Some flu syrups, such as onion and garlic syrup, or ginger syrup with lemon, honey and propolis, have substances with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and expectorant action, which help relieve symptoms from the flu, in addition to strengthening the immune system, accelerating recovery.
To be more effective, these homemade syrups must be prepared with honey, which helps to make the phlegm more liquid, relieve coughs and lubricate the throat, in addition to helping to preserve the syrups. However, honey should not be used by children under 2 years of age, or by people who have diabetes or are allergic to honey, pollen or propolis. Also, pregnant women should only use the syrups if recommended by their doctor. Here's how to relieve flu symptoms in pregnancy.
Homemade syrups are a good natural option for the flu, and while they are not a substitute for medical treatment, they can be used to relieve flu symptoms more quickly and speed up your recovery. Know how to identify all the symptoms of the flu.
Some options for homemade flu syrups are:
1. Onion and Garlic Syrup
Onion and garlic syrup has expectorant and antiseptic properties that, in addition to helping to loosen phlegm, strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation of the airways, helping to relieve flu symptoms such as coughing or stuffy nose.
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion grated;
- 1 crushed garlic clove;
- Honey.
Preparation mode
Place the onion and garlic in a glass container and add enough honey to cover the onion and garlic. Mix the ingredients and store in the fridge overnight.
For children over 2 years old, 2.5 mL of syrup, which is equivalent to about half a teaspoon of syrup, can be given up to 3 times a day. For adults, you can take 5 mL or 1 teaspoon of the syrup, up to 3 times a day.
Onion and garlic syrup should be stored in a clean, dry glass container in the refrigerator. Discard any unused amount of this syrup after 1 week. Check out other ways to use garlic to fight the flu.
2. Thyme, Liquorice and Star Anise Syrup
The syrup of thyme, licorice root and star anise seeds is rich in substances such as carvacrol, γ-terpinene, glycyrrhizin and phenolic compounds, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and expectorant action, which help to strengthen the immune system, release phlegm and relax the airways, relieving flu symptoms such as malaise, cough, body pain and stuffy nose.
In addition, star anise has antiviral activity due to shikimic acid, a natural substance that is used to fight the flu virus. See other benefits of star anise.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of star anise seeds;
- 1 tablespoon of dried licorice root;
- 1 tablespoon of American cherry bark;
- 1 tablespoon of dried thyme;
- 500 mL of filtered water;
- 250 mL of honey.
Preparation mode
Boil the star anise seeds, licorice root and American cherry bark in water, in a covered pot, for 15 minutes. Then, turn off the heat, add the thyme, cover and leave to infuse until cool. Strain, add the honey and heat a little to dissolve the honey. You can take 1 teaspoon up to 3 times a day to relieve coughing and reduce throat irritation.
This syrup should be kept in a glass bottle in the refrigerator for three months.
3. Elderberry and Peppermint Syrup
Elderberry and peppermint syrup has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, due to the presence of menthol, flavonoids, triterpenes and phenolic acids, which help to improve the symptoms of cough with phlegm, runny nose or clogged and headache, common in cases of flu or colds.
In addition, this syrup has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, which help the body fight the cold and recover faster.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried peppermint;
- 1 teaspoon dried elderberry flowers;
- 500 mL of water;
- 250 mL of honey.
Preparation mode
Add the peppermint, elderberry and water in a bowl and boil for 15 minutes. Then turn off the heat, strain and add the honey until completely dissolved. You can take 1 teaspoon of the syrup up to 3 times a day to relieve coughing and sore throats.
This syrup should be kept in a glass bottle in the refrigerator for up to three months. After this period, discard any unused amount.
4. Ginger Syrup with Lemon, Honey and Propolis
Ginger syrup with lemon, honey and propolis is an excellent home remedy for colds, flu or sore throat, as it contains substances such as gingerol and vitamin C, with potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic action., antipyretic and expectorant.
In addition, this syrup has antioxidant action that reduces cell damage and helps improve the functioning of the immune system, increasing immunity and improving the body's response to infections.
Ingredients
- 25 g sliced peeled fresh ginger or 1 tablespoon ground ginger;
- 1 cup of honey;
- 3 tablespoons of water;
- 3 tablespoons of lemon juice;
- 5 drops of propolis extract.
