Suffering from a flu virus can put you out of action for days - often weeks. Help your body to rid itself of the virus more quickly using the best of herbal wisdom.

Often a bad cold can seem like flu, but whereas you can still function despite feeling ill if you have a cold, flu is more debilitating and can take several weeks to recover from. As flue is a virus, it won't respond to antibiotics or conventional medical treatment, but herbal remedies ease the symptoms and boost your immune system so that you can recover from the virus more quickly and avoid most of the unpleasant side-effects.

The onset of flu is usually experienced a aches and pains all over the body, a high fever, headache, sore throat and an inability to do anything but rest. Your body's reaction to the virus is to raise your temperature to burn it out of your system, so you need plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Herbal teas and infusions are nature's gift at this time.

The flu is a highly infectious type of virus and there are many different strains, all immune to the healing effects of antibiotics. It spreads through water droplets and in sneezes and coughs, so it can quickly pass through groups of people, especially in such places as offices, schools and public transport - anywhere, in fact, where large numbers of people congregate.

If your immune system is strong, you will have more resistance to the virus, lessening your chances of succumbing to it. You will also be able to recover more quickly, so boosting your immune system by using herbs, ensuring that you eat well and get enough rest, will help you to avoid the worst of the bug when it's circulating. If you're feeling generally tired and run down, you will be more susceptible, so take steps to strengthen your system. Even if you are unable to avoid the flu, you will at least be in the best position possible to fight it.

Combine some of the effective flu-fighting herbal ingredients available to make concoctions that will soothe, heal and nourish you until the virus has been banished.

Echinacea:Echinacea strengthens and heals your immune system. It is best taken for short periods with breaks in between. You can buy Echinacea tea and add honey to it during and immediately after a bout of flu and can also use five drops of Echinacea tincture in a glass of water if you need fast action

Onion:A natural antiseptic, onion can be taken easily by adding the raw slices to a sandwich. You can also make an onion infusion by slicing a large onion and leaving it to soak in half a liter of water for the day, then refrigerate it and drink three cups a day until you have fully recovered from the flu.

Eucalyptus:Eucalyptus relieves congestion in your chest and throat and lowers your temperature. A handful of eucalyptus leaves, boiled in a pan of water, allows it s healing vapor to spread through your home and eases your symptoms while also killing off any bugs in the air so that other people do not catch your flu. You can make eucalyptus tea by boiling two or three leaves in a cupful of water, or add a few fresh leaves to a hot bath.

Mustard:Mustard eases muscular pains and white mustard helps reduce the effects of inflammation and soothes coughs and bronchitis. This herb is a warming stimulant that helps to increase blood circulation around the body. You can make a tea by boiling half a teaspoon of white mustard seeds in a cup of water.

Liquorice:Liquorice helps to detoxify the liver and therefore benefits your whole system. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it useful for flu and it also helps to settle your stomach. You can chew liquorice sticks, or buy it in pastille or tea form. It can even be taken as a sweet if you need to boost your blood sugar levels. This herb should be avoided if you are pregnant or have high blood pressure.

Peppermint:Peppermint tea is a boon for shooing away colds and flu as well as stomach ailments. You can buy dried peppermint tea or boil a teaspoon of peppermint leaves in a cup of water; it helps to lower your temperature and refreshes your system. Its mild sedative actions will help you to sleep, allowing your body vital down-time to fight the virus, while it also increases a lost appetite, helping you to keep your strength up.

This nourishing soup will keep in the fridge for two or three days, so you can easily make a large batch even when you are ill to store and reheat it when you are hungry. To make a batch soup, you will need:

2 onions, sliced4 crushed cloves of garlic4oz red lentils1 liter of water1 vegetable stock cubeOlive oilA pinch of cinnamonSalt and pepper.

1. Fry two onions and four crushed cloves of garlic in olive oil until the onion is softened.

2. Dissolve the stock cube in the water and pour over the onions.

3. Add the red lentils cinnamon and salt and pepper to taste.

4. Simmer for 20 minutes then serve.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/997398/herbal_remedies_for_the_...