Homemade Cold Remedies

Tips for Cold Prevention And Treatment

I can't tell you how many people, either in my life or on Facebook, have already been struck down this year with a cold; not just a sneeze, but really ill. So here we go again; what do we do, is there anything?

I have heard like many of you all of the sayings "feed a cold, starve a fever" or is it the other way around? We all really don't know. What about "chicken soup cures a cold" or worse "there isn't a cure for the common cold". Well I know none of the times I have had a bad cold, did it feel common at all! Since I have an auto immune thing going on, I have to try to find every prevention I can, so I thought I'd share a few tips with you and wish you luck to this being the year you don't get sick.

I take supplements anyway so I just increase my vitamin C this time of the year. If you get enough in your diet, you may only want to increase your vitamin C intake when you feel a cold coming on or have one. The earlier the better, is what my doctor says.

Because of my auto immune weakness, I have researched some unconventional ways to help fight off unwanted germs; one being a neti pot. I got mine at an antique store on a half price table (they thought it was part of a tea set), so I was blessed with a real porcelain one. I looked, you can get them at Walmart or online. Most are made of plastic.

Neti pots are used for sinus infections, prevention, and multiple other things. I use mine a couple times a week for clearing out my nostrils of all germs. You can as I did before use a bottle, or bulb syringe. With the neti pot you just tilt your head, so you can get a even flow of clean (boiled, sterile) water in each side of your nose.

I use only a small amount of salt in mine with it filled up 2/3 way with water. So if you were using a bulb, make a glass of salt water and put a 1/2 teaspoon of salt in it. Too much salt makes your nasal passages dry. If you do this, not only will you help prevent getting a cold, you'll notice your sense of smell is many times better. My doctor mentioned some people have nose bleeds for different reasons (usually from dryness). It helps prevent those also.

I know some of you may think this is uncomfortable; it isn't. It helps you not get a cold or if you have one, clears it up a lot faster. I read it was started in India many centuries ago.

Washing your hands is the most important thing you can do to prevent the whole house from getting sick and keeping yourself well. I take hand sanitizer everywhere. Put a little lotion in the bottle to prevent drying out your hands, or get the cream kind, not just plain alcohol. You need to wash your hands 20 full seconds, as many times a day as needed. I have seen posts on whether or not you need to use antibacterial soap. No, but you do need to wash a full 20 seconds if you're not. The doctors just had this on about washing hands to prevent spreading germs last week. So I feel good about doing it the way my doctor told me. We don't think about everyone touching everything we do until it's too late.

If you come down with a cold, I believe my grandma was right. Chicken soup helps, but it's because of all of the vitamins in it. If you take the time, make sure you get soup without additives or make your own. It does help. Tastes great too!

For sore throats, I do not think some cough drops are worth a dime. I only use the ones without sugar. Building back your immune system is what you need. Keep that in mind with cough drops, tea and what you eat.

So grab a box of tissue, a cup of tea, vitamin C drops, use a Neti pot (bottle or bulb), and have some chicken soup ready. Hopefully this year you will not be out of commission for long. Don't forget to change you sheets and pillow cases, I change my pillow cases 2 times a week always. If you get sick, make sure you wash them right away.

God bless and have a healthy fall and winter.

Source: I saw a Neti Pot on a TV show a few years ago and asked my doctor about if, it would help with my lupus. I always try to keep up on feeling better, taking supplements and what I put into my body.

By Luana M. from San Diego, CA

Chest and Sinus Herbal Relief

Here's a recipe that may help your household during this cold and flu season.

Ingredients:

• 2 drops lavender
• 2 drops tea tree
• 2 drops eucalyptus

Directions:

Boil a pot of water and remove from the stove. While still steaming, add 2 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops lavender and 2 drops tea tree. Cover bowl and head with towel and inhale for at least 3 minutes. KEEP EYES CLOSED.

By Kathy

Cold Relief Herbal Soak

If you do manage to get a cold this season, even with all the anti-cold tips, the following herbal soak may help you feel better.

<ul><li>4 parts dried lavender
<li>4 parts dried rosemary
<li>4 parts chopped fresh ginger root or 2 parts ginger powder
<li>2 parts dried eucalyptus

Use 1/2 cup of dried herbs or one to two cups of fresh herbs. Crush the herbs first to release their essential oils. Mix the herbs and tie them into a square of muslin or a handkerchief. Hang the bag under the faucet as you fill the tub. The bag can be used to scrub your skin as well.

<P>By Kathy