Choose the Spices Instead of the Pharmacy!

Taking over the counter (OTC) medication isn't the only way to feel better when you catch a cold. With the right preventative measures you can usually avoid getting sick altogether. In spite of your intentions, of course, sometimes those cold and flu germs manage to sneak in and take hole, even though you've worked hard to keep them out. It's tempting to take a bunch of antihistamines and sleep for a few days in the hopes that the flu will go away while you slumber but don't do it! Sure it's tempting but there are better ways to help yourself feel better and to get over your flu. There are plenty of remedies that are nature-based that will help you feel better and, possibly, cure your illness altogether. Read on to learn about some natural health ways of fighting the flu.

Peppers can go a long way toward helping you heal. Bell peppers are a great source of Vitamin C and chopping some up and putting them into your sauces and sandwiches can help you beef up your immune system so that it is ready to fight off cold and flu germs. Cayenne pepper is great for the sinuses as well. Cayenne pepper in tea or in other foods can help you breathe and can cause you to sweat which will help bring down a fever. Cayenne will also help heat your body up so that you can start to sweat out the germs and heal your system.

For hundreds of years, ginger has been a favorite cure for the common flu. Ginger is really easy to come by-it is used in almost every kitchen in the world and many people swear by ginger tea when they have a cold or the flu. When you get sick it can't hurt to add a little bit of ginger to what you are eating and drinking. The healing elements and antiviral compounds of ginger can help keep your illness from getting worse. If you are a tea drinker, just add some ginger tea into your regular rotation and could do wonders for your immune system.

Steam is good. Sinus drugs are not as helpful as the healing power of a hot and steamy bath or shower. Steam can relax your sinus passages which will aid your breathing. To get better you need to get lots of rest and the heat from the water will relax your muscles which will make it easier to rest. Sitting over a bowl or pot of very hot and steaming water (with a towel draped over your head) is another option for people who want to use steam to aid their breathing. The towel helps contain the steam and move it toward your face as well as helping the water stay warm for longer periods of time. Steam, however you get it, relaxes your sinuses, makes it easier for you to breathe and makes blowing your nose more productive.

Strengthening your immune system through natural health practices is one of the best ways to keep from getting sick at all. Using natural health methods to treat your colds and flues helps to strengthen your immune system, kill your current cold or flu and to keep new colds and flues from attacking you. Use some common sense and, instead of taking a lot of drugs, use natural methods to treat your cold or flu.

Hadden is an author who really enjoys discussing health and alternative medicine topics. Lately he's been teaching people more about flax seeds weight loss and providing flax seed recipes, as well as other flax seed related information.