Cold and flu season is right around the corner. It is important to strengthen the immune system and take measures to prevent you and your family from getting sick before the flu and cold viruses are most active. If you are already showing symptoms of an infection try some of these cold and flu relief ideas.

Eat Spicy!

Spicy foods will help you breathe easier when you are all stuffed up. Spicy foods are the best mucus-moving (mucokinetic) foods. If you don't have the appetite for a spicy dish you could put a half teaspoon of hot sauce into a small glass of water and down it fast enough to make a college kid jealous.

Natural Flu Prevention!

Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. and Dr. James North both have said they believe garlic has great benefits in fighting the cold and flu virus and in preventing it if taken early enough. "It is probably best to start taking raw garlic as soon as you start to get symptoms. Cut it in chunks and swallow whole like pills... I recommend one or two cloves a day" says Dr. Weil.

There are some natural supplements you and your family can take to help boost your immune system, ward off infection, and leave you feeling healthier. The more well-known recommended supplements are cod liver oil, zinc, and vitamin C. A supplement currently growing in popularity that has shown all of these benefits is Lauricidin. It's worth checking out for your whole family.

Onion it out!

From Michael Murray, author of Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (Prima Health, 1998) comes this recipe for an Onion based Cough Syrup: "Put six chopped white onions in a double boiler and add half a cup of honey. Cook slowly over low heat for two hours and strain. Take at regular intervals, preferably warm." Onions contain the same antibacterial properties as garlic does. If you're looking for an easier suggestion than the cough syrup try just eating a spanish onion before going to bed. Raw or roasted onion, whatever is your preference.

Honey Can Help Soothe!

"Raw, unpasteurized honey soothes sore throats and raspy voices," says D.C. Jarvis, M.D., and author of Folk Medicine (Ballantine Books, 1982). He suggests eating a spoonful or two as needed, or mixing it with fruit juice, herbal teas or pure water. Note: The Centre for Disease Control warns that children under one year of age should not ingest honey because their immune system may not be able to resist the botulism bacteria spores in honey.

Put Ginger In Your Corner!

Ginger is particularly valuable for flu-fighting, as it has been proven to attack and destroy influenza viruses. Try swallowing raw ginger, in the same manner as garlic, or making a strong ginger tea. To make ginger tea, grate about half a cup of fresh ginger root, place in a glass or ceramic container, cover with two cups of freshly boiled water and let steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Then add a dash of hot sauce, or the juice of one lemon, or two tablespoons of raw honey, depending on your preferred taste. Sip throughout the day.