Many people look forward to the holiday season. It is the time to get together with friends and family, but low temperatures are a factor that can cause respiratory diseases. These home remedies will help you raise your defenses and be stronger against any illness.
A balanced diet is key to having strong defenses, since consuming certain foods provide us with nutrients to strengthen our immune system. However, we can help ourselves with some home remedies, which combine different natural products to keep us strong.
However, we must not forget that no home remedy or food is the cure for an illness. If you or your little one have any discomfort or symptoms, you should go to the doctor to get the appropriate treatment.
Honey lemon tea
This recipe is a granny’s classic home remedy because when we go down with a cold, they tell us that this drink will help us cope with the symptoms. Honey has many benefits: it is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, it is a natural sweetener, and best of all, it only has 64 calories.
On the other hand, the lemon has a high content of vitamin C; it also has antiviral properties that help raise the defenses against possible viral infections. Attention! It helps our body to strengthen our immune system, but it does not mean that lemon cures a viral or bacterial infection.
Ointments with ginger
Ginger is a plant native to Southeast Asia which is used in many food recipes, but it is also used to calm many ailments, since its properties provide many benefits, including raising our defenses and it is udes in many home remedies.
Gingerol is the main active compound in ginger and the one that gives its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; it also helps reduce stress and therefore raise our defenses. Whether you consume it in tea, or in some food, the ginger ointment helps stimulate the respiratory tract, thus helping to decongest.
To prepare this ointment, boil a few pieces of this root; then grind the root (if you have a mortar, it is much better, otherwise you can crush it with some hard object to apply pressure). You are going to grind the root until its consistency feels like a paste, and at night, apply it on the chest.
Saltwater washes
Another home remedy: Making a solution with salt and water helps clean the mucous that is generated in the respiratory tract. Pour a teaspoon of salt into a glass of water and stir. Whether you gargle or put small drops directly into your nose with the help of a dropper, it will help keep your breathing passages clear, due to the astringent properties of salt.
Garlic
Because it contains phytochemicals (compounds that help promote the immune system), garlic is a food that you can eat in small pieces or you can add it to your meals. It will help you raise your defenses.
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Juice against flu
This drink is also a mom’s classic because as soon as the winter arrives, moms prepare this juice for their children. The ingredients, orange, pineapple, guava and a few drops of lemon, are rich in vitamin C to raise defenses.
Remember that these home remedies only help us raise our defenses and they complement other factors such as sleeping well and eating a balanced diet. Check them and prepare for your little ones the one you consider best.
Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara
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