Cold and Flu Symptoms

What are the symptoms of the cold and flu?
Symptoms of the cold and flu will vary widely with each person, however, usually you may start out with a bit of a runny nose and hacking cough. These symptoms can become worse and include headaches, fever,  watery eyes, and sore throat. You can have muscle aches and just feel tired and run-down.

There are many common remedies for the cold and flu. In the olden days, your grandmother may have used eucalyptus oil. She would have rubbed this on your body. Then there was always some of the mentholated rubs, these are made from the oil of peppermint and usually rubbed on the chest. I'll have to admit it does help clear the nasal passages so you can breathe better. Many of the OTC medications, (over the counter), promise to have you back on your feet in one or two days. Will they do it? That's a big question, and probably depends on how long you've had the symptoms.

Some of these quick cures will not allow you to function at your best, and may have only put your symptoms in somewhat of a suppressed mode, which may result in your feeling miserable longer. In many cases it might be best to just let it run its course. This way you may build up somewhat of an immunity to that specific strain of the cold and flu bug.

Of course if you feel you must do something, but you really don't like taking medicines, there are some herbal remedies you can use as alternatives. An astragalus root, while it does not cure the ailments, but is said to help prevent it. Basil leaves, along with a squeeze of lemon and a half-a-tea-spoon of honey is reported to be good for the sore throat. Another supposed remedy for the sore throat is to take bits of ginger, fry them in butter. When finished put them in your mouth and slowly suck the juice.

Probably your best defense once you decide you have contacted the cold and flu, is to drink plenty of fluids and get as much rest as possible. Herbal medicines and home remedies can help. Also, I'm sure you've heard that chicken soup is good for you. This may not be so much of an old home remedy as people think. There have been some testing done and yes chicken soup does help. Of course I think chicken soup was the only soup tested.

The cold and flu are now and have always been a great stress for humans. No one can say for sure how long the cold and flu virus have been around, but about as long as we've had cockroaches. They have been working on a cure for a long time, and the best they have come up with so far is to help you get through the symptoms maybe a day or two earlier. For the most part as I said earlier, get plenty of rest, and drink plenty of fluids and you'll be better in 5 - 7 days.