Viruses & Infections
Influenza (Flu)
A viral infection that often comes on fast with fever, aches, and deep tiredness, usually clearing in 1–2 weeks.
Also known as: The flu, Seasonal flu, nausea (definition: feeling of sickness or urge to vomit)
📝 At a glance
Likely root causes: Catching an influenza virus from an infected person nearby; Breathing in droplets from coughs and sneezes; Touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose, or mouth.
First thing to try: Stop and rest fully — clear your schedule and let your body pour its energy into healing.
See a doctor if: Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
🔎 Start with the cause
Lasting relief rarely comes from covering a symptom. First find what is feeding the problem, change what you can, and then help the body do what it was designed to do — heal.
Likely root causes
- Catching an influenza virus from an infected person nearby
- Breathing in droplets from coughs and sneezes
- Touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Crowded indoor settings, especially in fall and winter
- Being run-down from poor sleep, stress, or missed meals, which lowers your defenses
Change what you can
- Stop and rest fully — clear your schedule and let your body pour its energy into healing.
- Drink plenty of warm fluids: water, herbal teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea →, and vegetable broth replace what fever burns off.
- Breathe warm, moist air with a steam inhalationBreathing in warm, moist air to loosen mucus and soothe airways. How to make a steam inhalation → or hot shower to ease a stuffy head and chest.
- Take a little honey in warm teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea → to soothe a cough and sore throat (never for babies under 1 year).
- Keep warm and let a mild fever do its work; a cool cloth on the forehead feels good if you feel hot.
- Stay home, wash hands often, and cover coughs so you don't pass the flu to others.
🌿 Then assist nature: remedies & protocols
With the cause being addressed, these are the actual things people do for this — ranked by the community. Vote ▲ on what helped you and ▼ on what didn't, and open How to do it for the steps. Each shows two quick signals: Evidence (how much science backs it) and Gentleness (how safe and in keeping with whole, natural health).
★ Start here — our first-line pick, pinned for safety
This is supportive care alongside medical attention — flu is a viral illness that can turn serious, especially in the very young, elderly, or those with chronic conditions, so contact a doctor if you're in a higher-risk group or symptoms worsen.
How to do it ▾
Why it works: Rest reduces the body's overall energy demands so the immune system can focus on the virus, while fluids replace what's lost through fever and sweating and keep respiratory secretions thin.
- Go to bed and stay home, away from others, while fever and the worst symptoms last.
- Sip water, herbal tea, or clear broths steadily through the day — aim for at least 8-10 cups.
- Check your temperature periodically and note how you feel, so you can track whether things are improving or worsening.
- Sleep as much as the body asks for; this is not laziness, it is the body doing its healing work.
- Return to normal activity gradually only after being fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine.
Through the course of illness, typically 5-7 days · Continuous
Caution: The flu can be serious or even fatal for the very young, the elderly, and people with heart, lung, or immune conditions — these groups should have a lower threshold for calling a doctor. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers with flu-like illness because of the risk of Reye syndrome; use acetaminophen instead if a fever reducer is needed, per package directions or a doctor's advice.
When to get help: Seek emergency care for difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, or symptoms that improve then suddenly return worse.
Source: Standard supportive care guidance
Comments & experiences ▾
The foundation of flu recovery, supportive care, not a cure.
How to do it ▾
Why it works: The body fights influenza best when its energy is not spent elsewhere; rest and abundant fluids replace what fever burns off and keep secretions thin so the body can clear the virus.
- Stop and rest fully, clear your schedule and stay in bed if you can.
- Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluid a day: water, herbal tea, broth, and juice.
- Sip warm fluids to soothe the throat and loosen mucus.
- Eat light, nourishing food as appetite allows.
- Keep resting until the fever and deep tiredness pass.
Several days · Throughout illness
Caution: The flu can be serious for the very young, elderly, pregnant, or chronically ill, who should seek care early. Do not give aspirin to children or teens with a viral illness.
When to get help: Trouble breathing, chest pain, blue lips, confusion, a very high or persistent fever, or dehydration needs urgent medical care.
Source: Natural Remedies Encyclopedia 7th ed
Comments & experiences ▾
Also helps — ranked by the community (vote to reorder)
Eases the congestion and chills of the flu.
