The Virus H1N1 is also known as swine flu. This term (swine flu) refers to influenza in pigs. There are rare cases when pigs transfer the influenza virus to people, mainly to hog farmers and veterinaries. There are fewer often cases when someone who is infected with swine flu is passing this infection to others.
The spring of 2009 was the first time when the human respiratory infection caused by a particular influenza virus H1N1 strain which is popularly known as swine flu, was recognized. [1,2]
The influenza viruses infect the cells lining the throat, lungs, and nose. When you are inhaling contaminated droplets or transferring live viruses from the contaminated surface to your mouth, nose, or eyes, then this virus enters your body. When you are eating pork, then you cannot get this virus.
The swine flu can cause many signs and symptoms, such as cough, nausea and vomiting, fever, diarrhea, sore throat, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, headache, watery, red eyes, and body aches. [2,3]
The symptoms of H1N1 develop about 1 – 3 days after you have been exposed to this virus. There can be complications from the swine flu, such as respiratory failure; neurological signs and symptoms, ranging from confusion to seizures; worsening of chronic conditions, such as asthma and heart disease, and pneumonia. [3] Talk with your doctor if you have swine flu before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies for this condition.
22 H1N1 natural treatments
Contents
- 1 22 H1N1 natural treatments
- 1.1 Reduce exposure within your household
- 1.2 Carrots
- 1.3 Avoid contact
- 1.4 Exercise
- 1.5 Honey
- 1.6 Sleep well
- 1.7 Garlic
- 1.8 Elderberry
- 1.9 Ginseng
- 1.10 Olive leaf
- 1.11 Pineapple juice
- 1.12 Echinacea
- 1.13 Tulsi
- 1.14 Hydration
- 1.15 Stay home if you are sick
- 1.16 Sunshine
- 1.17 Cayenne pepper
- 1.18 Contain your coughs and sneezes
- 1.19 Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently
- 1.20 Indian gooseberry
- 1.21 Giloi
- 1.22 Aloe Vera
Reduce exposure within your household
If some member of your household has swine flu, then you should designate only one household member to be responsible for the personal care of the affected person. [2]
Carrots
This home remedy is rich in Vitamin A. This vitamin is crucial in our diet. Vitamin A leads to beta carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant that can effectively cleanse the body from free radicals and foreign agents. We know that free radicals are a reason why our immune system weakens, and it is allowing infections to take hold.
Avoid contact
You should avoid going in crowds if it is possible. [3] If you are having a high risk of complications from flu (such as you are pregnant, you are 65 or older or younger than 5, or you have a medical condition, such as asthma), then you should avoid swine barns at seasonal fairs and elsewhere.
Exercise
It is known that regular exercise is recommended for many different ailments. It is a known fact that this home remedy encourages blood purification and higher immune function. It releases stress hormones in a healthy way before they negatively impact your body.
Honey
This home remedy has antimicrobial properties, which make it a very effective immune booster. This is a great way to speed up the recovery process when you are ill. You should mix ginger with ginger or ginger root tea. This is a very effective antimicrobial home remedy. It is working very effectively as a natural treatment for swine flu. [5]
Sleep well
It is known that the adequate sleep is giving your body time to rest and recuperate from the exhaustion of waging an immune system battle. There are many people who may need some pure bed rest to fight off swine flu effectively. It is known that this natural treatment will let your body focus on defending itself and recovering rather than expending energy to other activities.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most versatile and effective home remedies for dozens of different health conditions, and also it can be used as a natural treatment for swine flu. We know that allicin is the active component in garlic which interacts in quite an unusual way with our body, stimulating antioxidant activity, and it is seeking foreign microbes, which are included those who cause swine flu. [6]
Elderberry
This home remedy has laxative and diuretic properties which have the ability to induce sweating in people who take it. Elderberry tea and supplements are often used as a home remedy for the swine flu. When you are flushing out through the excretory system and the skin, then your immune system is getting better, and it can speed up the recovery process of the viral infection. [7]
Ginseng
In recent years, there have been studies that were following the latest H1N1 outbreaks related to the effects of ginseng on these viral strains. The results of this study were encouraging. They are supporting the use of ginseng tea and ginseng supplements for many strains of influenza. [8]
Olive leaf
This home remedy has flavonoids and polyphenols. When you are taking a supplement of this herb, then you are defending yourself against many symptoms of swine flu, such as general weakness, headache, cough, fever, chills, and nausea.
Pineapple juice
It is known fact that pineapple juice has many health benefits which are due to its antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Pineapple juice can kick-start the immune system because it is high in Vitamin C and it can increase the white blood cell production.
