural fruit juice, water)
· Eat citrus fruit which are high in vitamin C (orange,
pineapple, kiwi)
· Spice up your food if you tolerate hot spices
· Soup (onion and garlic or any homemade soup)
· Rest
· Cover your throat
· Hot bath at night
· Lots of good honey (not for diabetics or babies under 1 year of age)
· Visit your doctor if you suffer high fever (temperature of or above 39°C = 102.2°F) that do not subside with treatment, young kids becoming lethargic, having difficult to breath or not drinking liquid, if treated symptoms gradually don’t ease after 5 days or if you suffer from asthma.
Don’ts
· Don’t have or cut dairy products as much as possible. Specially milk and cream, which will increase the amount of mucous your body is producing.
· Don’t have or cut on bread
· Do not have sugary and junk or processed food -excessive carbohydrate , refined carbohydrate and sugar would exacerbate your symptoms and will deplete your immune system further more.
· Do not drink alcohol.
Symptoms – Red itching eyes, catarrh, mild fever, sore throat, headache, blocked or running nose, general ache, sneezing. Symptoms are milder than influenza, lasting few days or a week.
In general colds are contagious two to three days before their symptoms begin and remain contagious until all the symptoms have discontinued; so most people will be contagious for around two weeks
“Flu” (influenza) – An acute contagious viral droplet infection, with an incubation period of 48 hours.
Symptoms - Chill, shivering, headache, sore throat, fever, aching joints, weakness, tiredness, sweating, dry cough, headache, nasal congestion, catarrh. Symptoms are more severe than common cold, lasting a week or more. Influenza is contagious two days before symptoms start and for further 5-6 days.
Do
· Drink plenty of fluids (herbal teas, natural fruit juice, water)
· Eat citrus fruit which are high in vitamin C (orange,
pineapple, kiwi)
· Spice up your food if you tolerate hot spices
· Soup (onion and garlic or any homemade soup)
· Rest
· Cover your throat
· Hot bath at night
· Lots of good honey (not for diabetics or babies under 1 year of age)
· Visit your doctor if you suffer high fever (temperature of or above 39°C = 102.2°F) that do not subside with treatment, young kids becoming lethargic, having difficult to breath or not drinking liquid, if treated symptoms gradually don’t ease after 5 days or if you suffer from asthma.
Don’ts
· Don’t have or cut dairy products as much as possible. Specially milk and cream, which will increase the amount of mucous your body is producing.
· Don’t have or cut on bread
· Do not have sugary and junk or processed food -excessive carbohydrate , refined carbohydrate and sugar would exacerbate your symptoms and will deplete your immune system further more.
· Do not drink alcohol.
Home Remedies to treat Flu & Colds
Please note the information given on this booklet is not intended to be regarded as a substitute of undergoing treatment or medical advise.
Before administrate any of the remedies relate in this booklet make sure that whoever is going to be treated is not allergic to any of the ingredients use on the recipe. In addition there are several recipes on this booklet containing honey , do not give honey to children younger than 1 year of age. And due to its sugar/honey content do not administrate syrup to diabetics. Use remedies sensible and do not overdose, If in doubt seek professional advice from your doctor or medical herbalist.
Before administrate any of the remedies relate in this booklet make sure that whoever is going to be treated is not allergic to any of the ingredients use on the recipe. In addition there are several recipes on this booklet containing honey , do not give honey to children younger than 1 year of age. And due to its sugar/honey content do not administrate syrup to diabetics. Use remedies sensible and do not overdose, If in doubt seek professional advice from your doctor or medical herbalist.
Thyme and Honey Cough syrup
An excellent remedy for coughs, sore throats and to relieve congestion and fever. Thyme is a great herb to treat all kinds of respiratory conditions and. honey has analgesic, antibacterial and soothing properties.
You Need
Method
· Pour the water into the saucepan add the thyme.
· Bring to boil and then reduce to a simmer
· Simmer until the volume is reduced by about half. (You will need 1 cup of liquid after herbs are strained off)
· Strain using a fine mesh strainer or colander
· While the liquid is still warm (not boiling) whisk in the honey and stir until is completely blended.
· Store in glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 months.
Dose - Children 6-12 years old - 1tsp every 4 hours
Over 12 years old children and adults - 1tbsp every 4 hours.
Not suitable for babies under one year old.
You can also try for kids over one year of age onwards, as directed on the recipe 3 full tbsp of elecampane root or marshmallow root and 1 full tbsp of elderberries. Dose as above, for children 1-6 years old 1/2 tsp every four hours.
An excellent remedy for coughs, sore throats and to relieve congestion and fever. Thyme is a great herb to treat all kinds of respiratory conditions and. honey has analgesic, antibacterial and soothing properties.
You Need
- A medium saucepan
- 2 Cups of water
- 1 Cup of raw honey
- 3 full tablespoons of dried or fresh thyme
Method
· Pour the water into the saucepan add the thyme.
