Foods that fight colds and flu

Our diet can help to build the body's resistance against colds and the flu.
Here is a list of some important foods and herbs that help fight against the cold.

1. Citrus fruits - Lemons and oranges are excellent sources of Vitamin C. Take lemon juice with hot water in the morning.

2. Spices - Garlic, ginger, onions, black pepper, chilli peppers, cinnamon and turmeric are antioxidative and help clear congestion. Add them in broths, soups or teas

3. Honey - Excellent for helping to clear phlegm and soothing the throat.

4. Berries, nuts and seeds - These contain vitamin c, zinc and selenium and build immunity

5. Hot teas - Green tea and teas containing lemon juice, rosehips, ginger and peppermint help in decongestion and also help to prevent colds since germs are washed down into the digestive tract where they cannot survive

6. Soups - Tomato soup, chicken soup, vegetable broths provide nourishment, vitamin c and help to reduce inflammation. Cysteine, an amino acid found in cooked chicken works similarly to acetylcysteine, a bronchitis drug.

7. Herbs - Malabar nut / Vasaka, Amalaki, Holy Basil / Tulsi , Turmeric ,
and time tested formulations like
Septilin and Chyawanprash. These herbs and herbal formulations help to prevent and fight infections of the respiratory tract.

More information on building immunity with herbs.