Cold and flu season affects everyone sooner or later. Natural remedies are superior in comparison to the standard cold medicine in a number of ways. Some enhance immune function giving you a chance to escape the cold or flu season. If you happen to get it, you will fight it more effectively. Natural remedies can be found in herbal teas, extracts, tablets and supplements.

One of many natural replacement for over-the-counter cold medicine is Sambucol- Elderberry a tablespoon of sambucol extract every few hours enhances immune function. Sambucol fights infection and is loaded with bioflavonoids and vitamin C-a powerful pair. You can find Sambucol at your local health food store. Sambucol Elderberry extract has been clinically proven effective in reducing the severity and duration of flu.

Oscillococcinum (oh-sill-oh-coke-see-num) a homeopathic remedy that is a mouth full to say, but must be taken as soon as you feel the flu symptom if it is going to be effective, just one dose should do the trick. Be sure to check individual package for dosage instruction. You can find Oscillococcinum at your health food store of your local pharmacy.

Zinc lozenges are an effective cold remedies if taken right away. An experiment study compared zinc to placebo, participants who sucked on zinc lozenges every couple of hours found that the length of their cold was cut in half. Zinc seems to inactivate viruses in the throat as you suck on the lozenge.

Vitamin C will often stop a cold from developing or if a cold develop, it can help reduce the severity and length of time of the cold. Although Vitamin C is not toxic, large doses may cause side effects like diarrhea.

Herbal Steam for a Decongestant
When herbal steams are inhaled, they get right where they are needed delivering antiseptic, and a decongestant. Remember to always test the heat with your hand before placing your face over the pot. And when you can use distilled water for your herbal steam.

Herbal Steam
8-cup water
3 tablespoons eucalyptus leaves
2 tablespoons thyme leaves
1 tablespoons rosemary leaves
1 tablespoons peppermint leaves

Once water has cooled to a comfortable temperature, drape a towel over your head to trap the steam as you breathe in the vapors. Breathe deeply-through your nose if you have a cold or sinus infection or through your mouth if you have a cough. After you have finished inhaling the steam, strain out the herbs and pour the solution into the bath for a herbal tea bath.

Chamomile can help clear your stuffy nose and sinuses. Pour hot water over a handful of chamomile flower heads in a bowl, place a towel over your head, lean over the bowl and breathe in the steam.

Deep-down congestion boil one quart of water and remove from heat. Add 5 to 8 drops of eucalyptus oil stir and pour into a large pot drape a towel over your head to trap the steam as you breathe in the decongesting vapors. An added bounces your face will gat a mini-detoxification treatment in the process.

Cold and Flu Tea
This tea blend can boost your immunity and help ease the discomfort of a cold and flu. Store in an airtight jar away from heat and light for up to a year.
2 ¼ Teaspoons echinacea leaf
2 ¼ Teaspoons elder flower
2 ¼ Teaspoons yarrow leave and flowers
1 ¼ Teaspoons peppermint

To make 1 cup of tea:
1-2 teaspoons tea blend,
½ -1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (optional)

Place all herbs in water and simmer, cover for 10 to 15 minutes remove from heat, Strain herbs, and discard. Drink up to 3 cups of tea per day as needed.

Ginger is known to boost immune system and can soothe a sore throat and eliminate mucus. For years, the Chinese have use tea made from fresh ginger root to treat colds, coughs, and flu. Simmer three to four thin slices of fresh ginger root in a pint of water for 10 to 30 minutes for a warm tasty tea that could reduce your cold symptoms.

Citrus fruits rinds like tangerines, oranges and lemon-contain essential oils, which naturally clear out stuffy sinuses and respiratory tracks. They can be used one at a time or as a combination, add a teaspoonful of grated zest to a cup of herbal tea.

You can also gargle with a cup of tea every hour to soothe a sore scratchy throat using any of the following antibacterial and antiseptic herbs echinacea tincture, sage tea, thyme tea and chamomile tea or spray the back of the throat with goldenseal or myrrh tincture diluted with an equal amount of water.

Acupressure for Nasal Relief
1. Start with your middle fingers at the base of the cheekbones, directly below the iris of each eye.
2. Next, press all four fingers upward and hold for up to 30 seconds.
3. Then release and repeat.

The goal is to reduce both congestion and pain related to the sinuses. You should feel immediate relief, but this depends on how congested you are. This technique is more effective at the onset of a cold than three days into one. Likewise, the number of repetitions needed depend on the severity of the congestion.

You can also apply acupressure to the fold between your forefingers and thumb to alleviate sniffles and other cold symptoms. Use your right hand to apply pressure to the fold on your left hand for at least a minute. Then repeat the technique switching hands.

Magnetic Therapy
Though more popular in Japan, magnetic therapy has been used increasingly in recent years to help fight the flu, or at least keep it from becoming debilitating. At first sign of the flu symptoms sufferers can place a wrap, or small pad that has been studded with flat flexible magnets directly over their liver (located below the right front ribs.)

Cold Showers
Researchers in Germany discovered cold showers help prevent colds. Subjects of the study had to take a hot shower, and then turn on cold water for the last two minutes. The year long study, found that those who used the cold water at the end of their shower had fewer colds than their hot-shower counterparts did. The theory is that not only was circulation improved, but so was the flow of white blood cells, which fight infection.

Get Plenty of Rest
Drink warm liquids such as herbal teas and freshly pressed vegetable broths, and raw apples, or berries juice. Keep bottled water handy. Cooked vegetables and brown rice are good foods during a cold or flu. Avoid all sugar, or eat a very low sugar diet. Foods with sugar and refined flour can suppress your immune system.

This information is not intended to replace the care or advice of a physician. If a cold or flu persist, seek medical help immediately. This information is for informational purpose only.