How to do it ▾
Why it works: Warm, moist air loosens a stuffy head and chest, and keeping warm supports the body's fever response, which is part of how it fights the virus.
- Breathe warm steam from a bowl (towel over the head) or a hot shower for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Keep warm and let a mild fever do its work under the covers.
- Lay a cool cloth on the forehead if you feel too hot.
- Repeat the steam a few times a day for congestion.
5 to 10 minutes per session · 2 to 3 times a day
Caution: Keep a safe distance from steam to avoid burns; supervise children. A very high fever, or fever with stiff neck or confusion, needs medical care.
When to get help: Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or confusion needs urgent care.
Source: Natural Remedies Encyclopedia 7th ed
Comments & experiences ▾
Keeps the flu from spreading while you recover.
How to do it ▾
Why it works: Influenza spreads through coughs, sneezes, and touch; staying home and washing hands protects others and lets you rest, which speeds your own recovery.
- Stay home while feverish and for about a day after the fever ends.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
- Wash hands often, especially after coughing or blowing the nose.
- Avoid close contact with the elderly, infants, and the unwell.
- Rest, which both protects others and helps you heal.
Throughout the contagious period · Daily
Caution: High-risk contacts who develop symptoms should seek care early, as antiviral medicine works best early.
When to get help: Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, chest pain, or confusion.
Source: Natural Remedies Encyclopedia 7th ed
Comments & experiences ▾
Soothes the sore throat and cough of the flu.
How to do it ▾
Why it works: A little honey coats and soothes an irritated throat and can quiet a cough, while warm fluid loosens mucus, gentle comfort while the body recovers.
- Warm a cup of water or mild herbal tea.
- Stir in a teaspoon of honey and a squeeze of lemon.
- Sip slowly to soothe the throat and ease coughing.
- Repeat a few times a day, especially before rest.
As needed · Several times daily
Caution: Never give honey to a child under one year of age. This soothes symptoms only; it does not shorten the illness.
When to get help: A cough with breathing trouble or chest pain needs prompt care.
Source: Natural Remedies Encyclopedia 7th ed
Comments & experiences ▾
A comforting supportive measure alongside rest and medical care, not a treatment for the flu virus itself.
How to do it ▾
Why it works: Warm liquids can ease throat discomfort and congestion, and the ritual of sipping something warm and comforting can help with the exhaustion and body aches common in flu.
- Slice a 1-2 inch piece of fresh ginger root and simmer it in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes, or steep a ginger tea bag in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
- Add a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of honey if desired (honey only for those age 1 and older).
- Sip slowly while resting in bed.
- Drink 1 cup every few hours as part of your overall fluid intake for the day.
- Pair with rest and other fluids; this tea is a comfort measure, not a cure.
5-10 minutes to prepare · Every 2-3 hours as desired
Caution: Never give honey to a child under age 1 due to the risk of infant botulism. Large amounts of ginger can interact with blood-thinning medications — check with a doctor or pharmacist if you take these.
When to get help: Seek medical care for difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, or a fever that will not respond to usual measures.
Source: Traditional herbal home remedies
Comments & experiences ▾
A supportive comfort and hygiene measure alongside rest and medical care, especially important to protect vulnerable family members.
How to do it ▾
Why it works: Moist air helps loosen thick nasal and chest congestion so it clears more easily, and consistent handwashing plus keeping distance from others reduces how much virus spreads through droplets and touched surfaces.
- Run a humidifier in the room where you rest, or lean over a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head for 5-10 minutes for congestion relief.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or blowing your nose.
- Stay in a separate room from others in the household as much as practical, and avoid sharing cups, utensils, or towels.
- Continue this until you have been fever-free for 24 hours without medicine, and keep taking extra hygiene precautions for a few more days after returning to normal activities.
Ongoing through the illness · Continuous; steam sessions a few times daily
Caution: Keep humidifiers clean to prevent mold or bacteria growth in the water reservoir. Never leave a bowl of hot water unattended around young children due to burn risk.
When to get help: Seek medical care for difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, or symptoms that suddenly worsen after initially improving.
Source: Standard supportive care and infection control guidance
Comments & experiences ▾
How the numbers work: a weighted voting system — trusted published sources cast endorsement votes for each protocol, and your ▲/▼ adds to them. Not medical advice.
