Working through a bout of the flu? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one! This year’s flu season has turned out to be a whopper. For starters, it kicked off earlier than it usually does, catching many people by surprise. On top of that, the number of reported cases of influenza in densely populated areas like Boston and New York has forced officials to declare a flu epidemic.
While a flu shot may be the best way to avoid getting sick this season, there’s no surefire way of staying healthy. If you’re sick, the best thing to do is to say home so as to avoid exposing others. While you’re getting plenty of rest and cashing in on those sick days, tea can also be a great way to alleviate flu symptoms.
If your flu is causing severe congestion, drinking hot tea can help loosen up mucus. By relieving pressure in your sinuses, you can also help keep pain from headaches at bay. You can try holding a warm cup in your hands if you’re feeling chilly, and breathe in the steam to clear your nasal passages.
Drinking lots of tea also helps you stay hydrated while you’re sick, which is particularly important if your flu is causing you to lose liquids during the day. Try a decaf tea so that you don’t inadvertently keep yourself up all night with a caffeine overload.
A sore throat can also be incredibly irritating and cause you to lose sleep at night. Hot tea helps soothe the walls of an irritated throat. If you like sweetened tea, use honey since sugar granules can be abrasive. A wedge of lemon (or other citrus) is also good, since it adds an extra boost of Vitamin C to help your immune system stay strong.
If you’re dealing with the kind of flu that affects your stomach and has you feeling nauseous, try a tea like chamomile which also works as a good sleep aide. Teas with ginger are also good for helping to quell dizziness and an upset stomach.
Remember, tea is a natural, cheap, and comforting way to deal with flu symptoms, but it should never replace the advice of your doctor. So, if your flu is particularly nasty and you can’t seem to shake it off, make sure you contact a physician.