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All the suggestions I gave you to manage a common cold will also work for those flu symptoms that are identical to common cold symptoms. Yet, there are some specific symptoms that people who have the flu suffer from that you will not have when you only caught a cold. They are diarrhea, vomiting, muscle and joint pains and a significant fever.

Research shows that hand washing does not come naturally to a lot of people. Perhaps that is reason enough not to include it here, in an article about natural remedies. Yet, washing your hands is the number one way to prevent the flu. If you are one of those dirty people who don't wash their hands all day, you should start now. The flu virus can survive on inorganic surfaces for up to two hours — everything you touch at work is suspect during flu season. Keyboards, printers, copiers, telephones? Wash your hands! People who work with kids should be even more careful about washing their hands, as they are much more likely to catch the flu.
Elder flowers and peppermint leaves are popular herbal remedies for a fever. If you have small kids with the flu, soaking socks in water and putting them on your child can reduce a fever. Some people say that you have to soak the socks in either vinegar or raw eggs, but water does the trick just fine. Place a wet cloth over their head too. I can't say that I am aware of any scientific evidence that wet socks are a reliable fever-reducer, but I have tried it on my kids and it works.
One hot drink many people with a the flu or a common cold enjoy is lemon, ginger and honey “tea”, all with fresh ingredients. Lemon has lots of vitamin C, ginger helps settle nausea down, and honey posesses anti-inflammatory properties.
Those people who find the flu is accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea should drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. If your diarrhea lasts longer than a few days, you should see your family doctor to discuss allopathic treatment options.
The flu does, unfortunately, have to run its natural course — you cannot cure it, and just have to “enjoy” the ride while it lasts. Using a tincture of nettle leaves a few times a day will certainly boost your immune system though, and some herbalists will say it can take a few days off your ordeal. Stinging nettles contain vitamins A, C, E and K as well as potassium, calcium, sulphur and iron. In other words, nettles are a great multivitamin supplement that you can use when you are not ill too!
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