The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Green Tea
Posted by Matthew (Santa Rosa, CA USA) on 12/12/2008
★★★★★
Yea to Green Tea for remedying my flu. Nay to ACV. ACV made me not feel so sick but my symptoms continued to worsen. I've started drinking green tea and it is making a big difference. I have been using a couple teaspoons of honey with every cup.
South American Herb
Posted by Angel (Santa Marta, Magdalena , Colombia, S.A.) on 11/14/2008
★★★★★
There is a plant call "Paralpal" that cure any kind of flu or respiratory viral infection. Unfortunately is not sell in any store, you have to process it, dry it up grind it. if you take it for a while it will inmune you to any flu or viral infection
The plant grow in Santa Marta Columbia, S.A
One teaspoon in the morning with breakfast and you be Ok.
I have been taking it for a couple years, no side effects as matter fact it will help for other ailments
Angel
EC: Unfortunately we can find no information on "Paralpal" (either text or image) on Google. Is there another name for this plant?
Green Tea
Posted by La Tanya (Patterson, California) on 03/04/2008
★★★★★
I have been drinking green organic green tea from China for about two years now. It certainly has excellent health benefits. Before drinking green tea I would normally come down with a cold or flu at least twice a year and it would last a good two weeks, but since I've become a green tea drinker I don't catch a cold or flu. I may get a little sniffle but they may be due to my allergies. Also I notice my energy is always up when I'm drinking my tea consistently. I drink a minimum of 3 cups a day and as an iced tea and I also drink the tea leaves as well.
Green Tea
Posted by Amith (Durban, South Africa) on 02/11/2008
★★★★★
Green Tea boost my immune system. Green Tea is the most awesome tea, recently taken the world by storm. I drink 3 cups a day, which is the equivalent of eating 8 apples according to the daily mail. Tea can also rehydrate you so can be used as a substitute for water. I know this because my pee is mostly clear. I used to get the flu 4 times a year without failure. Even during the summer. I suffered for year. ie until I Started to drink Green Tea. My energy levels shot up. I only got sick once in the 2 years that I have been taking it. I think it was the airline food and the long thirsty journey that caused my Tonsillitis. I might have even died the Doctor told me if I didn't have a strong immune system. Well anyway. I haven't been sick drinking green tea.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Marinette (Cleveland, USA) on 10/21/2007
★★★★★
Last Winter I came down with a terrible cold that might have been pneumonia, as a lot of this was going around. I could barely get any rest at night because of the constant coughing, and I went through boxes of Klennex blowing my nose and sneezing. Also, I usually can get rid of a cold or flu with herbal teas, but nothing made a dent in this. I tried raw garlic but it seemed to do nothing. After trying for a week everything that usually works on a cold right away, I started taking Oregano Oil and Oregano capsules. I took 2 drops of the oil 3 times a day and 3 of the herbal capsules 3 times a day. The Oregano herbal capsules also have dried garlic and onion powder in them and something called Rhus Coriaria. After taking this for a day or two LOTS of bright orange mucus came out of my sinuses and lungs. It still took a few more days after that to feel completely well, but each day I was finally getting better, not just staying the same or getting worse. You might not want to post the name of the book I found this information in, but it is called "The Cure Is In the Cupboard" by Dr. Cass Ingram. I mention this because Oregano Oil is an essential oil and should not be taken in large amounts. People should really read about it before taking it, and there is a lot of inferior Oregano oil on the market. Also, it is used for many different ailments because it kills fungus, bacteria and viruses and different ailments require different dosages. I found that the best way to take it, at least for me, is to put one drop on my finger, lick it off and have a glass of water standing by. Then I take two big drinks of the water. This oil is HOT! I would not recommend waiting around holding it in your mouth to test just how hot it truly is.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Natalie (Newport News, VA) on 05/01/2007
★★★★★
I just wanted to let you all know that I tried the grapefruit seed extract remedy two days into my having continual flu symptoms (high fever 103 with aches and pains). On the evening of 4/25 I started to feel really weak so I went to lie down. By late that evening I was running a high temp of 103.4 and started becoming really achy. I tried everything to get the fever down butI couldn't, so that morning of 4/26 I took a 200mg ibuprofen. I was still achy though and by the next morning the fever spiked up to 103.7. I had tried so many things already to get rid of the bug, but I couldn't. (garlic and apple cider viner, egg whites to lower the fever (I think I didn't use enough)). I succumbed to over counter medicine and went ahead and took a naproxen. It broke the fever within an hour. But I wanted to get rid of what ever it was that was causing the fever. Then I read about the grapefruit seed extract, so I told my husband to please go to the vitamin store and pick one up for me. As soon as I got home from work, I drunk me a glass of water with the 15 drops. I felt ok and then I drunk a second cup and I felt even better. By the next day 4/28, I didn't have anymore headaches, backaches or weakness. I just felt like I had a a soar throat. So I continued taking it for the prescribed three days and thank God the bug is gone. This stuff works! I'm a believer. This stuff can be used for so many other things as well. I will always keep stock of this stuff in my medicine cabinet.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon Juice
Posted by Petran (Toronto) on 04/14/2006
★★★★★
Thanks for this remedy I tried it on my two daughters and i can tell you it truly worked. About 5 min. after they drank it both of them started to vomit. It releases the mucus that's was on their chest hence the vomiting. Now they are both coughing less and more active. Thumbs up Carrol, it worked wonders!!! ....Thanks again!
