good cold remedies anyone?

[MrsC]

any good cold remedies out there? have been really floored with it this week, very unlike me, have felt dreadful. don't normally resort to the over the counter painkillers etc but felt so bad i had to. someone told me i don't eat enough fresh garlic? is this true?

[Dobby]

cut up some lemons and boil them add lots of wisky works for me

[rustylady]

Agree with Dobby, a nice hot toddy (whisky, lemon juice, sugar and hot water) works well. Helps you sleep and while it may not kill the germs, it does make them happy so you feel better.

Failing that, Day Nurse and Night Nurse (tablets or liquid, available from chemist) seem to work well. Hope you feel better soon.

[shirlthegirl43]

Glad I am not alone! Took Madmax to the airport today and now I am feeling really rotten - might even have to go to bed before the chat gets going

A strong toddy for me later so that I fall asleep before the cough gets a hold. Never had a cold start with a cough before!

[SarzWix]

I usually make a very garlicky/oniony spag bol, accompanied by garlic bread & garlic mushrooms. I never have a cold for very long! My OH swears by a very hot chilli - if it doesn't cure the cold, it at least unblocks the nose! I have totally given up using decongestants - they just seem to prolong things and make me prone to sinusitis! The one thing that definately helps, which no-one seems to have time for anymore, is rest!

[jayne&tony]

Heat lemonade in a microwave and down 2 paracetamol with it. Better than lemsip and a whole lot cheaper

[everdream78]

Dr Scott's echinacea tea works for me (it's medical herbal grade, not just a herbal tea)

As previously suggested, a very hot chilli or curry normally does the trick for me - sweat it out!

[zebedee]

Take a bottle of your favourite tipple, whiskey, rum, brandy etc. Add a bottle of your favourite mixer. Drink. It won't necessarily get rid of the cold, but by the end of the bottle you won't give a stuff!

[Madasafish]

beechams or other powder, hot water, lemon juice, HONEY, gin or whisky.

Drink and go to bed with a hot water bottle and scarf round throat in well ventilated room.

[lainey lou]

Nurse LL replies...
Lots of water, echinacea, honey, lemon and glycerine drinks plenty of garlicky and spice stuff, some fresh air and lots of rest.
Get well soon!

[Two_Sheds]

Chilli, definitely gets your mucus flowing - better out than in!
We've had "camping cough" (similar to kennel cough I think! contracted on a very wet week in N.Norfolk) since August... OH has finally gone to Docs for some antibiotics, but they haven't worked. Back again next week I suppose.

[Winged one]

My mother's "tried and trusted" remedy is to crush 2 pips of a lime between 2 spoons, and swallow these with a shot of white rum. Never tried it myself, but she swears (after learning about it a couple of years ago) that it works.

However, as for me, a lot of what I do is similar to advice already offered here. I agree - lemon juice, hot water, honey. Add a shot of brandy or whisk(e?)y if you like. Honey helps sore throat and has antibacterial properties as well as sweetening. Take a couple of paracetemol as well should you wish (more para than in 1 "hot lemon" powder, when you can't even take 1 extra tablet).

Hot foods - chilli, curry, even fajitas can do the trick, definitely help with congestion. I usually alternate between a hot food day and an italian food day (loads of garlic) for the week.

A big glass of freshly squeezed orange juice every morning helps too - lots of vit c (you'll already be squeezing your lemons!). And take some vit c tablets and some echinacea as well. And as much fresh fruit as you can face, especially high vitamin stuff like berries and citrus.

And if you feel something coming on in your throat, gargle with warm water and loads of salt (attacks the bacteria and does help lessen the severity). If your nose is majorly affected, put some salt and bread soda onto a teaspoon, add some warm water, and inhale the resulting mixture (I haven't been brave enough to try this one yet, but a consultant I was seeing about asthma and weak chest said that this would work and it's what he does).

[lainey lou]

Quote If your nose is majorly affected, put some salt and bread soda onto a teaspoon, add some warm water, and inhale the resulting mixture (I haven't been brave enough to try this one yet, but a consultant I was seeing about asthma and weak chest said that this would work and it's what he does).[/QUOTE]

This is a really good tip, its best to use warm water and sea salt. You could try a neti pot (special jug type thing for irrigating the nostrils - i kid you not) sound gross but oddly compulsive will try and find a link.

[lainey lou]

http://www.arnoldsupplements.com/Net...FShWEgodwWSl3Q
I think this link should do it.....enjoy!

[lainey lou]

Ooooh, Got a few more for you... drink ginger tea to help reduce pain, fever and coughing, Pineapple juice helps the body break down and get rid of mucous and try steaming!