How to Prevent The Flu With Simple Home Remedies

The flu season is already upon us and it seems to be hitting earlier than usual this year. There has been a lot of talk about the H1N1 and other strains that appear to be running rampant this fall season. Older people and children are more susceptible to the flu, as they generally have lower resistances than most. There are a few simple steps that can be done to help prevent the virus taking hold and ultimately giving you the flu.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Wash your hands frequently. Often people do not think about what we are touching all the time. Every item touched, especially in public places carries germs, virus' and bacteria. By washing the hands frequently throughout the day in warm to hot water, the amount of infection that could be transferred to other parts of the body can be reduced.

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   Photo by: John De Boer

   Avoid touching your face. The main ways that the flu and other bacterias and virus' enter the body is through the nose and mouth. As mentioned before, the hands carry many dangerous toxins. Do not touch your face with unwashed hands to reduce the likeliness of allowing the toxins to enter your body via the mouth or nose.

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   Photo by: Alessandro Paiva

   Clean your nose. Two to three times a day dip a cotton swab in warm salt water and clean out your nostrils. Right before bedtime is a great time to do this. The salty water will cleanse your nostrils and prevent anything that may have settled in your nose from germinating further. Non-addictive saline nose spray works well for this, as well.

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   Photo by: Ilker

   Rinse your mouth. Same as above, two to three times a day gargle warm salt water to clean and eliminate any flu or other bacteria that may have settled in the mouth or back of the throat. Alternatively, drinking hot liquids such as coffee and tea helps rinse the unwanted germs from your throat to your stomach, where they have a much harder time surviving to make you sick.

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   Photo by: Robbie Owen-Wahl

   Bring on the Vitamin C. Vitamin C supplements and eating lots of foods that are high in Vitamin C can give your immune system just the boost it needs to ward off the flu and other virus' that may be lurking around.

Tips & Warnings

• If taking Vitamin C pills, be sure to also take Zinc, as it will help the body absorb the Vitamin C.
• Lots of water and hot liquids can be very beneficial for overall health and flu prevention.
• In between hand washing, use over the counter hand sanitizers for added protection.
• These are preventive measures that can be taken to avoid getting the flu. They won't make it go away any faster once you've got it.

Resources

• Mama's Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Living
• Flu: Alternative Treatments and Prevention
• Beating the Flu: The Natural Prescription for Surviving Pandemic Influenza and Bird Flu