The flu shot receives a lot of attention at this time of year, but remedies for cold and flu season drastically differ depending on where you live in the world.
From the Iranian Honeypot to the French homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum, there are many culturally diverse ways to calm and minimize flu-like symptoms.
Common flu-like symptoms include fever, chills, body aches and pain.
In Mexico and Spain, garlic tea is a go-to solution because of its antibacterial properties. Iranians will use turnips mixed with honey (called an Iranian Honeypot) as an expectorant for respiratory illness. The Greeks have used oil of oregano since the days of Hippocrates for respiratory infections. The French rely on a 70-year old homeopathic flu fighter, Oscillococcinum, to shorten the duration and intensity of flu-like symptoms.
Some of these remedies that are closer to the earth are worth giving a shot. Once a patient gets the flu, physicians are really limited when it comes to recommending anything from conventional medicine. There isn’t a cure for influenza, so using some of these tried and true remedies to reduce the effects of flu or even shorten the duration can be really helpful.
For example, some of my other favorite remedies to recommend are simple items from your pantry. Try honey to calm coughs and soothe sore throats, ginger for nausea and vomiting, and hot lemon water rich in vitamin C for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. Additionally, staying hydrated, getting at least eight hours of sleep each night and frequent hand washing with soap and water (as well as getting a flu shot) can help prevent contracting the flu in the first place.
In my practice, I recommend Oscillococcinum to my patients above the age of two. I find it important to have on hand during flu season because it is a low-cost, reliable solution for the entire family and, if used within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, clinical studies have shown it can provide “clear improvement” or “complete resolution” of flu-like symptoms within 48 hours.
If you get the flu in France, the first thing that many physicians recommend is Oscillococcinum. The key is you should take it right away. That’s why it’s important to stock up before flu season wreaks havoc in your home and office.
For more flu fighting tips, follow me this flu season @DrRedcross or www.drredcross.com.
Some of these remedies that are closer to the earth are worth giving a shot. Once a patient gets the flu, physicians are really limited when it comes to recommending anything from conventional medicine. There isn’t a cure for influenza, so using some of these tried and true remedies to reduce the effects of flu or even shorten the duration can be really helpful.
For example, some of my other favorite remedies to recommend are simple items from your pantry. Try honey to calm coughs and soothe sore throats, ginger for nausea and vomiting, and hot lemon water rich in vitamin C for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. Additionally, staying hydrated, getting at least eight hours of sleep each night and frequent hand washing with soap and water (as well as getting a flu shot) can help prevent contracting the flu in the first place.
In my practice, I recommend Oscillococcinum to my patients above the age of two. I find it important to have on hand during flu season because it is a low-cost, reliable solution for the entire family and, if used within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, clinical studies have shown it can provide “clear improvement” or “complete resolution” of flu-like symptoms within 48 hours.
If you get the flu in France, the first thing that many physicians recommend is Oscillococcinum. The key is you should take it right away. That’s why it’s important to stock up before flu season wreaks havoc in your home and office.
For more flu fighting tips, follow me this flu season @DrRedcross or www.drredcross.com.