In everyday life, things like catching the flu or the common cold are regular occurrences. The medical science and technology continue to advance, but these illnesses, which are found in any place around the world, continue to avoid any means of successfully curing them at the start. Today, like it was many hundreds and even thousands of years before, the same diseases are simply cured by allowing the body’s natural immune system to clear them out
However, this is often a long and uncomfortable period that demands a lot of rest and a bit of patience. Here, a lot of over-the-counter medication can help with the process of managing this condition and clear away some of the symptoms. Eventually, with their help to make things a bit easier, the same flu or cold and the person returns to the state of natural health. Yet, in many circumstances, a person might be under the same lack of access to any medication, let alone a pharmacy or a doctor’s office.
Situations like this can come in many forms, from being lost in the wilderness to natural and man-made disasters that can rob even the urban environment from any medical assistance. In this case, anyone who harbors a mentality of preparedness should know how they can use natural elements to help in treating the flu or a cold. In fact, most of these plants and other compounds actually represent the basis for formal medicine. Here is an explanation of how they work and a list of 15 plants to relieve cold and flu symptoms.
Mechanisms of Plant Action
While there is no cure for cold or flu, there is a range of plants and other things that help with the symptoms. Essentially, all of these illnesses are infections that spread through the body. Here, they induce inflammation, as well as mucus being produced in the lungs, throat, and nose, but also headaches, fatigue, and muscle soreness. The following plants to heal a cold or flu can both deal with some of these symptoms and aid the body in its natural immune reaction to the same infection.
1. Cayenne Pepper
There is no need to underline that this plant is very hot when consumed by a person. But, this also makes it useful in the common this type of can break through mucus congestion and also warm the person up. Its composition is able to lower the level of inflammation, while it also possesses vitamin C, which is an important immune booster.
2. Echinacea
Many scientists in the world believe that one day, this plant will be the basis for a true common cold flu. Studies have shown clearly that for some reason this plant can stop the virus from replicating itself. Until the actual cure is made, everyone should use it as one of the plants to heal a cold, especially when it comes to pain relief and inflammation reduction.
3. Elderberry
This plant is used for a wide range of issues with the upper respiratory tract. This means that it is useful in the case of respiratory infections, arthritis pain, and even as an antiseptic mouthwash. This is why it is no wonder it can be used as one of the plants to plants to relieve cold and flu symptoms. A recent study showed that the plant is effective when defending against the development of influenza.
4. Eucalyptus
This plant is essential in many cultures which have easy access to it for one important reason – it opens up airways from any potential congestion. In treating a cold or the flu this comes as a huge benefit. With that in mind, this pleasant-smelling plant is one of the first lines of defense when a person has trouble breathing cause of these two illnesses.
5. Garlic
Ago-old home remedy and one of the most important foods for a healthy diet, garlic is a great aid for any type of flu or cold-like condition. As a food, it is full of antiviral and antibacterial elements, without any risk to the healthy parts of the body. This makes garlic one of the first natural defenses against flu and the common cold.
6. Ginger
In the modern day and age, the usefulness of ginger is seen mainly in its ability to decrease nausea. When it comes to plants to heal a cold, ginger is also among them because of its antiseptic properties. More importantly, it impacts any respiratory problems by lowering any pain and adding a healing component.
7. Ginseng
Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. What makes it one of the plants to relieve cold and flu symptoms is the fact that it boosts the immune system. This allows for all of the symptoms to drop down in their intensity and then open a way to full healing.
8. Goldenseal
The domain of Goldenseal is used as an antiseptic and a strong immune system booster. The second element is achieved by Goldenseal ability to kick-start the work of the spleen. It should never be overlooked in the natural environment.
9. Honey
Obviously, honey is not a plant but bees use plants to make it and it can be a very effective natural remedy for a cold or a flu. The product of the hard labor of bees is an incredibly potent food and supplement. Thanks to its density and basic chemical properties, it has excellent antiviral and antibacterial properties. With a cold or the flu, it is also one of the best means of soothing a sore throat or a dry cough – a single teaspoon will do wonders, especially during night time.
10. Lemon
The citrus fruit is known and used across the globe for treating a range of problems, including fatigue and symptoms of flu and cold. The lemon juice comes loaded with vitamin C and also plenty of antiseptic properties. Both mean a lot during the sick periods when a lemon-infused tea can turn a bad day around.
11. Mint
In general, mint is known as a fantastic herb for tea-making and can deal with a range of stomach issues in this form. Yet, it is also useful as one of the plants to heal a cold. Its strong and soothing scent will allow the airways to become more open and will also help anyone who is ill get a good night’s rest.
12. Onion
Onion is a highly versatile plant. It is able to impact a range of elements inside of the digestive tract of anyone who eats it, from being a and feeding the good gut bacteria to strengthening the immune system. It can be easily found all over the world and even in the complete wilderness, which makes it highly useful in survival situations.
13. Sage
If a person found itself in the natural environment with a persistent sore throat, sage could be the ideal ally. This plant can reduce any pain from a cold and flu in the upper respiratory tract and even stop these illnesses from fully developing in these areas of the body.
14. Thyme
The main domain of Thyme activity during a cold or flu scenario is respiratory infections. With its astringent properties, it can deal with persistent coughs and general issues with the lungs. It should also shorten the duration of the same illnesses.
15. Turmeric
This spice got a huge amount of attention for the researchers around the world. Among many health benefits, it also has a general ability to prevent a range of diseases. The same is true for cold and flu, thanks to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
These plants are readily available and their usefulness is clear. This is why everyone, no matter the circumstance which can be anything from a regular camping to a natural disaster, should think about using them the next time a cold or flu comes knocking.
