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It’s that time of year again! Cold and flu season is here. Fortunately, there are a few home remedies which can get help shorten the duration of illness and help you feel better in no time. Here are a few items you should add to your medicine cabinet:
- Ginger
Ginger root has been used to help cure colds for more than 5000 years when the ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius discovered its medicinal powers. The healing qualities of ginger provide you with a better immune system, settling an upset stomach, powerful detox, anti-inflammatory properties, warding off nausea and congestion and pain relief.
Along with its spicy flavour, Drinking ginger juice and ginger tea can help sooth a sore throat or a chest-rattling cough. Ginger powder and capsules can be used to treat abdominal pain and morning sickness in pregnant women. Ginger root can also be consumed by slicing into small pieces and eating them with a glass of warm water.
- Herbal teas
Just like ginger tea, herbal teas are extremely helpful to treat cold and flu symptoms. Different herbal teas have different healing properties. For instance, clove tea is good for your lungs, as it aids congestion and wicked coughs. Licorice tea is delicious and eases a sore throat. Peppermint tea has menthol in it, which is good for cold symptoms such as a pounding headache, nausea and congested sinuses. Eucalyptus tea can lower fever temperature and can release phlegm and relieve chest congestion. Pour any of these herbal teas into your favourite mug, smell the delightful aroma and let the healing magic begin.
- Garlic
Not only is raw garlic easy to find and inexpensive, it is a wonderful remedy for sickness. Garlic acts as natural antiseptic can greatly reduce the ruthlessness of cold symptoms and fight unwanted germs. It has been said that eating a fresh and raw clove of garlic knocks out the terrible and weak feeling we get when we’re sick. Though most of us are not as daring and prefer to have our garlic in our pasta or our bread, there are other ways to get your garlic intake. For instance, there are garlic supplements, powdered garlic which is from garlic that has been sliced, aged garlic extract and garlic oil which you can add to your own meals.
- Vitamin C
We could all use more vitamin C in our lives. Vitamin C provides our bodies with numerous health benefits such as improving our immune systems, maintaining bone density, absorbing iron, repairing and regenerating tissues, reducing the risk of heart disease and preventing scurvy. It also can shorten the duration of cold symptoms.
To include more vitamin C in your diet, you can take a vitamin C supplement or eat more foods filled with the great antioxidant such as apples, asparagus, berries, lemons, limes, kale, kiwi, oranges, red bell peppers, spinach and watermelon.
- Honey
Not only is honey sweet, but it also consists of a variety of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which fight and prevent cold viruses. Drinking honey in tea is soothing for your throat, acts as a cough suppressant and decreases the chance of getting a fever. Gargling honey in salt water can also be an effective way at staying healthy and ease a sore or scratchy throat.
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These tips are provided for information and prevention purposes only. They are general in nature, and Desjardins Insurance cannot be held liable for them. We recommend using caution and consulting an expert for comprehensive, tailored advice.
In Quebec, Desjardins Insurance refers to Desjardins General Insurance Inc. In Ontario and Alberta, Desjardins Insurance refers to Certas Direct Insurance Company, underwriter of automobile and property insurance.
