Islamabad: December and January are characterized by two things in Pakistan: weddings and the flu. By now, it just seems like everyone here is either attending a wedding or wrapped up in bed with hoards of used tissues around them. Flu symptoms can cause a world of misery, from fever and cough to sore throat, nasal congestion, aches, and chills. But hey, we’re here to make it easier for you!
You can get a cold by touching your eyes or nose after you touch surfaces with cold germs on them. You can also inhale the germs. Symptoms usually begin 2 or 3 days after infection and last 2 to 14 days. Washing your hands and staying away from people with colds will help you avoid colds. Compiled from Times of India, here are some quick, easy, and cost-effective ways to get rid of that flu just in time for the next big wedding.
Home Remedy to Get Rid of Cold and Flu
1. Bottoms up!
The flu can severely dehydrate you, especially when accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea, so it’s important to consume fluids. Start with fruit juices rich in Vitamin C and if you’re not feeling up to the tangy taste, water will also do. Just stay away from caffeinated drinks as caffeine is a diuretic.
Other than this, chicken soup, herbal teas, and warm milk are good options too. A particularly strong remedy is Golden Milk or haldi doodh as we call it in Pakistan. Just boil a glass of milk with a pinch of turmeric in it and it’ll clear up those sinuses in no time!
2. Be a couch potato
Now, we know you really have to show face at your friend’s last dance practice but listen to your body! If it’s urging you to spend all day in bed, you do that. Getting some rest is important to help support your body’s ability to fight infections.
Oh and don’t skimp on your sleep because that’s when you get the most rest. A good night’s sleep helps strengthen the immune system, thereby keeping the flu at bay.
3. Blow off some steam
This at-home remedy isn’t new but we thought we’d include it just because of how beneficial it is. Breathing moist air helps ease nasal congestion and pain. Simply heat some water in a saucepan and breathe in its fumes for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
Another way of taking steam is by indulging in a hot shower once or twice a day while you’re unwell. There is nothing like standing under warm water on a cold winter’s day, especially when you’re all clogged up inside.
4. Swish and spit
A glass of warm water with a pinch of salt (or one Disprin, for severe throat aches) can do wonders too. The temperature of the water soothes soreness while the saline content helps ease the pain. Not to mention, gargling gets out phlegm that can collect at the back of your throat during a cold, especially if you’ve been lying down.
5. Be a sucker for cough drops
The best part about this remedy is that it can be done anywhere – even at a wedding. All you have to do is invest in a box of cough drops, lozenges, or hard candy and make sure you have them at regular intervals to keep that bad throat in check.
But remember: these may look and taste like candy but they are not. This is a form of medicine you are taking that must be administered diligently for it to work. So be mindful of when and how much you need to have.
