Happy Monday, dear Posse folks! I was planning to have a scented post for you today, but alas, in the last couple of days, I’ve come down with a mild but pesky cold. Sigh. All stuffed up and no way to smell. A real bummer not to be able to test-drive what I was hoping to.
I’m fighting the good fight with some herbal immunity-boosting tablets, vitamin C, and of course, lots of red, white and green tea, and that’s helping keep the worst of the symptoms at bay. I’m just praying that it doesn’t somehow worsen and develop into bronchitis like it did last spring – yuck! Although I realize my plight could be worse – a co-worker of mine has come down with strep throat, bless her heart.
So if you have a moment or two, please do share what works for you when you’re feeling all stuffed up and under the weather. Do you eat or drink certain things that help? Maybe do some kind of treatment with menthol or eucalyptus oil? Any other tips or tricks that help you survive? And of course, there’s always Vick’s Vaporub, but I don’t have any and am not sure if they even make it anymore.
Thank you, everyone, for your good wishes and for all the wonderful tips and suggestions. I’m trying many of them and they seem to be working, as I’m starting to return to somewhat normal. Hope those of you who are also under the weather are feeling better and hope the rest of you stay well. Thanks again and hugs to you all!
Couple of things have worked for me over the years
– hot steam inhalation. Add a few drops of Eucaliptus and it will clear you up 🙂
– Neti pot – really good for thinning out the mucus and removing all of that gunk
– Eucaliptus again – I spray few drops on my pillow
– hot or cold air humidifier. Vicks makes this little inserts that you can use with the hot air humidifier – works like a charm
– musinex nose spray or afrin – not recommended to use for more than 3 days but boy does it work
Fifth day with a head cold 🙁 Lots of liquids and lots of popsicles! 🙂
Hot shower or hot bath in a closed bathroom, homemade chicken soup (now scientifically proven to be a decongestant and delicious to boot!), tea with honey and lemon, or a hot toddy before bedtime, and use a room humidifier.
Other than those home remedies, I also like the Breathe Right strips to help open the nasal passages. It’s temporary, but when you are ready to scream from not being able to breathe, they give you a piece of your sanity back.
Take care of yourself!
When I am sick with a head cold, I take a Claritin to keep the sinus inflamation down. Otherwise, I will end up with a sinus infection. I drink a lot of tea and eat a lot of soup but the only perfume I can tolerate when sick is no 22. Otherwise, it’s a big hacking fit.
I second the hot tea with lemon and honey, hot baths, naps, chicken noodle soup plus humidifiers and Mucinex. Hope you’re feeling better soon with no bronchitis. I hate when that happens!
Elderberry syrup, vitamin C, zinc, and I brew my own Fire Cider and take it throughout cold season to help prevent me from getting sick to begin with. If I’m really congested I get Sudafed. The real one where you need to sign your life away at the pharmacy counter. Beyond that I’m a fan of lots of tea and rest.
Hey Ann,
Sorry to read that you’re unwell. What a complete bummer.
My remedy on top of soup, vitamins, sleep is HOT BATH.
Get into the hottest bath you can tolerate, only go in so your legs and body to under your boobs are wet, put your arms in too. Drink a hot cup of tea while you’re in there with slices of fresh ginger and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Once you’ve been in there about 15 minutes the upper part of your body should start sweating. Sweat till it slows considerably, you’ll know when. Immerse your body for a quick wash and sluice. Get out, dry yourself quickly, moisturise with something gorgeous, get into your pyjamas, drink some water, take a sleeping tablet, sleep, wake up healthy.
Old wives recipe that really works.
Portia xxx
I tend to stay sick for a long time. My best chance at turning it around in reasonable time is chicken broth with lemon juice, fresh orange/carrot/ginger juice and as much sleep as I can tolerate. (This can backfire if it keeps you from sleeping at night.)
I take Nyquil for a couple of nights just so I can sleep a bit and I use NeilMed Sinus Rinse religiously – rec’d by my ENT and it has SAVED me. No more sinus infections, bronchitis, etc. So wonderful.
Aww, hope you feel better soon, Ann! I have been drinking hot lemon water for awhile now, with turmeric and ginger. With a little honey, I’m thinking it would be good for a stuffy nose.
I’m a soup girl. Either Avgolemono or a brothy chicken soup with ginger, jalapeno, and lemon juice.
Naps! As much rest as you feel you need is my best and favorite remedy. I hope you feel better quickly.
Honey, honey, honey. In your tea,by the spoonful, and with a little whiskey , hit water and lemon. Feel better soon!
I find hot lemon and honey very pleasant when sick! I hope you feel better soon.
There are pills called Clarinase. I don’t know if you can find it in the US but it’s a very efficient decongestant. I usually take one or two and I’m like new again.
They definitely still make Vicks vapour rub in the UK, great stuff if you are blocked up and can’t sleep well as a result!
Hi! Thanks for letting us know — I’ll go hunting for it now.