Are you on the lookout for an alternative or natural method of treating flu or cold? Well, you are lucky: this article has a list of some of the most authentic and helpful tips for managing cold and flu naturally. Be assured these tips will work well for you and children equally.

Get enough rest and stay warm
When you are experiencing the early symptoms of flu or cold, you should immediately cover yourself and stay warm. Following this, you should seek some rest. Together these two tips help your body conserve energy and use it to fight the disease. Since this requires a lot of energy, you should ensure that your body is well-rested to better prepare for this fight.

Blow your nose often
When you are suffering from a cold or flu, there’ll be a frequent build-up of mucus in your nose. You should blow it all away. Do not ever consider sniffing back the mucus. This is important because when you sniff back hard, there’s a pressure involved that can make the phlegm, which has germs in it, travel to your ear. It can thus result in earache. So, whenever you have to blow your nose, do it, and do it gently.

Gargle
Gargling is an incredible tip for managing cold and flu naturally. It helps hydrate the sore throat, thereby bringing temporary relief. You should gargle at least four times a day with salt water. To lower the tickling sensation in the throat, you can use an astringent-based gargle like tea, which has tannin in it that helps tighten up the membrane. The other way to do this is by using a thick and viscous gargle solution. This can be made by using honey, or you can mix honey with apple cider vinegar.   

Take a steam bath
Steam helps moisturize the nasal passages and bring instant relief. If the flu is making you dizzy, you can sit down on a stool nearby and run a steam shower.

Consume hot fluids
Hot fluids help you stay hydrated. They prevent dehydration, relieve you from nasal congestion, and soothe the inflamed membrane or the lining of the throat and the nose. In case the congestion is hampering your sleep, you can try the classic hot toddy, which is an age-old method of treating congestion. You can also make some warm and soothing herbal tea. Keep away from alcohol strictly during this time as they can cause inflammation in the membrane and aggravate the situation.

Use two pillows to sleep
When you elevate your head, it will help you overcome the congestion in your chest and nasal passage. However, if the elevation is awkward, try and place the pillow in-between the bed’s box springs and mattress for a better gradual slope.