Not just chicken soup!

Try these great cold and flu remedies 

It’s that time of year when just about everyone seems to be coughing, sneezing or just feeling generally miserable. Yes it’s cold and flu season and it’s hitting with a vengeance this year. 

Flu in particular hit a historic high in July, hitting NSW and Queensland hard with a reported 35,315 and 19,662 reported cases of laboratory confirmed influenza cases in 2017. There are even reports in some states that pharmacies are running low on the flu drug Tamiflu. 

If you’ve been laid low with a bad cold, bedridden with the flu or just don’t seem to be able to stop coughing we’ve got some great remedies that will help you feel better – but remember, if you’re really unwell always seek medical advice. 

Cold remedies 

There’s no cure for the common cold but according to the Mayo Clinic there are a number of cold remedies that will make you feel better, faster. 

It’s important to stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey will help to loosen congestion and prevent dehydration. Sipping warm liquids such as herbal tea (or chicken soup!) can be soothing, and try to avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas. 

A saltwater gargle will give temporary relief to a sore or scratchy throat – just dissolve around half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water.  Ice chips can also help, particularly for the littler members of the family. 

Over-the-counter saline nasal drops will help combat stuffiness and congestion and a great way to help clear that blocked nose is to add some moisture to the air with a cool mist vaporiser or humidifier. 

Cough remedies 

While there are plenty of over the counter cough remedies available, sometimes it’s good to try a more natural cure. Here’s a few that have been handed down through the generations that will help you to stop coughing:

1. Honey. It’s the cure-all for just about anything and it definitely works for a cough. Just take it straight or mix with coconut oil and lemon juice for some extra health benefits.

2. Thyme. Yes thyme is a great little herb to have on hand when you can’t stop coughing – just brew yourself up a tea by adding 2 teaspoons of dried thyme to a cup of boiling water and letting it steep for 10 minutes. Add some honey and lemon for an extra boost.

3. Black pepper. Ok this one might sound a little odd but it’s great for a wet cough because pepper stimulates circulation and mucus flow. Just add one teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and 2 tablespoons of honey to a mug and fill with boiling water. Cover and allow to steep for 15 minutes then strain and sip.

4. Ginger. Another ancient medicinal miracle – just make a tea by adding slices of fresh ginger to boiling water and simmer for 20 minutes to extract all of that gingery goodness.

Flu remedies 

There’s no doubt about it, if you have the flu (and not the man kind of flu) you’ll be finding it hard to lift your head off the pillow. Which (although it may not seem like it at the time) is actually a good thing because rest is one of the best things you can do to help you recover from the flu. 

As with a cold, staying hydrated is super-important to help you feel better so try to keep the liquids happening, especially water, herbal teas, fruit juices and electrolyte beverages. 

If your head is banging away, try a warm compress on your forehead and nose. Just use a warm face cloth or make your own compress by filling an old sock with rice, dry beans or oats.  Add the contents of a peppermint teabag then tie off the end and microwave for a few seconds. That’s instant heat, right there when you need it. 

Although getting out of bed may be the last thing you want to do when you have the flu, a nice warm shower will help you feel better, particularly if someone changes your sheets for you while you’re at it so you can come back to a nice fresh bed. 

If a cold or flu is getting you down this winter try to focus on something that’s going to happen once you feel better. Maybe it’s some spring gardening or landscaping (yes spring really is just around the corner!), a little bit of renovating, a wardrobe spring-clean or a quick getaway somewhere sunny – whatever it is, keeping your mind on it will help keep your mind off how lousy you’re feeling. 

Whatever your something-to-look-forward-to is, if you need a little financial help, we’re here to help you make it happen. Just check out our flexible mini-loans to find out how easy it is to get some extra funds – once your loan is approved, we can usually get a payment into your bank account within 24 hours so you can stop thinking and start doing!