11 Effective Natural Remedies To Treat Viral Infections

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Viruses cause familiar infectious diseases such as the common cold, flu and warts. A viral infection can be in different places in the body, some viruses are mainly in the intestine, while others prefer the lungs and airways. With a viral infection you usually have a fever, but other complaints can range from abdominal pain and diarrhea to coughing and shortness of breath.

11 Effective Natural Remedies To Treat Viral Infections

Honey

Honey is the greatest gift of Mother Nature that has been used by humans since the beginning of civilization and ancient Egyptians used it as an important anti-bacterial agent for treating wounds and cuts. The antioxidants and anti-microbal properties of honey helps in soothing cough and it helps in treating nigh time cough in infants and promotes undisturbed sleep.

Green Tea

Green tea contains a group of flavonoids called catechins, which appear to inhibit viral infections by binding to the haemagglutinin of the influenza virus and so preventing the virus from entering the host cells.

Olive Leaf

As antiviral herbs, olive leaf is used to treat the flu, common cold and herpes. Olive leaf can be taken as a tincture, capsule or tea mixed with mint. Avoid during pregnancy.

Holy Basil

Holy Basil is of great religious significance to the Hindus and has been used for ages as a medicine for relieving stress and anxiety in Ayurveda. The leaves of basil have powerful anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties that work effectively for the treatment of fever, flu, swine flu, bronchitis, malaria, headache and sore throat.

Vinegar

Vinegar is known to help in cases of flu as it is alkaline in nature and balances the body’s alkaline levels, and alkaline is not the best environment in the body for viruses to grow. So, having apple cider vinegar is a great to cure flu. The way to have the applecidervinegar is simple. Add a spoon to a glass of water and have directly. Have it a couple of times a day to fight flu and get rid of the viral infection.

Cat’s Claw

In addition to being an antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral herb, cat’s claw is also known for boosting the immune system, increasing your body’s protection against illness. Cat’s claw can be taken as a tea, tincture or capsule. Do not take during pregnancy.

Garlic

It is used as a folk remedy in many cultures to protect against colds and influenza. In laboratory studies, garlic was found to possess antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Chilies

Chilies make you sweat and your nose run every time you have too much of them. The cayenne pepper will help you produce more mucus and clear out all kinds of blockages and help you breathe easy. So, increase your chilli intake a little and get rid of the mucus to breathe easy.

Lukewarm Bath

Start off by drawing a lukewarm bath. Have the person with a fever get in and relax while the temperature of the water slowly drops. Because the temperature of the water drops slowly, the person cools down slowly as well. You don’t want the water too cool because you don’t want to drop the body temperature too fast.

Astragalus Root

Astragalus is one of the antiviral herbs that works by boosting the immune system. Taken internally, either as a capsule, tincture or buy adding it to soup, astragalus root is known to increase your body’s defense against viruses. Astragalus root is best used as prevention, so take it during flu season or before going places with large crowds of people. Avoid if you already have a fever.

Ginger

Ginger is another herb known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties. It is used to prevent and decrease duration of the common cold. Ginger can be taken as a tea, in capsule form, or added to meals.

Sources:

1) http://www.naturecures.co.uk/virus.htm

2) http://jonbarron.org/article/how-fight-colds-flus-and-infections

3) http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/antiviral-herbs.html

4) http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/natural-supplements-cure-viral-infections.asp

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Prof. Hesin
I am herbalist and write on variety of topics from nutrition to natural health, herbal medicine, nutritional supplementation, mind/body medicine and i enjoys the challenge of providing my family with healthy food options that fit with their busy lifestyle.