With the current stress of life, our environment and eating habits it is common that many of us get a cold and flu often, once or a few time a year. We all have lived through some form of cold and flu in our lives. Cold and flu are common diseases of all ages. Usually, when you have a cold and flu, you feel terrible and don’t have the energy to do anything and even lose your appetite. Thankfully, eating the right food act as our natural medicine, it also can give our natural health, preventing viruses like cold and flu take over our livelihood.
Some basic knowledge about Cold and flu symptoms
Everyone will get cold at a certain time. There are over 200 different viruses that cause colds, but rhinovirus is the most common culprit. Colds are the not the same as flu. They are similar in certain symptom but different in viruses. They are both respiratory illness, and it can be difficult to tell them apart. Symptoms of colds usually include a runny nose and sneezing. Symptoms of the flu are more severe and may include fever and chills, aches and pains, drowsiness and headache. Flu tends to be more worst than cold in symptom.
Cold and flu can cause a headache
If you just notice the symptoms, it is difficult to distinguish between colds and flu. However, generally:
Flu symptoms usually last longer and are accompanied by fever, tremors and muscle pain
Symptoms of a cold are usually shorter and only accompanied by a runny nose and mild fever.
You can prevent the flu and cold by constantly washing your hands, avoiding contact with sick people and applying healthy diet as natural medicine. If you feel unwell, it’s better if you stop what you’re doing to lay down and get some rest.
In most cases, people with the flu will get over it in 5-7 days. It is important to take plenty of rest and drink plenty of water. Non-prescription flu medications can also help relieve symptoms. Always consult your doctor if you are suspected of having the flu, especially for those who are susceptible to infection such as the elderly, infants or those with weakened immune systems.
Healthy Food – Natural medicine that helps your cold and flu
When you have the flu, the only way to cure the illness is to take a rest, relax. In fact, no food or drink can cause the symptoms of the flu to go away so miraculously. But you have to make sure your body is getting enough water and eating nutritious foods because that help reduces discomfort and improve your body’s ability to heal. Natural foods have an abundance of vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients to act as a natural medicine to help you get over your cold and flu.
Electrolytes beverages
“Keeping enough water is the most important thing when you have the flu, especially if you have a fever and sweating, or you’re having trouble eating,” dietician Jessica Crandall, a spokeswoman for the American Diet and Nutrition Institute said.
Drinking enough water is the simplest solution. However, taking a drink containing electrolyte or drinking coconut water during the day will ensure the intake of sodium, potassium as well as the amount of fluid the body needs. A flavoured beverage can be more attractive than water and will also encourage you to drink more. Nutritionists often advise you not to drink sugary drinks for people whose work does not require spending a lot of energy – but if you cannot eat solid food, it’s a way to provide calories for the body.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables in vibrant colours
Fruits and vegetables in vibrant colours contain a lot of antioxidants
Nutrition experts say the important thing is that you need to add more antioxidants even when your body is weak to prevent the risk of catching chronic diseases. When you are sick, and your immune system is weakened, this is especially important. The antioxidants found in fruits and green vegetables keep you healthy and boost the immune system. The scientists also recommend adding dark coloured vegetables such as bell peppers, and berries to ensure that your body receives the optimal amount of antioxidants. If you feel like you are too sick to eat, you can consume them as juice.
Drink orange juice
Orange juice contains a rich source of vitamin C, a vitamin specialised in restoring energy and helping shorten the time of flu or cold. However, drinking too much orange juice can make the condition worse. “Your body cannot absorb too much vitamin C at the same time, and if you give too much it can cause digestive problems,” Crandall said.
Instead of absorbing large amounts of orange juice, the expert recommends mixing orange juice with water at a ratio of 1: 5, 1 litre of orange juice with 5 litres of water. So you can absorb 100% of your daily intake of vitamin C without taking too much sugar and over-loading your calories.
Seafood
Some fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel in most have very high Omega-3 content with anti-inflammatory properties; they are good for cardiovascular, immune system and their cold prevention effect is very effective.
