Natural Cold Remedies?

[Marcasite]

I have a really bad sinus infection with mondo congestion. :sick: I don't really have the money at the moment to go buy any cold/flu medicine until friday, so I was hoping to get some advice on how to help my cold using things around the house
thanks a lot

[nag champa]

That depends on what you have around the house.

Eat plenty of garlic and horseradish. Both contain broad-spectrum antibiotics and will encourage your sinuses to drain.

Periodic eucalyptus steam inhalations will sooth the muccus membranes, and ease your congestion, as will drinking hot teas.

You might try saline irregation using a bulb syringe to flush the nasal passages with a solution of table salt and baking soda, 1/4 tablespoon of each dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water. It's uncomfortable, but it really helps.

[HorseCrow]

My favorite and very effective cure is:

1 clove of garlic
1 equal sized piece of fresh ginger
Pinch of cayenne pepper
½ tsp. cinnamon
Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lemon
1 tsp. honey

Crush garlic and ginger and add with the rest of the ingredients to one cup of off-the-boil water. Drink 2- 3 cups a day till symptoms are gone. It is great for a sore throat too.

[Meadhbh]

This herbal tea,is one of the best cold remedies, helps handle fever and reduce achiness, congestion, and inflammation.

1 part - elder (Sambucus nigra)
1 part - peppermint (Mentha piperita)
1 part - yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Combine the ingredients. Steep 1 to 2 tsp of the mixture in 1 cup hot water. Allow it to steep for 10-25 minutes covered. Strain and drink it hot just before going to bed. It may be taken with a pinch of mixed spice and a little honey to soothe a painful throat. Prepare a fresh cup for each dose. Sip the dosage slowly, never gulp it down. Swish it around the mouth before swallowing. This helps the liquid to mix with the enzymes in the saliva and rapidly assimilates the herbs into the blood stream.
This tea will induce a sweat, and if the cold is caught early enough, may stop it altogether. Even if it is too late for this it will still be very useful. This tea can help the body handle fever and reduce achiness, congestion, and inflammation. Other herbs that may be added to the infusion include:
Cayenne a favorite North American Indian remedy: use 1.25 ml (1/4 tsp) of the powder to really stimulate the circulation.
Cinnamon use a cinnamon stick, and break it into the mixture of herbs, for a gentle, warming and sweat-inducing effect.
Ginger grate a small piece of fresh root ginger into the mixture for extra heat.

[acorn elf]

I've heard you should drink apple cider vinegar for sinus stuff. But dilute it, about 2Tbsp per cup of water. Drink it through a straw and rinse afterwards because it's hard on your tooth enamel.

[Marcasite]

thanks for all your suggestions. I've been drinking herbal tea nonstop all day. Unfortunately things just seem to be getting worse and I've got a bad fever. Anyone want to send me some healing energy? thanks soo much for all your help. I love this forum. you people are soo supportive

[Gypsy flower]

Eucaluptis bath ( as hot as you can stand) then wrap in a blanket sip hot lemon and honey tea, then sleep!!!

[Jenne]

chamomile and eucalyptus tea infusions can help you as well.

Also, try a steaming bowl of water with a tisaine of eucalyptus or mint in it, and a towel over your head as you breathe over the bowl. And when in the shower, as steamy as you can stand it!

Good luck and healing vibes for ya!

[Eventide]

Thyme is your friend. It contains antibacterial and antiseptic properties .Thymol is the active ingredient that will help you. It acts as a powerful decongestant. Comercial cold medicine use thyme as an ingredient as well.

Whatever type of cold I catch I never pass this up:

Take 2 tablespoons of thyme per cup of boiling water. Cover the lid if possible to keep the volatile oils from dissipating. Wait 4-5 mins. Strain. Add a shot of fresh lemon juice if possible(the high vitamin C content will help your body absorb the iron).
Note: don't drink more than 3 cups/day

A good ginger tea in the morning is a good way to clear the sinuses. It is also an antibacterial. Grating and sqeezing the ginger to make juice is the preferred method for making ginger tea. Use about 1 teaspoon of juice per 1 cup of hot water.

[yavanna]

When I got colds, my mom used to chop up a vidalia onion and boil it with honey, ginger and thyme until it was a syrupy sticky concoction. It worked well for sore throats and coughs and it didn't taste too bad either.