The flu season is just around the corner again.
While living in California seems to say we don't experience extreme cold like other parts of the country, there's definitely more cold virus going around this season that makes us sick so much more often. Especially with my little one attending a preschool, I do feel like I'm constantly fighting cold that keeps coming back throughout the season.
When you have a little one under 4, you oftentimes feel really helpless watching your little one suffer through those fever, aches, sore throat, coughs and congestion.
Many visits to doctor's office oftentimes just results in, giving them over the counter medicines, rests, and lots of fluids. Also, it doesn't help that kids under certain age are not allowed to take medicine that helps with congestion/runny nose. It certainly isn't an easy time of the year when you are constantly awaken by the little one crying at night because he/she can't breathe through the nose or can't blow their nose on their own.
When the cold lasts for weeks on and off, it just doesn't feel right to constantly live off of those over the counter medicines and solely rely on it to make you feel better. Of course, lots of rests, humidifiers, soups all help. But there are other natural remedies that definitely help you get through the season. I've tried these many times which definitely seems to help and my friends and family also swear by them too. And hey these are all 100% natural so they really won't harm you at all even if you go overboard with them.
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Here are few proven natural remedies for colds this winter.
1. Honey Lemon Tea - Boost Vitamin C In Your Body!
This is my favorite way to boost vitamin C in my body. All you have to do is slice lemons and fill it up in a jar and pour honey to make it complete. Let it sit for 2-3 days and start scooping those delicious honey lemons in a cup with hot water and drink your hot lemon tea. It tastes delicious and is so good for your body during flu season. It helps to prevent catching a cold, ward off the cord when you start to feel like you are about to catch a cold.
Extra dose of vitamins C will also improve your skin in general and boast energy so this is a sure way of make you feel better even when you are not sick.
2. Cut Onions For Your Nose - Best Home Remedies For Sniffles and Congestion
Kids under 4 years old are prevented from taking any medicines that help with their sniffling nose. It's so painful to watch the little one suffer with their congested nose, especially at night, since there is really nothing you can do other than give them general medicine which oftentimes does nothing to your runny nose.
Cutting onions in a room and putting it close to your the head while sleeping helps with nose congestion. Onions are also said to soak up toxins, bacterias, and pollutants from the air that can affect your health. During flu season, taking an onion and slicing it and placing in a bowl or a cup and placing around the house helps to purify the air of your home, helping you and your family getting over the sickness faster.
Since you can't really give flu medicine to your little one for their congested nose anyways, why not give this a try while they are sick?
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3. Pear Tea For Your Cough - Natural Remedy for Cough
During flu season, I've gone through countless bottles of cough medicines during flu season. I've visited doctors and also have been prescribed inhalers to cure the never going away cough.
It is known in Korean community that pear juice helps to relieve the symptoms and also anti-oxidant nutrients in pears help build up the immune system. For kids that are still developing their immune system, pear juice is great during the flu season to strengthen their immune system and relieve cold symptoms. Pear juice is known to be especially good for your respiratory system, especially strengthening the functioning of your bronchus, and its anti-inflammatory component helps to relieve the pain caused by inflammation.
Pears naturally taste sweet and combined with honey, it is easily drinkable as a sweet beverage while helping your body recover faster from the cold.
4. Doraji Tea for Your Cough - Natural Remedy for Cough
Another really great natural medicine that can be taken is Doraji tea. Doraji is the roots of the 'balloon flower' and can be easily bought at a Korean grocery store. Stores normally sell these in dried forms. Koreans oftentimes cook with these roots as a side dish but brewed in hot water, it has many great benefits to help you with your cold.
Studies have shown that doraji have anti-inflammatory effects and aid respiratory illnesses. It has been a common folk remedy for colds and coughs when served with honey. It is said to help dialate bronchial vessels and eliminate phlegm, addressing the oftentimes the cause of your coughs.
Doraji naturally tastes bitter so when made as a tea, it can have the bitter taste, which may not be so pleasant to drink.
Do you have any other natural remedies that may help during the flu season? Do share your experience!