Home remedies for the flu: 10 tips from grandma’s time

Common flu symptoms, such as cough, runny nose, sore throat or fever, can be treated well with tried and tested home remedies from grandma’s days. Here we show how you can treat the individual flu symptoms with a few simple remedies and thus alleviate the symptoms.

1. Gargling as a home remedy for flu

Gargling is an effective home remedy for flu symptoms such as a sore throat or hoarseness . This home remedy for the flu is particularly good for children aged four and over. Gargling a saline solution loosens thick mucus stuck in the throat, flushes out pathogens, and cleans the mouth. Gargling relieves inflammation of the mucous membranes.

That’s how it works:

You can either buy a saline solution at a pharmacy or you can easily make it yourself.

  • For this purpose, half a teaspoon of salt is dissolved in a cup of warm water.
  • Then take a sip of it in your mouth.
  • Tilt your head back and gargle in front of you for a few seconds.
  • Then spit out the solution.
  • To get quick relief, it is recommended to gargle three times a day.

2. Chicken soup as a home remedy for flu

Chicken soup is effective against a sore throat or coughing with the flu. Due to its healthy ingredients such as zinc or iron, it has a proven healing effect on influenza. Chicken soup has an anti-inflammatory effect, disinfects the throat area, keeps the body warm from the inside and the mucous membranes moist. Influenza viruses have no chance to multiply. You can find our recipe for a delicious chicken soup here.

3. Inhalation as a home remedy for flu

Inhaling helps with the flu against side effects such as a sore throat , cough or runny nose . The steam inhalation moistens the mucous membranes and loosens stuck mucus. You can inhale, for example, with a plastic inhaler, which you can buy in the pharmacy and which is generally recommended by experts. Alternatively, inhalation using a bowl and a towel is also possible. However, children should be particularly careful with this application, as their circulation could be put under too much strain by inhaling and there is a risk of scalding from the hot water. Children should therefore only inhale under the supervision of adults.

Care should also be taken when handling and using essential oils as they can cause shortness of breath in very young children. When using essential oils, you should always seek advice from your doctor or avoid them altogether.

That’s how it works:

  • Boil 1.5 to 2 liters of water and then let it cool down a bit, otherwise there is a risk of scalding. The general rule for inhalations is that the water must not be too hot. Only warm, slightly heated water should be used.
  • The water is then filled into a bowl or into a plastic inhaler.
  • The corresponding addition is then added. A saline solution can be used for inhalation. To do this, two tablespoons of salt are dissolved in the water. But herbal additives such as chamomile, sage or thyme can also be used. Simply add two heaped tablespoons of the appropriate herb to the water.
  • Now hold your head over the bowl and cover it completely with a towel so that no steam can escape.
  • The inhalation itself should last 10-15 minutes. It should be ensured that breathing is normal, i.e. as calm and deep as possible. If you feel dizzy while inhaling, discontinue use immediately.
  • Afterwards, the head should remain covered and under no circumstances should it come into contact with the outside air, as the temperature difference is so great that circulatory problems could occur. After the inhalation, the focus is on rest and relaxation.
  • Inhalation can be done twice a day for 10-15 minutes without hesitation.

4. Potato wraps as a home remedy for flu

Potato wraps are effective against sore throats and coughs when you have the flu. It has an antispasmodic effect, so it is able to relieve coughing, and it also has a warming, blood circulation-enhancing and expectorant effect.

  • First boil the potatoes.
  • Then let them cool down a bit. They should not be too hot for the wrap, just warm, otherwise there is a risk of burns.
  • After that, the potatoes are mashed and spread on a gauze bandage.
  • The wrap is placed around the neck for a sore throat and around the chest for a cough.
  • The wrap is then covered with a larger towel.
  • The potato wrap can now act for 60-90 minutes.

5. Herbal tea as a home remedy for flu

Herbal teas made from elderflower or linden blossom have a sweat-inducing effect if you have a flu symptom such as fever . They help sweat out an infection. Herbal teas made from fennel, anise or marshmallow root can also have an expectorant effect and help against coughs and sore throats . If the herbal tea is sweetened with a little honey, the expectorant effect is even increased.

6. Nasal rinse as a home remedy for flu

Nasal rinses are a typical home remedy for colds . They liquefy stuck mucus and reduce both redness and swelling of the mucous membranes. You can easily make your own saline solution for nasal irrigation. To simplify the process, there are also so-called nasal rinsing pots available in stores. With them, nasal rinsing is particularly easy.

That’s how it works:

  • Dissolve 9 grams of salt in a liter of warm water.
  • Fill the nasal rinsing pot with water.
  • The application should be carried out over a sink.
  • Tilt your head slightly to one side.
  • Place the opening of the nasal irrigator in the upper nostril.
  • If the jug is lifted, the water flows into the nose through one nostril and out through the other nostril.
  • The other nostril should then be rinsed as well.

7. Curd wraps as a home remedy for flu

Quark wraps are a proven home remedy for coughs and sore throats when you have the flu . Quark has a pleasantly cooling effect and has both a disinfecting and anti-inflammatory effect on the respiratory tract. Swelling and reddening of the mucous membranes in the flu can thereby subside.

That’s how it works:

  • Spread the room-warm quark one centimeter thick on a gauze bandage.
  • The gauze bandage is placed around the neck for a sore throat and around the chest area for a cough.
  • Then a larger towel must be placed over it.
  • The quark wrap must then move in and then unfold its effect.

8. Calf wraps as a home remedy for flu

An effective home remedy for fever is a heat-dissipating measure such as the calf wrap. Wet, cool towels are placed around the lower legs. They have a cooling and refreshing effect and dissipate the heat caused by the fever. You can find detailed instructions on how to use the calf wraps for fever here .

9. Onion bags as a home remedy for flu

Earache from the flu can be easily treated with an onion sac. Onions have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect due to their sulphur-containing ingredients.

That’s how it works:

  • Cut an onion into small cubes.
  • Place diced onion in a cloth or washcloth.
  • Heat the small onion pouch in the microwave, over steam or on the heater. But the bag must not get too hot.
  • Then place the onion pouch on the affected ear.
  • The bag is fixed with a headband or a hat.
  • The sachet can be left on for 30-60 minutes.

10. Onion syrup as a home remedy for flu

Can you make your own cough syrup? Yes. Onion syrup, for example, is effective for flu symptoms such as coughs and sore throats . Onions have an anti-inflammatory and disinfecting effect on the mucous membranes of the throat and ensure that all redness and swelling go down.

That’s how it works:

  • Dice the onion and place in a small bowl.
  • Sprinkle onion cubes with 2-3 tablespoons of sugar.
  • Let the onions and the sugar soak for a few hours.
  • After a while, a syrupy liquid will form that can be skimmed off and drunk. An effective cough suppressant is ready!

We have summarized more recipes for cough syrup for you here.

You have taken all measures against the flu and have resorted to a number of home remedies, but there is still no improvement in sight? Then a doctor’s visit is essential. In our magazine we explain in which cases you should consult a doctor and how you can prevent an illness with a flu vaccination .

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