Apart from the holiday season that is upon us (north of the border, that is), the flu season has also crept up with full force. With all this talk about the flu and H1N1 immunization, what really is the best thing to do?

I write this as I had to stay home from work because I’ve caught the seasonal flu. I’m resting lots, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking in plenty of vitamin C and other immune system strengthening pills. In the past, I’ve rarely ever got the seasonal flu shots and while this is by no means an excuse to not get it this season, I’m still at a crossroads as to if I’ll ever get it.

Fortunately for me, it seems like my flu symptoms have peaked in the first day. Although I have lingering aches and a persistent sore throat, my fever has subsided and I am able to do things more comfortably.

Here’s a tip on getting rid of that nasty sore throat feeling:
Take some fresh ginger, cut a small piece, about 1cm in width and about 4cm in diameter. Skin it, and grate it to a pulp. Taking small chunks of the grated ginger at a time, place it in your mouth at the entrance to the throat. Don’t swallow the ginger, but gently squeeze it using the top of your mouth so that the juices from the ginger trickle down your throat.

You’ll feel quite a bit of a tingly sensation as the ginger juices combat the bacteria in your throat. Keep doing this for the remainder of the ginger that you’ve grated. Doing this right before you go to sleep, you’ll likely be able to sleep a little more comfortably as your sore throat sensation may have subsided a little.

During the first day of my flu, I sensed my sore throat getting worse and worse by the hour. I knew if I didn’t do anything about this, then the next day would have been even worse. After gingering my throat the night before, I woke up still with a sore throat, but a much milder sore, which I was much more capable of handling throughout the day.

Try it. There’s no harm, and it’s only natural elements you’re using anyway.