Buzz
When flu-like symptoms appear, you might feel there's little you can do to stop the illness. However, adding garlic to your diet can boost your immune system and reduce the severity of the illness. While 'cure' might sound exaggerated, garlic can help you recover from the flu faster and with less discomfort!
Steps
Using Garlic to Help Alleviate Flu Symptoms
Find out if garlic can help reduce flu symptoms. A recent study demonstrated the effectiveness of garlic on 146 people over 3 months. Those who took garlic supplements experienced flu symptoms 24 times, compared to 65 times for those who didn't. Additionally, flu symptoms in garlic users were shortened by 1 day.
- In another study, garlic users had fewer flu symptoms and recovered faster. This is likely due to increased immune cells in those who took 2.56 g of garlic capsules daily.
- Most researchers believe allicins, sulfur compounds in garlic, help combat the common flu. Other elements like saponins and amino acid derivatives in garlic may also reduce viral load, though their mechanisms are not fully understood.
Dealing with Garlic Odor. Many people may be concerned about the smell of garlic. The compounds believed to combat flu viruses are also the ones responsible for the odor. Therefore, to help alleviate flu symptoms, you need to manage the garlic smell.
- Fortunately, you should take time off from school or work and stay home to avoid others. Rest and drink plenty of fluids. This means that while garlic has a strong smell, most of the time, only you and your loved ones will be around it. It seems like a small price to pay for faster recovery with fewer symptoms!
Consuming Raw Garlic. Always start by eating raw garlic if possible. Peel the cloves and use a garlic press or knife to crush them. Every 3-4 hours, eat about one clove of raw garlic. Simply peel and eat!
- If you dislike the taste, you can mask the odor by mixing it with orange juice.
- You can also combine garlic with lemon water. Add garlic to a mixture of 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 180-240 ml of water, then stir well.
- Alternatively, raw garlic can be paired with honey water. Honey has both antibacterial and antiviral properties. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of honey into 180-240 ml of water and stir thoroughly.
Using Garlic in Cooking. While raw garlic may seem best, cooked garlic still contains allicin, which is believed to be effective against the flu. Peel and crush or mince a few cloves, then let them sit for about 15 minutes to allow the enzymes to activate the allicin.
- Use 2-3 cloves per meal when you have a cold. For light meals, add crushed/minced garlic to broth or vegetable soup and heat as usual. For regular meals, try cooking garlic with vegetables or adding it to rice while cooking.
- You can also mix crushed/minced garlic into tomato or cheese sauce once you feel better. Rub crushed/minced garlic onto meat and cook as usual.
Brewing Garlic Tea. Hot drinks can also help relieve nasal congestion. Boil 3 cloves of garlic (halved) in 720 ml of water. Turn off the heat, then add 120 ml of honey and 120 ml of fresh lemon juice, including seeds and peel, which are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
- Strain and sip throughout the day.
- Refrigerate the leftovers and reheat if needed.
Using Garlic Supplements. This may be the best option for those who dislike the smell of garlic. To ease flu symptoms, take 2-3 grams of garlic daily, divided into multiple doses.
Identifying and Treating the Common Cold
Understanding the common cold. The common cold is primarily caused by rhinoviruses. These viruses typically infect the upper respiratory tract (URI), but they can also affect the lower respiratory tract and occasionally lead to pneumonia. Rhinoviruses are most prevalent from March to October.
- The incubation period is usually short, lasting about 12-72 hours after exposure. Transmission occurs when you are in close proximity to someone who is sneezing or coughing due to a cold.
Recognizing the symptoms of the common cold. The initial symptom is often a dry and itchy nose. A sore, itchy, or irritated throat is another early sign.
- This is usually followed by a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. These symptoms typically worsen over the next 2-3 days.
- Nasal discharge is usually clear and thin but may become thicker and slightly yellow.
- Other symptoms include: headaches or body aches, watery eyes, facial and ear pressure due to sinus congestion, loss of smell and taste, coughing and/or hoarseness, vomiting after coughing, irritability or restlessness, and possibly a mild fever, especially in infants and young children.
- The common cold can lead to complications such as ear infections (otitis media), sinusitis, chronic bronchitis (pneumonia with coughing and obstruction), and can exacerbate asthma symptoms.
Treating the common cold. There is currently no cure for the common cold. Instead, focus on alleviating the symptoms. Medical recommendations include:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Fluids can include water, fruit juice, clear chicken broth, and vegetable broth. Chicken soup is ACTUALLY very effective in reducing common cold symptoms.
- Gargle with warm salt water. Warm salt water can help soothe a sore throat.
- Use cough medicine or throat sprays if frequent coughing prevents adequate rest.
- Take over-the-counter cold or pain relief medications. Always follow the instructions on the label.
Assessing the severity of the illness to see a doctor. Most cases of the common cold do not require a doctor's visit. However, if you or your child experience the following symptoms, call your doctor:
- A high fever above 38°C. If a child under 6 months has a fever, call the doctor. For children of all ages, call the doctor if the fever reaches 40°C or higher.
- Symptoms lasting more than 10 days
- Severe and unusual symptoms, such as intense headaches, nausea or vomiting, or difficulty breathing.
