The flu is a respiratory infection caused by a virus that spreads easily and affects the nose, lungs, and throat. Though often confused with a common cold due to similar symptoms, flu symptoms typically develop much faster, within 2-3 days of infection. Unique signs of influenza include high fever, dry cough, body aches, nausea, and vomiting.
While resting and taking prescribed medications is crucial during the flu, symptoms can also be alleviated with natural remedies. One of the most popular is the combination of garlic and lemon, known for their exceptional medicinal properties.
Garlic: A Powerful Flu Fighter
Garlic is not only a staple in various culinary dishes but also a potent natural remedy for numerous health issues, including the flu. Here are the key properties of garlic that make it effective against flu symptoms:
- Antibacterial Properties: Garlic’s richness in active compounds like allicin makes it a powerful natural antibiotic. It can alleviate high fever, chills, and sore throat while eliminating bacteria causing the flu.
- Analgesic Properties: The essential oils and minerals in garlic provide analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce body aches and headaches.
- Expectorant Properties: Garlic helps to reduce dry cough and respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, throat soreness, and nausea caused by mucus buildup.
Lemon: A Nutrient-Rich Flu Remedy
Lemon is packed with nutrients effective against the flu, including flavonoids, vitamins C and B6, calcium, magnesium, and citric acid. Here are the main properties of lemon that aid in flu recovery:
- Expectorant Properties: Essential oils in lemon relieve cough, mucus, and congestion in the nose and throat.
- Anti-Flu Properties: Citric acid and flavonoids in lemon provide antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral benefits, combating flu viruses and preventing viral infections.
- Diaphoretic Properties: High alpha-pinene content in lemon helps regulate body temperature, alleviating high fever and chills by promoting sweating.
- Immune-Boosting Properties: Lemon enhances the immune system by stimulating white blood cell production.
How to Cure the Flu with Garlic and Lemon: A Simple Home Remedy
Combining garlic and lemon creates a potent remedy for flu symptoms. Here’s how to prepare and use it:
Ingredients:
- 6 cloves of garlic
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 glass of water
Preparation and Treatment:
- Heat a glass of water until it boils, then let it cool.
- Peel and chop 6 cloves of garlic. Add them to a blender with the cooled boiled water.
- Cut a lemon in half, squeeze the juice, and add it to the blender.
- Blend until you achieve a syrup-like consistency.
- Store the mixture in a glass jar and take 3 tablespoons daily until symptoms improve.
Additional Recipes with Lemon and Garlic
Lemon and Onion Syrup:
- Onion is known for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Peel and slice an onion, place the slices in a jar, cover with half a glass of honey, and add the juice of two lemons. Let it sit for a day in a cool, dark place. Take 3 tablespoons daily.
Garlic and Turmeric Tea:
- Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Prepare an infusion by mixing a clove of garlic with boiled water and half a teaspoon of turmeric. Drink once daily.
Garlic, Lemon, and Apple Cider Vinegar Drink:
- Boil two cups of water, add 4 crushed garlic cloves, a tablespoon of vinegar, and the juice of a lemon. Let it rest for a while and take a spoonful daily.
Using these natural remedies can help manage flu symptoms effectively, complementing conventional treatments and speeding up recovery.