Bird Flu Natural Remedy
Natural Remedies Can Ease Bird Flu Symptoms
Although antiviral drugs are being used to ease bird flu symptoms and shorten the duration of a bout of bird flu, natural remedies for bird flumay be just as effective.
There are many problems with man-made antiviral drugs, such as shelf life, effectiveness of the drug once the virus mutates, and the high probability that the virus will develop a resistance to any drug that is widely used. That is why many people are looking into natural remedies for bird flu. These remedies have been found to generally ease flu symptoms and speed recovery and are not specific for one particular virus.
Popular Natural Flu Remedies
Vitamin C boosts the immune system and acts as an antiviral agent, since it blocks the enzyme neuraminadase, which the bird flu viruses need to reproduce.
Green tea (3-6 cups daily) is known to be a very effective antiviral agent. Green tea works much the same as Vitamin C, as it inhibits the production of neuraminadase. Also, drinking hot liquids will relieve nasal congestion and soothe your throat. Try a hot toddy: herbal tea, 1 ounce of whiskey, bourbon or rum, and 1 teaspoon of honey.
Fresh fruit and vegetables: Eat brightly colored fruits and vegetables (such as carrots, apples, oranges, blueberries, chili peppers, cranberries and bell peppers) and raw or lightly cooked garlic, horseradish and onion. These are packed with nutrients that can lower your susceptibility to the bird flu virus, especially if they are eaten raw.
Pure water: Try to drink 8 glasses of pure water a day and keep your mucous membranes well-hydrated. Try mixing 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water. Carefully squirt or sniff water into the nose. Hold one nostril closed by applying light finger pressure while squirting the salt mixture into the other nostril. Let the water drain out, repeat 2-3 times, then treat the other nostril. Make sure you blow your nose correctly: very gently, one nostril at a time.
Gargle: Gargling can bring temporary relief to a sore throat. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times daily. To reduce the tickle in your throat, try hot tea, which contains tannin, to tighten the membranes. Or try a honey gargle: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to two cups of hot water, then stir in 1 teaspoon of honey. Let the mixture cool before gargling.
Steam inhalation: Add 2 drops of tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil to a bowl of steaming water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapor for 5-10 minutes. This will relieve the congestion and fight infection.
Ways to Stay Healthy
Stay warm and get plenty of sleep - everyone needs 8 hours of sleep a night to be able to fight off infections. If you are tired, your immune system won't be able to fight off the flu.
Get plenty of exercise - exercise keeps your immune system in top shape and helps even after you've been exposed to the flu virus.
Don't smoke, and avoid smoke-filled rooms. Smoke impairs the function of your immune system, dries out your nasal passages and paralyses the small hairs in your nose and lungs that keep out viruses.
Natural remedies will be well worth trying during a bird flu pandemic, along with antiviral drugs - and especially if antiviral drugs and vaccines are not available.