Have you tried it all and nothing works? We give you 3 ways to prevent and treat seasonal cold and flu
We know that taking herbs can boost immunity because of their anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties, oranges are the richest source of vitamin C, similarly, chicken is a good source of protein and other vitamins and minerals. Chicken soup, herbal teas, ginger-based foods, hot beverages, honey water and the list goes on, we try everything possible of them to stay on our toes. But, what if we mix and consume them differently?
It is often inevitable that we catch a cold and/or flu in winter, if our immune system is weak we will end up catching them at one time or another. However, we give you home remedies for the common cold and flu that might prevent us catching or help alleviate symptoms of the virus that comes with seasonal changes.
Winter comes bearing presents and the most common amongst them are these infections. Seasonal changes have different effects on different people.
Disclaimer: If any of these symptoms stay longer than usual then you must consult your general physician or if you’re on certain medications then these remedies might have an adverse reaction to your medicine.
Home Remedies For Common Cold And Flu
1. Herbal Tea
Teas are the go-to drinks in our region. When we feel happy, we drink tea, when tired we drink tea, so much so that we drink tea when we are ill. Herbal ingredients have a soothing effect on our immune systems and they might do wonders in most cases. We have used these herbs in many dishes and now we are revealing the magic recipe to keep yourself from catching common cold.
This Herbal tea has been proven to prevent seasonal infections like colds, flu, coughs, lung infections, breathing issues related to the common cold and congestion. Please note, the preparation has worked as a family recipe so please consult your doctor if symptoms persist or you feel you have an allergy to any ingredient used in the herbal tea.
How To Prepare:
Boil 1 cup of water, when it starts to boil add a 2-inch cube of ginger, 2-3 cloves, a 2-inch stick of cinnamon, 2-3 cardamoms, a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder or freshly grated if you have some, and 2 pinches of green tea leaves. Boil all the ingredients for 5 minutes on low flame. Strain the mixture, add honey if you like and sip it as hot as you can.
For best results drink thrice a day!
2. An Orange A Day In Winter Keeps The Cold & Flu Away!
Really, it’s that simple. Seasonal fruits area natural line of defence to fight against seasonal infections. We are often advised to take the maximum daily dose of vitamin C to get rid of, or protect ourselves from the common cough and cold, perhaps the same reason we are told to eat an orange (rich in Vitamin C) if we’re caught coughing or sneezing in winter.
So drink it up in juice form or peel an orange a day to get your daily does of vitamin C. Adults over 19 years of age need between 75 to 120 milligrams of vitamin C a day to get their daily dose. One whole orange will give you about 65milligrams and a 3/4 glass of orange juice approximately 90milligrams. So stock up on those oranges and yeah, thank us later!
3. Chicken & Vegetable Yakhni (Broth) Soup
You might be thinking that this is the oldest remedy that our beloved grandmothers have been using for centuries. But wait, ours is not that simple. A cup of yakhni rich in minerals, vitamins and energy is prepared a bit differently to boost your immunity.
Yakhni offers the goodness of chicken broth, herbs and vegetables. The best part is all of the ingredients are normally available either in your fridge, or in your kitchen cabinet.
How To Make:
Pour 4 cups of water into a saucepan, add 3-4 pieces of chicken preferably a wing piece, leg piece, neck piece and any other of your choice, remember to include the bone. Add in 2 garlic cloves, 1 medium carrot cut in julienne, 1 peeled onion, a potato, 2 cherry tomatoes or a small tomato, 2-3 cloves, a 2-inch cinnamon stick, boil all the ingredients and bring to a simmer for 20 minutes over medium to low heat. Season with salt and pepper. Add some drops of lemon juice and ginger slices before drinking.
Do try the above-mentioned remedies and let us know your favourite one in comments below.
Sources used in the article: MBG Food
