Herbal Flu Relief

During flu season it is helpful to have a listing of medicinal herbs and preparations to provide herbal flu relief.

Fever and Chills

Use a tea made with a few slices of fresh ginger to get rid of the chills.  Ginger is a warming herb and the strong taste can be sweetened with some honey.  Elderberry tea can be drunk to break a fever and promote perspiration.  Catnip tea can be used to bring down fever and promote sweating.  A tincture of Echinacea also reduces fever.  Teas are ideal when fever is present as they are an excellent way to prevent dehydration while delivering medicinal benefits for flu relief.

Muscle Aches and Pains

Get flu relief by using five drops of rosemary and eucalyptus oil in two ounces of sesame oil.  Rub into the affected muscles for pain relief.  As an additional benefit, the aromatic oils are soothing to breathe and help to clear clogged nasal passages.

Head and Chest Congestion

Aniseed tea stimulates mucus secretion in the lungs and throat.  Ginger eases head and chest congestion in addition to calming the chills.  Mullein tea is an expectorant which also soothes a sore throat.  Ephedra helps to open bronchial passages and allow easier breathing.  Ginseng reduces inflammation and helps clear bronchial passages.

An important part of flu relief is to limit the severity of symptoms and reduce the length of the illness.  Echinacea is an immune stimulant that does seem to accomplish that.  Other powerful immune stimulants are available as home remedies.

Astralagus is a traditional Chinese herbal treatment that stimulates the immune system to produce white blood cells that fight infections.  Take three 500 mg. capsules per day at the start of the flu season.  This can help to build up the immune system and provide flu relief.

Mediterranean oil of oregano is another herb with immune boosting powers.  A few drops should be diluted in water and gargled at the first sign of a sore throat.  Researchers have compared oregano oil to antibiotics and found it just as effective in killing bacteria.

Herbal flu relief can be easy, safe and fairly inexpensive.