🩺 When to see a doctor
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain or pressure
- Fever that climbs very high or won't come down
- Confusion, fainting, or severe weakness
- Symptoms that improve and then suddenly return worse
- Any flu in a very young child, older adult, or someone with a serious health condition
🌿 The seven pathways to health
Seven pathways for your influenza (flu) — tap the circle to check one off (saved on your device), or ask Remy for help.
“Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health... In case of sickness 1cause should be ascertained, 2go to work intelligently to remove the disease. 3Unhealthful conditions should be changed, 4wrong habits corrected. 5Then nature is to be assisted in her effort 6to expel impurities and 7to re-establish right conditions in the system.”
🌿 Overview
The flu is caused by a virus, so antibiotics don't help. The aim is to rest deeply, stay hydrated and warm, and let the body heal — while watching for the warning signs that mean it's time to call a doctor.
The flu is a viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. It is a cousin of the common cold, but it usually hits harder and faster — one hour you feel fine, and a few hours later you ache all over, run a fever, and want only to lie down. The virus spreads in tiny droplets when sick people cough, sneeze, or talk, and on hands that touch shared surfaces and then the face. Like a cold, the flu is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not help it. Most healthy people get better on their own in about one to two weeks with rest and fluids, though the tiredness can linger longer. The body does the real healing; our job is to rest deeply, drink plenty, stay warm, and keep the virus from spreading to others. The flu deserves respect because it can turn serious — especially for the very young, older adults, pregnant women, and anyone with a long-term illness. Watching for warning signs and resting fully from the start are the wisest things you can do.
Common signs
- Sudden fever and chills
- Body aches and headache
- Deep tiredness and weakness
- Dry cough and sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Sometimes nausea (more often in children)
🍃 Supporting foods & habits
The gentle, everyday foods and supports that help in the background — secondary to the active remedies above. Vote on what helped you.
Drink fluids steadily to replace what fever burns off and to loosen congestion.1000
Rest completely and stay home — your body needs all its energy to fight the flu.970
Warm lemon water and vitamin-C foods comfort and support you through the illness.920
The fragrant cream-colored blossom of the elder, brewed as tea, traditionally used for colds, fevers, and clearing the sinuses.820
How the numbers work: this is a weighted voting system — every published book or article recommending a remedy counts as an endorsement vote, and your ▲/▼ counts too. Not medical advice. *Ties are broken by our editor score (sources, safety, simplicity, cost, lifestyle fit, eight-laws alignment).
🍽️ Eating to help
Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.
Favor these
- Warm vegetable broths and simple soups
- Vitamin-C-rich fruits and vegetables (citrus, berries, peppers, greens)
- Garlic, onion, and ginger cooked into food
- Plenty of water and warm herbal teas
Go easy on
- Heavy, greasy, or fried foods that sit hard on the stomach
- Added sugar and sugary drinks
- Alcohol, which dries you out while your body needs fluids
Eat lightly and only as much as you want; gentle, warm, plant-based food is kindest while you recover.
⚖️ Good to know
- The flu can be serious for babies, older adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic illness.
- Antibiotics do not work on the flu virus.
- Honey is not for babies under 1 year.
- Rest fully even after the fever breaks — pushing too soon can drag out recovery.
⚕️ What a doctor may offerConventional treatments for this condition — for your information.Show ▾
RemedyRank's heart is natural healing — and honest information. Here is what conventional medical care commonly involves for this condition, listed to inform, never to promote. Decisions about treatment belong with you and your own physician.
Most flu is managed with supportive care; antivirals help if started early or for high-risk people, and the vaccine prevents it.
Commonly offered
- Rest, fluids, and fever/pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)–
- Antiviral medication (oseltamivir) within 48 hours, especially for high-risk patients–
- Annual flu vaccination for prevention–
- Watching for complications such as pneumonia–
Worth knowing
- Don't give aspirin to children/teens with flu (Reye's syndrome).
- Trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or sudden worsening needs urgent care.
- Antibiotics don't treat the flu — only a secondary bacterial infection.
👍/👎 shares whether a treatment helped you — community experience, not medical advice. For full professional details, see the sources under “Learn more” below.
📜 A note from history
Rest, warmth, generous fluids, and warm fomentations to the chest have long been the heart of natural flu care.
📚 Learn more
Sources for further reading. These open in a new tab.
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