Many people consider they have flu when in fact it’s the common flu. To some extent the symptoms are initially similar, but a cold rarely affects your ability to function, whereas flu means you probably can’t get out of bed.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of varieties of flu; the most recent to hit the world was swine flu. Flu is a virus which gets into your respiratory systems mainly via airborne water particles produced by carriers of the virus when they cough or sneeze. Additionally, the flu virus has the ability to survive for some time on surfaces that have been touched by people with flu. This makes it an incredibly contagious illness and hence it’s almost impossible to control; air travel has undoubtedly played a part in how quickly a strain of flu can spread around the world, as was the case with swine flu.

The other difficulty with flu is that it mutates. That is to say it changes its appearance and becomes resistant to the latest flu vaccines, meaning that although a vaccine works fine for one flu virus, once it mutants it ineffective.

Additionally, you are able to spread the virus to others a day or so before you even get any symptoms yourself and you can remain a carrier for at least a week after you have become ill.

Besides having a vaccination for flu before you come into contact with the virus, there is little you can do by way of pharmaceutical medical remedies. The market is swamped with flu-relief drugs that claim to help, but the most they are able to do is to give some relief from the symptoms. Eventually your body will overcome the virus on its own.

An increasing number of people consider that boosting your body’s natural immune system will help prevent you getting the flu virus. An example of a method that possibly does this is Chinese herbal supplements that contain the correct mixture of vitamins to boost your immune system. However, once you have flu, you can only take herbal remedies to relief symptoms, rather than cure you.

As discussed, once you have flu you have to let it run its course and relieve the symptoms as best you can so in effect prevention is something that everyone needs to consider during the flu season.

Several alternative and complementary preventative medicines that are praised by practitioners as being effective are detailed below.

Echinacea; it was first used by American Indians. It has been found to contain a chemical which activates part of the body’s immune system that is responsible for increases defence against viruses.

Garlic; it has been found to have anti-bacterial properties that help the immune system to fight infection. Echinacea and garlic is said to work well together.

Ginger; is considered to be an anti-viral herb and contains about 12 different compounds that help to boost the immune system. It also can reduce fever, lessen pain and has a mild sedative effect.

www.SolsticeMed.com is the leading provider of traditional Chinese herbal medicines and remedies. Follow this link for detailed information on Chinese sinus remedies and medication for congestion and sinus trouble.

http://www.SolsticeMed.com is the leading provider of traditional Chinese herbal medicines and remedies. Follow this link for detailed information on Chinese sinus remedies and medication for congestion and sinus trouble.

Author Bio: www.SolsticeMed.com is the leading provider of traditional Chinese herbal medicines and remedies. Follow this link for detailed information on Chinese sinus remedies and medication for congestion and sinus trouble.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: flu, influenza, herbal remedies, alternative medicine, natural remedies for flu, flu remedies