Coconut, Neem & Blackseed Oils
Posted by Sasha (Jamaica) on 05/02/2026
★★★★★
Remedies for Sore Throat and Flu
I mixed 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil with 1 teaspoon of cold-pressed organic neem oil and 1 teaspoon of blackseed oil. I then dipped my finger in the mixture and rubbed it on my throat, around my ears, and at the back of my neck. Within a few hours, the sore throat was gone, and the flu symptoms disappeared by morning. I did the same for my daughter, and she was perky the next morning, no flu symptoms or sore throat.
Mama's Flu Recovery Remedies
Posted by Saundra (Il) on 12/19/2022
Hello and thank you for the mouthwash recipe! Can you please let me know what kind of black seeds you use? Are they black sesame seeds or?
Mama's Flu Recovery Remedies
Posted by Karen (Australia) on 12/17/2022
Is the peroxide already 3% or do you dilute it to make it 3% and where do you purchase peppermint extract?
Oscillococcinum
Posted by Madelyn (Idaho) on 09/20/2023
Hi Art, I got Oscillococcinum last year, but always waited too long to take the first dose. I'm going to set it out on the counter so I don't forget next time. Did you find that you only needed 1 dose / 1 little vial taken at the first inkling you might be getting sick, and that was enough to prevent the cold or flu? Thanks :)
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Peter (Chicago) on 05/28/2020
★★★★★
BELOW is Ted's old post. Does he means mixing the 2000 mg Vitamin C with baking soda in a glass of water? Can someone help! "The simple remedy not to get disease during long distance flying is to take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda plus 2000 mg of vitamin C before, during and after the trip. The negative ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) of a chemical of vitamin C is strongly negative in an alkaline solution of baking soda, which will counteract quite easily the positive charges of static electricity caused by the plane as it flies high in the clouds."
EC: Hi Peter. Yes, he meant to take the baking soda in a glass of water.
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Peter (Chicago) on 05/28/2020
BELOW is Ted's old post. Does he means mixing the 2000 mg Vitamin C with baking soda in a glass of water? Can someone help!
"The simple remedy not to get disease during long distance flying is to take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda plus 2000 mg of vitamin C before, during and after the trip. The negative ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) of a chemical of vitamin C is strongly negative in an alkaline solution of baking soda, which will counteract quite easily the positive charges of static electricity caused by the plane as it flies high in the clouds."
EC: Hi Peter. Yes, he meant to take the baking soda in a glass of water.
Spicy Flu Drink
Posted by Anonymous (USA) on 11/20/2013
For the chills:
- 1 cup hot milk
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp clove powder
Mix it all up and sip it, it gets rid of the chills, aches and pains. Better than coffee. Try adding nutmeg or cocoa. Especially good with cantaloup and oranges.
Supplements
Posted by Anonymouscat (Pdx, Or) on 01/15/2013
My MD is not suppose to suggest vitamins, because of med board . Anyhow the medical tech handed me a sheet on the way out. How to protect and prevent the flu naturally : Vitamin A & Beta Carotene take 100,000 IU for a day for one month to build level up then taper down to 25000-50000 IU for maintence, D3 5000 IU, (Vitamin D 1000IU for per 25 pounds of body weight if you get the flu increase dose to 2000 IU per body weight ) Zinc, Vitamin C 1000 mg four times day Vitamin E natural from High in gamma-E. Iodine and Iodide (Iodine complex or Lugol's Iodine are natural disinfectants ) Additional vitamin B, Selenium, Magnesium. And Beta glucan. Take a good probiotics , drink green tea. Drink lots of water to stay hydrate to help body flush out germs.. Lastly, always
wash your hands I wear gloves to avoid touching public doors I carry a hand sanitizer santize
front and back of the hands. Stay away from travelers hubs, hotel, pubs, and avoid big crowded places. This is new one for me avoid anyone that took the flu shot for three week they may be shedding the flu virus. Avoid sugar and dairy, but especially sugar. Alkalizing twice a day.