A comprehensive study published in the Canadian Medical Journal in 2012 concluded that taking zinc supplements would shorten the duration of colds in adults. However, zinc supplements from medications often leave the risk of side effects such as nausea and headaches. Therefore, it is best to consume this mineral through your daily diet. Oysters contain more zinc than any other food so you can add oysters to prevent colds. However, oysters should not be eaten raw; uncooked oysters can contain bacteria that are harmful to your body and cause you to get sick in other ways. Therefore, please add this kind of seafood in the meal of the family as a natural medicine to help your cold and flu.
Cabbage
Cabbage contains vitamin C, which helps cells in the immune system work well. It is in the family of family of cruciferous vegetables. It has an abundance of antioxidant protecting our cell health strengthing your body health. Also in cold weather where exotic food is not regularly available. This vegetable is affordable and regularly accessible with a significant amount of vitamin C, E and A.
When you have the flu, the amount of vitamin C in your body tends to decrease, so you should eat cabbage before, during and after illness to prevent, and restore your body.
Garlic
Spicy garlic cloves are more effective than just increasing the flavour of the dish. In particular, garlic contains allicin, a sulfuric compound capable of producing antioxidants as it decomposes, one of three important active ingredients, called the strongest natural antibiotic, which is more potent than penicillin, capable of reducing cough, expectoration, breathlessness and no congestion.
Studies show that trace elements in garlic contain antimicrobial agents that enhance the immune system’s ability to lower high blood pressure, prevent cancer, cure the flu, fight infections, and many other diseases.
A 2001 study on Advances in Therapy found that people who consume garlic in the 12 weeks between November and February had fewer colds than those taking a placebo. And with the people who got sick, those who eat garlic also show faster recovery. Garlic contains the greatest amount of antioxidants when eaten raw. If you are reluctant of the super strong taste of garlic, you can use the extracted garlic capsules.
Fresh ginger
Fresh ginger is often used to enhance the taste of food or tea drink in everyday life. In ginger contains gingerol to increase the body’s resistance and it is effective against influenza.
According to oriental medicine, ginger is spicy, warm, has the effect of welding, help to stop the feeling of nausea and vomiting as well as aid in the detoxification of the body. Ginger is often used to treat common illnesses like nausea, abdominal pain, or flu.
Yoghurt
Yoghurt contains a lot of probiotic good for your body
Yoghurt contains a lot of good bacteria for the body, especially the digestive system so can act as a natural medicine for cold and flu. Lactic acid in yoghurt stimulates the growth of intestinal flora, reduces the activity of intestinal damaging substances, and stimulates appetite and helps metabolism and absorption of nutrients for the body. For sick people, it is a really easy and effective remedy. The digestive system working well will help you avoid the symptoms of flu. Also, yoghurt has a beautiful effect and helps to enhance longevity.
Green tea
Another solution to providing water for your body when having a cold or flu is to sip a cup of hot green tea. According to Rena Zelig, a nutritionist at Rutgers University, flu and cold are often associated with upper respiratory symptoms, and drinking warm fluids can help open up the airways. Green tea also contains strong antioxidants, add a little honey to a cup of green tea will help to soothe the throat and reduce a cough effectively.
A cup of hot green tea can help your cold and flu
Cashew – The regulator controls the development of the influenza virus
Cashews are rich in minerals such as zinc, selenium and iron that boost the immune system. Especially zinc because it can directly control the development of influenza virus. Also, cashews are also high in fat, protein and calories, but fortunately most of this fat is unsaturated fat – which helps to produce good cholesterol and helps to circulate blood throughout the body.
Cold and flu aren’t seen as dangerous diseases, but there are few things that can make you feel worse than having one these. Cold or flu drain out your energy, they make you feel horrible and stop you from doing anything productive. And it can be hard to cure and can last a long time too. That’s why you should pay attention to take in healthy food and drinks that can help prevent these illnesses or can help you get well faster if you are unfortunately sick. Here are some foods – natural medicine that can help your cold and flu. For more useful knowledge, please visit our website at https://naturalorganicliving.com.au/. Thanks for your reading.
