Herbs For Flu

HERBALISM:

Herbs for flu are given in doses that are for adults. If giving herbal remedies to a child between the ages of twelve and seventeen, reduce the dose to three-quarters of the recommended dose.

For a child between the age of six and twelve, use one-half the recommended dose, and for a child under the age of six, use one-quarter of the recommended amount.

Anise - Helps to stimulate mucus secretion in the throat and lungs, and relieves cough.

Boneset - An infusion of Boneset will help relieve muscle and bone aches. Works as an expectorant and eliminates mucus from the lungs.

Catnip - Relieves digestive problems during flu attacks.

Cayenne - Keeps mucus flowing and aids in preventing congestion and headaches.

Echinacea - Relieves flu symptoms. Boneset - Helps to increase the immune-stimulate effect of Echinacea by as much as 1000 percent.

Elderberry - Helps to prevent infection if you have the flu and also helps to speed the recovery from the flu.

Ephedra - Helps to dilate bronchial passages to deepen and intensify breathing. Drink 8 glasses of water daily when using ephedrine.

Fritillaria - Relieves sticky phlegm, snoring, and chronic sore throat.

Garlic - Help to prevent bacterial infections that may develop in addition to the flu.

Ginger - Relieves chest and nasal congestion and scratchy throat.

Kudzu - Relieves muscle tension that accompanies the flu.

Licorice - Accelerates healing and helps to prevent infection.

Linden-flower - Suppresses cough and reduces fever.

Mullein - Helps to soothe sore throat and encourages expectoration of phlegm.

Olive Leaf - Enhances immune function and fights all types of infections, including the flu virus.

Osha - Contains a compound that kills both A and B strains of the flu.

Tiden flower - Prevents headaches and relieves scratchy throat.

Herbs for flu also include aromatherapy.

AROMATHERAPY - ESSENTIAL OILS

There are several methods of aromatherapy that are very helpful in combating the flu:

1) Steam inhalations - can be used with or without a vaporizer

Eucalyptus or Peppermint - If you have a congested nose or chest, add a few drops to a steam vaporizer.

2) Baths - use herbs for flu in your bath the next time you have a cold and turn it into a healing bath. Enjoy a 10 minute bath and breathe deeply.

Tea Tree - Add 2 drops of tea tree oil to a hot bath to help your immune system fight the viral infection and ease symptoms. Do not exceed 2 drops because tea tree oil can irritate the skin.

3) Gargle - do not swallow.

Tea Tree and Lemon - Gargle with one drop of each oil add to a glass of warm water; stir well before taking each mouthful. Start using gargle in flu season if you are around anyone coming down with the flu or if you are coming down with the virus.