Preparation mode
Boil the water and, after boiling, add the ginger. Cover, let stand for 10 minutes, add honey, lemon juice and propolis, and mix until obtaining a homogeneous mixture with a viscous consistency equal to syrup.
Take 1 tablespoon, 3 times a day, until the flu symptoms disappear. Children over 2 years old can take 1 teaspoon of ginger syrup, up to 3 times a day.
This syrup should not be used by people with clotting problems or who are using anticoagulant medication, as it can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. In addition, the use of this syrup should be avoided by pregnant women without medical advice.
5. Beetroot syrup with honey
Beetroot syrup with honey can be used to help treat colds, flu and cough, due to its anti-inflammatory properties of the respiratory tract and to help improve the immune system. In addition, honey also helps to lubricate the throat and reduce inflammation, relieving cough.
Ingredients
- 1 raw beetroot;
- 2 tablespoons of honey.
Preparation mode
Wash and cut the beets into thin slices and place in a clean, dry glass container. Add the honey, mix and let it rest for 24 hours. After that time, collect the liquid part that formed, which is the syrup, and transfer it to another sterilized glass container and cover.
You can take 1 tablespoon, up to 3 times a day, until the symptoms disappear. Children over 2 years old can take 1 teaspoon of beet syrup up to 3 times a day. See other ways to prepare beet syrup.
6. Cinnamon Ginger Syrup
Ginger and cinnamon syrup has a drying effect on mucous membranes and is a natural expectorant, which helps fight coughing up phlegm caused by colds or flu.
Because it does not contain honey, this syrup can be used by people allergic to honey, propolis or pollen, but it should be used with caution by people who suffer from diabetes.
Ingredients
- 1 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon;
- 1 cup sliced peeled ginger root;
- 85 g brown, demerara or coconut sugar;
- 100 mL of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the water with the sugar, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Turn off the heat, add the ginger and cinnamon, and stir. Store the syrup in a clean, dry glass bottle. Take 1 teaspoon of ginger syrup, up to 3 times a day.
This syrup should not be used by people using anticoagulant medication or who have clotting problems or as it may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
In addition, the use of this syrup should be avoided by pregnant women if they are close to childbirth or in women with a history of miscarriage, clotting problems or who are at risk of bleeding.
7. Guaco and mallow syrup
Guaco and mallow syrup has a calming effect on the bronchi, reducing the production of phlegm, in addition to making secretions more liquid, making it easier to remove phlegm trapped in the throat and lungs, relieving cough caused by colds or flu.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of dried mallow flowers or leaves;
- 1 tablespoon of fresh guaco leaves;
- 1 cup of boiling water;
- 1 tablespoon of honey.
Preparation mode
Place the mallow and the guaco in the cup of boiling water. Cover for about 10 minutes and add the honey. It is recommended for adults to take 1 cup of the syrup, up to 3 times a day. See also other recipes with guaco to relieve a cough.
8. Echinacea Syrup
Echinacea syrup is rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating substances, such as flavonoids, chicory and rosmarinic acids, which help to strengthen the immune system, shortening the duration of flu and colds, which helps to relieve coughing up phlegm.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of echinacea root or leaves;
- 1 cup of boiling water;
- 1 tablespoon of honey.
Preparation mode
Place 1 teaspoon of echinacea root or leaves in a cup of boiling water. Let stand for 15 minutes, strain, add honey and drink up to 2 times a day.
Echinacea syrup should not be used by children, pregnant or nursing women, or by people with asthma, tuberculosis, or autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriasis.
9. Eucalyptus and propolis syrup
Eucalyptus and propolis syrup has an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, mucolytic and expectorant action, which help fight the flu and relieve symptoms of cough, sore throat or stuffy nose.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of chopped eucalyptus leaves;
- 1 cup of water;
- 5 drops of propolis extract.
Preparation mode
Add the chopped eucalyptus leaves to the water and boil for 1 minute. Turn off the heat, cover and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Then strain, add the propolis and drink 1 cup of the syrup 2 to 3 times a day.
This syrup should not be used by children under 3 years of age, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or by people who have digestive, gallbladder and liver disease, or are allergic to eucalyptus. See other ways to use eucalyptus to relieve the flu.