Echinacea
It is a known fact that Echinacea is used as a temporary immune system booster. This home remedy has powerful organic compounds and volatile oils, which should not be relied on for long periods of time when you feel that you are getting ill. This can be one of the best home remedies to boost the immune system for its battle with the swine flu. [9]
Tulsi
It is known as Basil in English. The medicinal name is Ocimum sanctum. You should have 5 duly washed leaves of Tulsi every day in the morning. This home remedy has many therapeutic properties. It will keep your throat and lungs clear, and it can help with infections by way of strengthening your immunity. [6]
Hydration
Whenever you feel sick with flu, you need to stay hydrated, especially if you are losing water through sweat, diarrhea, vomiting, and normal urination. You need to drink more water than usual to help your body to flush out the body toxins and replenish the lost water in your body.
Stay home if you are sick
If you suffer from swine flu, then you can give it to others. You should stay at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone. [3]
Sunshine
Vitamin D should be part of every healing regimen. This vitamin is what our body generates from the sunshine on our skin. This natural cure can help to maintain the function of many organ systems, boost the immune system and strengthen bones.
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper has capsaicin which for long periods has been praised for its cure-all abilities. It has antiviral and antimicrobial properties, which is a reason why cayenne pepper is used as a home remedy for swine flu. Even if you do not like the heat from the cayenne pepper, you can try to consume it at least once because it will protect you from the swine flu. [10]
Contain your coughs and sneezes
You need to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough. You should cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inner crook of your elbow because, in this way, you will avoid contaminating your hands. [3,4]
Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently
You should use soap and water to wash your hands. If they are unavailable, then you should use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. [3,4]
Indian gooseberry
This home remedy is packed with Vitamin C. It can help to raise the body’s resistance to infections. You can eat fresh Amla, or you can drink Indian gooseberry juice because it can protect your body from any type of flu; swine flu is also included. [6]
Giloi
The medicinal name of Giloi is Tinospora cordifolia. This is a commonly available plant in many areas. [6] You should take a one – foot long branch of giloi, add 5 – 6 leaves of Tulsi and boil these ingredients in water for fifteen to twenty minutes or a period that is long enough to allow the water to extract its properties.
You should add black pepper and sendha (this is a salt that is used during religious fasts), black or rock salt, or Misri (this is a crystallized sugar like lumps to make it sweet) according to your taste.
You should let it cool a bit and then drink this concoction while still warm. It can do many wonders for your immune system. If the giloi plant is not available in the nearest markets, then you can get processed giloi powder, and you should concoct a similar drink once a day.
Aloe Vera
This home remedy is considered a good immunity booster. You should take one teaspoon of Aloe Vera juice/gel with lukewarm water once a day because it can help you to fight against infections. Also, you can get relief from the symptoms of swine flu, like joint pain. You can continue using this natural cure until you get relief from the virus H1N1.
References:
[1] Capua I, Mercalli A, Romero-Tejeda A, et al. Study of 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus as a possible causative agent of diabetes. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2018;103(12):4343-56.
[2] Jilani TN, Siddiqui AH. H1N1 influenza (Swine flu). StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. 2019.
[3] Dotis J, Roilides E. H1N1 Influenza A infection. Hippokratia. 2009;13(3):135-138.
[4] Shilpa K, Praveen Kumar BA, Yogesh Kumar S, et al. A study on awareness regarding swine flu (influenza A H1N1) pandemic in an urban community of Karnataka. Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth. 2014;7(6):732-737.
[5] Samarghandian S, Farkhondeh T, Samini F. Honey and health: A review of recent clinical research. Pharmacognosy Research. 2017;9(2):121-127.
[6] Arora R, Chawla R, Marwah R, et al. Potential of complementary and alternative medicine in preventive management of novel H1N1 flu (swine flu) pandemic: Thwarting potential disasters in the bud. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011:16 pages.
[7] Charlebois D. Elderberry as a medicinal plant. Botanicals and Medicinals. 2007;284-292.
[8] Yoo D-G, Kim M-C, Park M-K, et al. Protective effect of korean red ginseng extract on the infections by H1N1 and H3N2 influenza viruses in mice. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2012;15(10):855-862.
[9] Mousa HA-L. Prevention and treatment of influenza, influenza-like illness, and common cold by herbal, complementary, and natural therapies. Journal of Evidence-based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2017;22(1):166-174.
[10] McCarty MF, DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH. Capsaicin may have important potential for promoting vascular and metabolic health. Open Heart. 2015;2(1):e000262.