· Bring to boil and then reduce to a simmer
· Simmer until the volume is reduced by about half. (You will need 1 cup of liquid after herbs are strained off)
· Strain using a fine mesh strainer or colander
· While the liquid is still warm (not boiling) whisk in the honey and stir until is completely blended.
· Store in glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 months.
Dose - Children 6-12 years old - 1tsp every 4 hours
Over 12 years old children and adults - 1tbsp every 4 hours.
Not suitable for babies under one year old.
You can also try for kids over one year of age onwards, as directed on the recipe 3 full tbsp of elecampane root or marshmallow root and 1 full tbsp of elderberries. Dose as above, for children 1-6 years old 1/2 tsp every four hours.
Onion Syrup
Onion syrup is a traditional remedy for chesty coughs, sinus congestion and colds, suitable for children. It is easy to make and effective.
You Need
Method
· Peel and slice the onion.
· Place a layer of onion slices on the jar and cover it with the sugar or honey, repeat the process until you finish with the onion, making sure that the sugar/honey covers the onion.
· Closed the jar leave it over night and your onion syrup is ready! You can leave the onion or remove it’s up to you. Keep it refrigerated.
Dose - Children 6-12 years old - 1tsp every 4 hours (Do not overdose as it can upset the stomach)
Over 12 years old children and adults - 1tbs every 4 hours.
*Molasses: Unrefined cane sugar, rich on B6, potassium, magnesium and manganese.
Onion syrup is a traditional remedy for chesty coughs, sinus congestion and colds, suitable for children. It is easy to make and effective.
You Need
- 1 glass jar with lid
- 1 medium white onion
- Molasses* or raw honey (you can also use Demerara sugar)
Method
· Peel and slice the onion.
· Place a layer of onion slices on the jar and cover it with the sugar or honey, repeat the process until you finish with the onion, making sure that the sugar/honey covers the onion.
· Closed the jar leave it over night and your onion syrup is ready! You can leave the onion or remove it’s up to you. Keep it refrigerated.
Dose - Children 6-12 years old - 1tsp every 4 hours (Do not overdose as it can upset the stomach)
Over 12 years old children and adults - 1tbs every 4 hours.
*Molasses: Unrefined cane sugar, rich on B6, potassium, magnesium and manganese.
Spicy hot beverage
Spices in general are a great expectorants and decongestants. This warming beverage inspired on the ancient Ayurvedic medicine, is a decoction of spices that stimulates circulation, boost your immune system and help throw off fevers.
Avoid during pregnancy, not suitable for young children.
You Need
Method
· Put the spices and the water in a saucepan and bring to boil
· Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes
· Strain, sweeten with honey or add a slice of lemon, or both it is up to you.
· Drink a cupful as hot as possible, 3-5 cups daily while acute symptoms last.
Spices in general are a great expectorants and decongestants. This warming beverage inspired on the ancient Ayurvedic medicine, is a decoction of spices that stimulates circulation, boost your immune system and help throw off fevers.
Avoid during pregnancy, not suitable for young children.
You Need
- Medium saucepan
- Strainer or colander
- 1 pint of water
- 1 cinnamon bark
- 4 cloves
- 4 black peppercorns
- 15g (1/2 oz) slice fresh ginger
- 2 cardamoms seeds
- Honey to taste (optional)
- Slices of lemon (optional)
Method
· Put the spices and the water in a saucepan and bring to boil
· Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes
· Strain, sweeten with honey or add a slice of lemon, or both it is up to you.
· Drink a cupful as hot as possible, 3-5 cups daily while acute symptoms last.
Eucalyptus Steam Inhalation
A classic remedy to relieve congested nose, sinusitis, and generally flu and colds symptoms. When herbal steams are inhaled, antiseptic, decongestants go straight into the lungs where they are needed most.
This remedy is not advised for children due to the risk of scalding.
You need
· Place the eucalyptus leaves in a large bowl or a basin
· Pour 2lts (4pints) of fresh boiled water.
· Put your head over with your head about 6 inches above the bowl cover with a towel, close your eyes
· Inhale through the nose for about 8-10 minutes, do not go out immediately afterwards ,as mucous membranes will be very sensitive for a little while.
Alternatively you can try the following herbal combination:
· 2 tbsp thyme leaves
· 1 tbsp rosemary leaves
· 1 tbsp peppermint leaves.
A classic remedy to relieve congested nose, sinusitis, and generally flu and colds symptoms. When herbal steams are inhaled, antiseptic, decongestants go straight into the lungs where they are needed most.
This remedy is not advised for children due to the risk of scalding.
You need
- Heat proof large bowl or basin
- Kettle
- Bath towel
- 4 tbsp of crush eucalyptus leaves
· Place the eucalyptus leaves in a large bowl or a basin
· Pour 2lts (4pints) of fresh boiled water.
· Put your head over with your head about 6 inches above the bowl cover with a towel, close your eyes
· Inhale through the nose for about 8-10 minutes, do not go out immediately afterwards ,as mucous membranes will be very sensitive for a little while.
Alternatively you can try the following herbal combination:
· 2 tbsp thyme leaves
· 1 tbsp rosemary leaves
· 1 tbsp peppermint leaves.
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