Hope this helps and stay well!
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Tg (Manhattan, Ny) on 01/15/2013
★★★★★
YEA!! The aspirin remedy really helps beat the flu! I just used it to beat the flu, along with Vitamin C and Olive Leaf extract and it really works! I find it best to take it just before going to sleep... 4 low dose aspirin (81 mg).
Humidifier
Posted by Jc (New York, Ny) on 01/13/2013
I read that keeping your bedroom humidified between 40-60% is optimal for killing flu viruses. Any higher than 60% will promote bacteria and mold, so you need a thermometer in the room which also measures humidity. I have been using a $30 humidifier on cold days and turning it off when it rains. Makes the room very cozy and peaceful to sleep in.
Tomato Tea Remedy
Posted by Jennifer (Sunrise, Fl, USA) on 03/19/2012
★★★★★
I can't believe how well this works. I'm still in shock!
2 days ago, I started to become sick with the flu when I was on a 18-hour flight. On came the chills and fever, and then my nose kept running non-stop. To make it worse, the changing cabin pressure on the descent gave me excruciating sinus pain and made my ears clogged to the point where I couldn't hear out of both ears anymore. I can't take cold medicine because I have thyroid disease, and I am slow to recover because my metabolism is very slow.
Yesterday my sinuses and fever got worse. I remembered reading about this remedy on Earth Clinic and I was eager to try it. Luckily I had all the ingredients on hand. I used V8 Spicy Hot juice, lemon juice (bottled), minced garlic, a lot of tabasco sauce (as much as I could stand) and a dash of celery salt for taste. I heated it in the microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes and then sipped and inhaled the fumes as directed. About 10 minutes after I started to sip it I noticed an increase of nasal discharge. I had to keep blowing my nose over and over again, but this time when I blew my nose I actually felt like I was clearing it out, instead of the feeling of blowing your nose and feeling like it gets clogged up again 5 minutes later. The pressure in my ears released about 60% and I regained most of my hearing. My fever increased and for a few hours I felt pretty rotten, even though my nasal passages had cleared. But in a few hours I felt at least 60% better, which is amazing considering that it usually takes me 3 weeks to recover from a cold! I slept all through the night with no problem.
This morning I made another tomato tea. While drinking it, I felt my left ear "pop" and the pressure released. I now have full hearing in my left ear and a 70% improvement in my right ear. I then took a hot shower afterwards (the steam helps to open the sinus passages) and kept blowing my nose. My nasal congestion is about 85% gone, I don't have a fever or chills anymore, I got most of my hearing back and I don't feel groggy anymore!
It doesn't seem so crazy why this works when you do some research on capsaicin. Capsaicin is also the active ingredient of pepper spray. Capsaicin is an irritant, and when you inhale pepper spray, your body pushes it out by forcing your sinuses to clear themselves and making your nose run uncontrollably. Have you ever eaten a really spicy dish and had your nose start to run?That's the capsaicin at work.
I have Vietnamese friends who swear by a similar remedy that works in the same way as the tomato tea. They swear by eating pho (a hot fish/noodle soup) when you are sick. They put a lot of Sriracha (Vietnamese hot pepper sauce) in the soup and breathe in the hot fumes. The steam and pepper helps open and clear the sinuses.
I have also been drinking echinacea tea with a tbs of coconut oil and I've also been drinking some ACV throughout the day. (I don't take the ACV too close to the tomato tea though, because ACV is alkaline while the tomato tea is very acidic).
Thank you, thank you, thank you Earth Clinic for this wonderful remedy! I can celebrate my 30th birthday this weekend without feeling miserable :)
EC: Check out the classic Tomato Tea Recipe from Earth Clinic here. A number one remedy for colds and sinus congestion.
Tomato Tea Remedy
Posted by Saleh (Kuala Lumpur) on 09/29/2015
Forever debted for this remedy. Sometimes I just opt for a tomato instead, or easier - a tablespoon of tomato ketchup is suffice. I think tomato is the star here. thanks earth clinic.
