Cold and flu are never exciting experiences and if you are expecting your child, it can turn into more dangerous cases. When pregnant, your immune system operates at a much lower resistance than usual. A weakened immune system prevents the body from rejecting your unborn child which is now still a foreign substance to the body.
The downside of it is that you are more susceptible to getting colds and flu, and you can no longer turn to over-the-counter medications to treat them because these medicines can have negative effect on your unborn baby.
It is recommended as far as possible to fight off colds and flu during pregnancy by using natural remedies which reduce the symptoms yet do not harm to your own health or your baby’s safety. Here are some natural home remedies for flu and colds during pregnancy you should know.
1 Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar alkalizes the body and helps kill viruses. An alkalized environment is hostile to most bacteria and viruses.
So during pregnancy, if you see first symptoms of cold and flu, make a mixture of 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a glass of warm water, gargle and then drink. It is perfectly safe to repeat hourly until all the symptoms disappear.
2 Garlic
Garlic is a superstar when it comes to combating colds and flu. It is a powerhouse of antiviral, antibacterial and antiseptic properties that are of great help in killing the harmful bacteria and viruses.
Many studies also pointed out that allicin – a compound found in whole garlic helped promote blood circulation, lowered the blood pressure and cholesterol levels in pregnant women.
However, a doctor should be consulted on dosages, especially when you take garlic supplement.
3 Coconut oil
Coconut oil gains its popularity by its antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. High concentrations of acid lauric in coconut oil is thought to destroy the lipid coating around viruses and make it easier for the immune system to get rid of.
It is safe for pregnant women to use coconut oil, both topically and internally. You can use it as cooking oil, or choose to out a few spoons of coconut oil in a hot beverage.
4 Salt water
No matter how simple this remedy sounds, it secures a spot in this list thanks to its ability to create an unfavorable environment which bacteria and viruses cannot develop in. And it’s perfectly safe to pregnant women. The saline solution can reduce the severity of typical symptoms like sore throat and coughing.
You can choose to gargle your mouth with warm salt water several times a day. If you have a runny nose, use a dropper to drop salt water into two nostrils. It will thin the mucous and remove irritants effectively.
5 Chicken soup
More than a feel-good soup, a bowl of chicken with several nutritious ingredients can help mommy-to-be get well faster. Easy to digest, rich in nutrients, vitamins and anti-inflammatory properties, this dish provides hydration and eases the symptoms of cold and flu very effectively.
It is advised to include cayenne powder, garlic, ginger, onion, thyme, and mushroom in the dish. All of these ingredients are good cold and flu fighters.
6 Ginger
Ginger is one time-tested remedy for colds and flu during pregnancy. As ginger is so good at warming the body, it is believed to clear up toxins in your body, improve blood circulation and efficiently get rid of harmful bacteria and viruses caused illness for mom and the unborn baby.
You can make a glass of fresh ginger tea and add a tablespoon of honey and some fresh lemon to fight off the illness.
A bonus is that ginger also helps to relieve heartburn during pregnancy too which you may be suffering from..
Drinking a ginger, lemon and honey tea while you are pregnant or breastfeeding is a great natural alternative to medications such as Med-Lemon which have aspirin in and are therefore not safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding!
The downside of it is that you are more susceptible to getting colds and flu, and you can no longer turn to over-the-counter medications to treat them because these medicines can have negative effect on your unborn baby.
It is recommended as far as possible to fight off colds and flu during pregnancy by using natural remedies which reduce the symptoms yet do not harm to your own health or your baby’s safety. Here are some natural home remedies for flu and colds during pregnancy you should know.
1 Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar alkalizes the body and helps kill viruses. An alkalized environment is hostile to most bacteria and viruses.
So during pregnancy, if you see first symptoms of cold and flu, make a mixture of 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a glass of warm water, gargle and then drink. It is perfectly safe to repeat hourly until all the symptoms disappear.
2 Garlic
Garlic is a superstar when it comes to combating colds and flu. It is a powerhouse of antiviral, antibacterial and antiseptic properties that are of great help in killing the harmful bacteria and viruses.
Many studies also pointed out that allicin – a compound found in whole garlic helped promote blood circulation, lowered the blood pressure and cholesterol levels in pregnant women.
However, a doctor should be consulted on dosages, especially when you take garlic supplement.
3 Coconut oil
Coconut oil gains its popularity by its antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. High concentrations of acid lauric in coconut oil is thought to destroy the lipid coating around viruses and make it easier for the immune system to get rid of.
It is safe for pregnant women to use coconut oil, both topically and internally. You can use it as cooking oil, or choose to out a few spoons of coconut oil in a hot beverage.
4 Salt water
No matter how simple this remedy sounds, it secures a spot in this list thanks to its ability to create an unfavorable environment which bacteria and viruses cannot develop in. And it’s perfectly safe to pregnant women. The saline solution can reduce the severity of typical symptoms like sore throat and coughing.
You can choose to gargle your mouth with warm salt water several times a day. If you have a runny nose, use a dropper to drop salt water into two nostrils. It will thin the mucous and remove irritants effectively.
5 Chicken soup
More than a feel-good soup, a bowl of chicken with several nutritious ingredients can help mommy-to-be get well faster. Easy to digest, rich in nutrients, vitamins and anti-inflammatory properties, this dish provides hydration and eases the symptoms of cold and flu very effectively.
It is advised to include cayenne powder, garlic, ginger, onion, thyme, and mushroom in the dish. All of these ingredients are good cold and flu fighters.
6 Ginger
Ginger is one time-tested remedy for colds and flu during pregnancy. As ginger is so good at warming the body, it is believed to clear up toxins in your body, improve blood circulation and efficiently get rid of harmful bacteria and viruses caused illness for mom and the unborn baby.
You can make a glass of fresh ginger tea and add a tablespoon of honey and some fresh lemon to fight off the illness.
A bonus is that ginger also helps to relieve heartburn during pregnancy too which you may be suffering from..
Drinking a ginger, lemon and honey tea while you are pregnant or breastfeeding is a great natural alternative to medications such as Med-Lemon which have aspirin in and are therefore not safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding!
