Cold Remedies

[sun_set_bravely]

I've got a cold. The back of my nasal sinuses feel heavy and my throat is sore. So far, I'm treating it with decaffeinated tea, lots of water, soup, Alka-Seltzer Orange Zest cold stuff, and Ricola lozenges.

I'm wondering what everyone else does when they get sick. Anyone want to share their favorite cold remedies with me?

Comments

[nickelchief.livejournal.com]

You listed most of mine already: tea, soup, sleep.

I pop Vitamin C like a madman. There are conflicting reports as to whether or not it does you any good, but psychologically it makes me feel like I'm doing something.

Also, hot showers.

If you can find some fresh sage leaves, steep six or seven of them in hot water for five minutes or so, then stir in a teaspoon or so of lemon juice and A Taste of Honey. Aaaaah. It's really something.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm taking two Vitamin C every morning, and I do it for the same reason you list. You'd think that the FDA could confidently say what Vitamin C does for your health by now, but I suppose they're awfully busy with other things.

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

What he said. Also C + zinc lozenges work well (though mind the citrus warnings, while you're sucking down Vitamin C-packed orange juice).

Please, let's not forget the hot whiskey:

whiskey
hot water to taste
a slice of lemon studded with cloves
honey (you can use sugar, but honey's more medicinal)

Stir. Sip. When I'm sick as you are, this stuff makes me feel woozy and congested and start sweating. I drink a lot of water, go to bed, and feel much much better in the morning. It's a naturally antibacterial and antiseptic drink!

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

Whiskey, eh? Intriguing... Does this apply for people who rarely drink, and who can't hold their liquor well?

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. Well, I don't drink often, and I'm pretty much a lightweight - mixed drinks intimidate me. So if you're similar, ahot whiskey might make you a little loopy. I recommend keeping a smaller bottle on hand, for medicinal purposes of course, and varying the whiskey in your hot whiskey to taste. Having it in a clear glass will improve your aesthetics. Add as much honey as you need. And sip!

You'll know when you've had enough. For me there's so much comfort in the whole experience I don't really care if I finish it.

On another note Robutussin HoneyFlu is divine if you're really suffering a lot. You stir it into your herbal tea and drink up. Oh, lovely! Relief!

Hope you feel better soon! It's snowing heavily here, a fine day to be indoors.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I sleep every weekend when I have a cold. If my symptoms permit, I take no medicine. If not, I go to work during weekdays, using something like Contact to keep me going.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

Usually, I'm very anti-medicine, because I have this theory that a cold left untreated will go away in about ten days, and a cold treated will go away in about the same time anyway. But the times that I've tried that, I find that the cold sticks to my lungs and sometimes turns into a lingering infection of some kind. Maybe I'm not paying close enough attention to my symptoms, as you suggest.

What is Contact?

[freak1c.livejournal.com]

well, you're on my med of choice, alka-seltzer. But there's also my C-intake of choice which is "Straweberry C Monster" from Odwalla, or whatever the Samantha's Squeezin's equivelant is out here.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

Good call. I need to grab some orange juice or other liquid fortification-type thing on the way home today. It's so snowy outside! It feels less cold somehow when it snows.

take care....

[blushblush.livejournal.com]

Hey Jennifer-

Sorry you got a cold, I know how bad that feels :(

For me, I drink a lot of tea, sleep a lot...and one traditional way the Chinese deal with it is make ginger soup (just boil some hot water in the pot, add in some brown suger and ginger slices)...drink it when it's hot and then go to sleep. The next day, you'll feel much better.

Keep well. You're right, it's less cold when it snows.