The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can be deadly. It can cause various symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, coughing, and fatigue. It’s highly contagious, and you may have gotten it from another person at work, school, or home.
The CDC recommends washing your hands often and staying home if you feel sick. But some natural remedies may help reduce your symptoms. The most severe complications from the flu are dehydration and pneumonia.
While the flu virus is highly contagious, it’s possible to prevent the spread of the virus by washing your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
The following home remedies for the flu are safe for both children and adults:
Chicken Soup
While there is no specific cure for the common cold, some say that chicken soup can help fight off the symptoms of colds, especially regarding the flu.
According to a study, hot liquids can ease congestion in your nose and throat by thinning out mucus and opening up your airways. This allows you to breathe more easily when congested and prevents further infection from viruses.
Chicken soup has also been said to help with muscle aches and pains because it helps restore hydration levels in your body. Chicken soup contains sodium and potassium, electrolytes that keep water in your cells and restore fluid balance—a process essential for easing muscle pain and cramps.
Chicken soup is also healthy for you because of its vitamin A content, which helps your body produce white blood cells that fight off infections from colds or flu viruses. The collagen in the chicken soup also helps treat stomach cramps and diarrhea because it’s a protein used to repair and rebuild tissue. Furthermore, chicken soup is rich in the amino acid glycine, which has been shown to help reduce muscle cramps and pain by relaxing the muscles.
