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Cold & Flu Recovery: 5 Steps To Take If You’re Already Sick

January 04, 2018

There is so much information on how to boost the immune system naturally, but what can you do if you’re already sick?

Here are 5 easy ways to get better fast if you’re suffering from an acute cold or flu.

How To Speed Your Recovery From a Cold or Flu

1. Drink Fluids, Broths, & Teas

The best way to accelerate cold and flu recovery is by drinking more fluids. Staying well hydrated keeps infection wastes moving through the body, so they don’t continually re-infect you.

In contrast, dehydration concentrates illness toxins in your body and makes you feel worse.

Keep a water bottle handy day and night. Sip on herbal tea (like ginger tea or one of my Immune Teas) when you’re not drinking water. Have fresh, organic fruit or vegetable juice with breakfast and lunch.

Have a cup of vegetable broth or miso soup after dinner. Add garlic and onions to any soup or broth for extra benefits.

You will be amazed at what a difference drinking more fluids can make for your recovery time and how you feel.

2. Hydrotherapy

Use the power of water to get back on your feet if you’re feeling sick. Hydrotherapy increases circulation, and stimulates natural cleansing through the liver, colon, lymphatic system, and skin.

In the morning, take an alternating hot and cold shower to stimulate natural detoxification and wake up your brain.

Begin with a hot shower for three minutes. Then, change to cold water for two minutes.

Repeat this three times, ending with cold. Make sure to bundle up afterwards with some tea.

In the evening, take a hot bath with Epsom or Dead Sea salts. This helps cleanse toxins, opens up your breathing passages, and relaxes stressed muscles.

If you’re feverish, take a cool bath instead, or apply a cool pack to your face and neck to help you sleep.

3. Try Antimicrobial Herbs

Herbs like echinacea, elderberry, turmeric and ginger fight pathogens, and can reduce the duration of a cold or flu.

Start herbs (like Immune Daily Tonic) as soon as you begin experiencing symptoms for the best results.

Simple garlic tablets are another great anti-flu therapy, especially when nothing else seems to help.

For children who are sick, I like elderberry syrup. It’s an amazing anti-viral and gently eases a cough.

4. Breathe Easier with Steam Treatments

Being congested is one of the most miserable cold and flu symptoms. Use an herbal steam treatment to open up your airways.

Bring a big pot of water to a boil. Allow to cool slightly. Add in 2-3 drops of 100% pure tea tree or eucalyptus essential oil.

Place a towel over your head and breathe in the antiseptic oils from the pot, taking care not to get burned.

Remember, more is not better when it comes to essential oils. Just a few drops are effective to fight the infection and help you breathe easier.

5. Rest

Take time to rest. Being sick is one way your body lets you know you need a break. Take a nap every day if you can.

Stay home from work or work just a half of a day if necessary. Give your body some recovery time and it will thank you with improved health and energy.

Get Better Starting Today

If you’re sick, try these at home “rescue” therapies for faster recovery. If your symptoms don’t improve, worsen, or are accompanied by yellow or green mucus, a visit to your practitioner may be necessary.

However, most simple cold and flu viruses respond to natural therapies. Within a few days to a week, most people begin to feel better, sometimes better than before they ever became sick.

Natural ways to not feel like crap during colds and flu. (2017, Feb.) Retrieved from Wellness Mama, https://wellnessmama.com/207/flu-remedies/
Page, L. & Abernathy, S. (2011). Healthy Healing 14th Edition