5 most popular raw ingredients to reduce flu/Covid 19 symptoms

At this time when we all are a little stressed by Covid 19 and therefore we are very interested in strengthening our immune system to cope not only with this 'new' virus but with all the other viruses as the flu, it is important to have in mind that we all have to create good habits in order to lead a healthy lifestyle. Even if applying the vaccine against influenza and/or Covid 19 is crucial, looking for natural and homemade ways that you can adopt as habits to help your immune system to stay strong and ready to fight any virus is also very important.  Having a good lifestyle means staying active, reducing stress, sleeping well, eating nutritious meals and helping our body to function properly by consuming supplements made from natural ingredients. Make sure to read this article to learn about the 5 best known ingredients for their properties to promote the proper functioning of your immune system.

Even if it won’t prevent you from contracting any virus, truth is that diet and nutrition can help you support your immune health either if you have the virus or you are recovering from it. The best to do is to consume foods with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. You do not like the taste of some of those ingredients? Do not worry, you can put them in an empty gelatin or vegetarian capsule and avoid that awful taste. You are also looking for creating you own capsule supplements? You can check out our article to learn about the most important reasons why producing your own capsules is a good idea here.

Here are some of the most efficient ingredients to prevent or reduce flu/ Covid 19 symptoms

1. Garlic

Based on traditional use and some laboratory evidence, is popularly believed that garlic could be useful for the common cold thanks to its antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Garlic contains compounds capable of killing a wide variety of microorganisms and a research found by Cochrane, a global research organization, shows that those who took garlic daily for three months had fewer colds than those who took a placebo. Also, thanks to its rich content in vitamin C and B6, garlic is a powerful ally for the immune system. However, many people avoid eating it because of its bad taste and after taste. Yet, taking garlic in its raw natural state is more effective than cooking it. That is why you need to keep in mind the alternative of producing your owns capsules with this natural ingredient in order to avoid any nasty taste.

2. Onions

In general, onions are attributed with antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that could be beneficial for soothing coughs, congestion and other symptoms caused by the presence of viruses and bacteria in the body.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is considered one of the most beneficial roots in nature. It is rich in antioxidants and curcumin that increase the body’s immunity and kick out the disease, along with various other advantages like improving brain and heart function. Also, the curcumin present in turmeric helps in reducing down the inflammations in the cells, which is why many people use this as a herb for the treatment of joint pain, osteoporosis among others. There are two ways that turmeric is consumed; fresh and powdered. The powdered form is more widely used because of its easier availability. The powdered form of the root is still full of medicinal values and easy to put in an empty capsule. Consuming turmeric daily can help then in strengthening the body's immunity and further cures flu-like symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion. This golden wonder could be your best friend!

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of those ingredients that are a must in every home. It is a favorite for baking recipes and other preparations that we consume daily such as coffees, infusions or smoothies. This ingredient gives a special and distinctive flavor to any preparation. However, not many know about all its benefits. We should all be fans of it because in addition to its delicious flavor, it has multiple properties that help promote good blood circulation, is highly recommended as a home remedy to fight against sinusitis, stimulates appetite, provides an invigorating effect, is antispasmodic, antiseptic and antiviral. For this last reason it is especially important at this time of the year, when temperature changes tend to favor the appearance of colds. The frequent intake of this spice can bring great benefits to the body. 

5. Echinacea

Even if more research is needed, echinacea could aid in preventing and treating the common cold due to its many medical properties. Some of the active substances in echinacea are considered potent antioxidants and others are known for their defense-enhancing effect as they help stimulate the formation of white blood cells. Echinacea is, therefore, considered an important ingredient to combat ailments such as respiratory infections, being used for such common and recurrent conditions as colds and flu.

There are no natural ingredient that cure by themselves any disease but there are some that can boost our immune system and help us overcome some of the annoying symptoms brought on by viruses. It is important to keep in mind that although these natural ingredients are beneficial for strengthening the immune system, they do not replace medical treatment. Of course, we must be attentive to any complication, as medical intervention may be necessary. 

Disclaimer: we recommend talking with your health care provider to ensure that you are not intolerant or allergic to any of the ingredients mentioned above and to evaluate the ideal dosage you would need of each of them in case you want to take them as a preventive measure.