Busted: "Home Remedies" For Swine Flu

You don't have to surf the web too long before you'll stumble across a home remedy for swine flu. Everything from onions and garlic to peroxide and bubbly concoctions. Dr. Steve is here to clear the air on these co-called remedies.

Can onions and garlic protect us from swine flu?
Dr. Steve says: Great to eat, but not a medicine. It won't do anything for you.

Can peroxide protect us from swine flu?
Dr. Steve says: Peroxide is a great medicine. It can definitely kill germs.. But putting it in your ears won't do anything to prevent catching a cold.. The flu.. Even swine flu. So im going to call this remedy bad medicine. It does help bust up the wax though.

Can hot tea with lemon or honey (or even cayenne pepper or vinegar) protect us from swine flu?
Dr. Steve says: Hot liquids always make you feel great. The liquids help thin mucous. The warming feeling just makes you relax. Cayenne makes you feel warm all over. For some people it may make the nose and sinuses feel clearer. Honey has been considered a medicinal food for centuries. It can even make your throat feel better if it's sore. But it's not going to do anything to prevent or cure the flu. It just makes you feel good. The same way you felt good when your mother put a cool towel on your forehead when you have a fever.

Can chicken soup protect us from swine flu?
Dr. Steve says: The theory is that there's an amino acid in chicken called cysteine that may help clear mucous. And there was an actual medical study that showed the ingredients in traditional chicken soup inhibit inflammation. It's good medicine but not a cure for swine flu.

For information on swine flu and how to obtain a vaccine, visit nyc.gov/flu.

Have a question? E-mail Dr. Steve at askthedoctor@tribune.com.