Flu Remedies

Flu Remedies are a very hot topic these days especially since the H1N1 or Swine Flu scare. Most people place their trust in the flu vaccine to keep them safe; Not very effective as I will discuss shortly.

The flu, more accurately known as “Influenza”, is an infectious disease commonly associated with chills, sore throat, fever, aches and pains, coughing, weakness and overall discomfort.

You have probably also heard the flu virus referred to as grippe.

Apple cider vinegar has often been used effectively as a home remedy for flu. More about this further down the page but first ...

Some Cautionary Comments

Symptoms of the flu are often confused with “influenza-like” illnesses such as the common cold but are usually more severe; sometimes even fatal if your immune system is compromised such as in the case of the elderly or very young.

Do not be tempted to buy over the counter medications that treat the symptoms instead of the actual virus.

These types of medications may suppress the symptoms but they also interfere with your body’s natural self-defense mechanism which could result in serious consequences.

Flu remedies should assist your body deal with the illness not interfere with its natural immune system.

Apple Cider Vinegar - The Flu Remedy

ACV has been used in flu remedies as well as other illnesses or conditions such as colds for centuries. It has been used successfully and safely against flu symptoms like cough, sore throat and sinus infection.

Colds and flu cause your body’s pH to become slightly more acidic than healthy levels. Although apple cider vinegar itself is acidic, it has an alkaline effect which helps to balance out the pH level of your body.

Does that make sense to you? It didn't to me either; at least not at first.

The Acetic Acid Paradox

For most people it would seem rational that if you add vinegar to an acidic system it would only increase the acidity of the system.

I see comments to this effect in web blogs all over the internet and people turn away from vinegar because of them.

The people who make such comments are often quite insulting and use the term "science" to defend their position.

They say adding acid to acid can only result in stronger acid but ....

Sir Hans Adolf Krebs proved otherwise when he won the Nobel Prize in 1953. (see grey box at right)

If you have doubts, try it for yourself ...

Try this Experiment

Examine your urine before and about 2 hours after drinking a solution of 1 tablespoon ACV / 8 oz of water. You will find your urine to be clearer after taking the vinegar than before.

You can also try testing the pH level of your urine by using litmus paper before and 2 hours after. This little test will confirm that your urine has become more alkaline as a result of drinking apple cider vinegar.

Vinegar also slows down the production of mucus and because of its potassium content it can decrease or eliminate the watery eyes you often get with a sinus infection. Mucous will become clear and runny so your system will be able to eliminate it quicker.

You can get Litmus Paper from Amazon - PH PAPER 100 STRIPS or Micro Essential Lab 51 Hydrion Wide Range pH Test Paper Dispenser, Single Roll, 1 - 11 pH

How Should You Drink it?

If you are like most of us the thought of drinking vinegar probably sounds gross to you. But I have found it to be a lot easier than you would expect.

There are several ways to “get it down” and some of them are quite pleasant.

• The adventurous can simply mix 1-2 tablespoons of ACV in with 8 ounces of water and drink it 3 times a day
• If this is too bitter for you, add 2 tablespoons of honey to the mixture and use hot water instead of cold. It tastes rather like a hot apple cider which many people enjoy
• You can also try adding it to apple juice for a pleasant drink
• Try it in your tea
• Sip it slowly throughout the day by making a mixture of 1/8 to ¼ cup with 16 ounces of water
• Of course you can always add it to sauces, dressings or marinades instead of drinking it. Be inventive

The point is it doesn’t matter how you consume flu remedies, but how much and when. My suggestion is to start taking it as soon as you feel flu symptoms start.

Better still, since vinegar is such a great tonic for your overall health, consider taking it daily. I do.

Daily consumption will help to keep your body’s pH level stable and support a strong immune system to fight off flu and colds and all kinds of other afflictions that may come your way.

Other Methods

Apple cider vinegar does not always need to be consumed when you are suffering from cold or flu. Many people find external applications help as well.

• Relieve Chest Congestion - Soak a piece of brown paper in ACV and coat one side with black pepper. Press the pepper side against your chest for about 30 minutes
• Calm a Stubborn Cough - Sprinkle some ACV on your pillow before retiring for the night
• Ease a Sore Throat - take a strong mixture (half and half) of ACV and water to use as a gargle every hour until the soreness eases. Make sure you spit the solution out instead of swallowing and then rinse with fresh water.

Return HOME from Flu Remedies

Vaccines Are Not the Answer

As you know you can get vaccines for the flu although I personally am not sold on their effectiveness.

There are over 200 variations of flu and they are constantly changing or mutating.

This makes it very difficult if not impossible for scientists to achieve any success in their formulations.

The fact is current vaccines are developed based on the previous year's virus and often are not the protection we expect and are sold on.

I much prefer natural flu remedies that help your body strengthen it's own natural immunity rather than chemicals that try to "trick" an immune response.

Return HOME from Flu Remedies

Essential Oils - God's Gift to You

If you have enjoyed www.vinegar-home-remedies.com perhaps you would be interested in my other site www.essential-oil-remedies.com

If you found this information helpful please share it ...