Miserably ill...

[Rkitko]

Who gets the flu in the middle of summer? Apparently I do.

Because of the international nature of the JIMB, I'm curious to find out what your local/regional folk medicine "cures" for either the common cold or the flu are. I've already got the "drink your weight in liquids" and "sleep a lot" things going on. Once I feel like I can drive (dizzyness is not a good trait in someone that's on the road...), I'll go out to the natural food store and get echinacea to ramp up the ol' immune system.

Any other suggestions?

Here's hoping it's not bird flu,
Ryan

[snakegrl]

Hey there, I find that a combination of green tea, osha root tincture, and vitamin C do great for me.
If that doesn't work, chew 10 bugs every 2 hrs.:p

[hoops]

well see, all these "homeremedies" started for a reason,...cause to some degree they work. warm liquids keep your head clear and infection from clogging up your sinus'. liquids with electrolytes ( gatoraide, power aide and such) keep you from dehydrating AND flush your system getting rid of the yucky germs, rest is essential because it gives your body the energy it needs to do what it needs to do...heal itself...people often say eatr chicken soup. the warmth of the liquid helps keep the germs in a thin liquid moving thru and out of the system and the oil in the soup keeps the pathways smooth so the germs can't stick as easily. herbal remedies and vitamins ken, as any medication, with care and in moderation...they are meant to assist the body it what it does naturally, but can hurt the body if overdone... i DO find that the extra help of good mouthwash on a regular basis and spraying the house with an air sanitizer such as OUST keep the house more free from germs, of course in moderation. I had the flu this summer too, i know a lot of people who have, i hope you feel better soon take care of yourself
peace
hoops

[AceOn6]

Let's see... in North America, the primary home remedies are chicken soup (preferably made by a grandmother), orange juice, tea with honey and lemon, and ginger ale.

I do well with spicy foods as they seem to help break up the congestion, but that's not exactly traditional. Buffalo chicken with extra hot sauce does the trick.

[Rkitko]

Thanks, all, for the suggestions. I'll probably get some veggie soup instead of the chicken soup (haven't eaten meat for 'bout 5 years--immune system might not know what to do with it!). As for orange juice, we never got along real well. :p

What's the addage--"Feed a cold, starve a fever"?

Thanks again :)

[janisian]

Also, read the Road Health article on this website...

[ponytail]

The father of a friend of ours, who's PA Dutch, swears that a glass of tomato juice with a dash of tasbasco sauce and a teaspoonful of cayenne pepper is an excellent cold and flu remedy. He also says that dissolving powdered ginger in hot water, adding a sweetener like honey or sugar for taste, and drinking it at the first sign of a cold will stop a cold. Both of these are a bit spicy for my taste (and I like spicy things, usually).

I know tea made from dired mullein leaves, steeped in boiling water for ten minutes, clears up both nose and chest congestion, without the stimulant side effect you get from cold remedies containing ephedrine. Add slippery elm root when you're brewing and you have a tea that soothes your throat, too. That helps with some symptoms, at least. (And with honey added it tastes pretty much like regular old tea). You can get these in herb stores and in some health food stores.

And get lots of rest and drink lots of clear fluids (water, fruit or vegetable juices, etc.) Tomato juice and tomato soup both have substantial vitamin C in them, also.

[DaveM]

Cinnamon oil (available in gel caps at health food stores) or just a strong dose of cinnamon in a hot drink (say, a teaspoonful or so) makes for a rather potent beverage but if taken a couple of times a day when symptoms first appear will generally keep them from developing fully. Once you're sick, they will help clear the head, settle the stomach, and generally relieve a number of symptoms. I've used this myself which quite good results (mind, the oil is far easier to swallow).

Someone once suggested that I take garlic oil capsules for a "bug", which I tried for a week. The only effect I noticed was that I smelled like an Italian bakery after a day or so, but....the person who recommended it swore by it.

[Agnes]

That one time every year I catch a cold I drink 4 cups of elderberry tea and am fine within 2 days. If it's the flu, I use strong sage tea as a gargle 3 times a day. Usually is gone within 3 days :) Good luck with all these home remedies! :D

[Dee]

Rest! Plenty of fluids to flush the bugs out, and mega doses of Vitamin C.

[DaveM]

And if you try everything suggested, you will at least be busy until the bug passes.

[Rkitko]

Very true, DaveM. I'm pleased to report the fever has broken, so the worst is over. I don't know if it's just my horrible long-term memory, but everytime I get the flu, I swear it's the worst I've ever felt! Perhaps we just forget how bad it feels to be sick? Or is it a product of the delirium and hallucinations?