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Homemade Cold Remedies

October 21, 2011

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.

White Nedi pot on mat on table
 

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

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11 More Solutions

This page contains the following solutions.

January 17, 2006

A neighbor claimed he could sweat and it never smelled because he took zinc daily...

 
Read More...

November 4, 2004

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

 
Read More...

November 6, 2004

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.

 
Read More...

Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.


Bronze Request Medal for All Time! 53 Requests
October 2, 2008

I have been hit with a very bad cold (knocked me on my rear). I was wondering if anyone has a quick fix, inexpensive, to alleviate the symptoms? I started using Zycam yesterday, my husband swears by it, but it is expensive. Thanks for any suggestions. I know all of us will be getting this again.

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Janice from Illinois

Answers


Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 239 Feedbacks
October 2, 20080 found this helpful

Plain old Sudafed helps me greatly. Obviously nothing CURES but just being able to live sometimes seems like enough, hu? Lots of juice and chicken soup and just hang on. =(^.^)=

 
October 2, 20080 found this helpful

Most stores (like Walmart) make a generic version of Airborne. The nighttime one is especially helpful but the added zinc and Vitamin C really help. Also, if you write the company they will send you a sample - they just sent me two in the mail.

 
By (Guest Post)
October 2, 20080 found this helpful

I had a cold a couple of weeks ago. Since I have recently been put on Coumadine I didn't know what I could take so I contacted my doctor. The only thing I can take is Benadryl. So I got some lemons and drank a lot of hot lemonade.

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It takes about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to make it strong and then put enough sugar in it to make it good. Sure makes the throat feel better. I also purchased a nasal rinse kit by Ayr and used it 3 times a day. That really helped.

 
By Greer (Guest Post)
October 2, 20080 found this helpful

I make this little concoction whenever I have a cold or feel like I'm getting one, and it works for me. Basically, I put a tablet of Airborne (I also use the generic brand, and it's totally the same thing as the expensive stuff) into a big mug of hot decaf tea, and add liberal amounts of honey and lemon juice. I think it's pretty yummy, actually. Also, nothing beats getting a lot of rest/sleep. Hope you feel better soon!

 
October 2, 20080 found this helpful

Make a ginger infusion. Get a piece of fresh ginger and cut it into small, thin pieces, then boil it in water and sweeten with honey. It always makes me feel better.

 
By clb (Guest Post)
October 2, 20080 found this helpful

I did a 2 day cleanse and it kicked my 2.5 week cold! It even kicked my sinus infection.
RECIPE: 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 6 tablespoons organic maple syrup, 1 liter water.

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See "Master Cleanse"

 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 290 Feedbacks
October 2, 20080 found this helpful

You can buy a store brand antihistamine for relief of: runny nose, sneezing, itchy, throat, itchy and watery eyes at the dollar stores. Sure beats the high price of the well known brands.

 

Bronze Request Medal for All Time! 53 Requests
October 3, 20080 found this helpful

Thanks for the replies. I will try them. Anything is better than nothing at this point.

 
October 3, 20080 found this helpful

I had the flu a couple of years ago that made me sicker than I can ever remember being. I started taking a one-a-day type vitamin 3 times a day, one with each meal, and I recovered very quickly after that. Since then I have read a lot about preventing illness, and aside from taking vitamin C ever day, most natural healers also recommend taking vitamin D.

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They say that most Americans, especially those of us who live in colder climates have a vitamin D deficiency. This is something you might want to research.

 
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October 3, 2008

Looking for homemade remedy for colds.

Wanda from Hinesville, GA

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May 23, 2020

Onion smoothies can help you heal from bronchitis and is an expectorant. Though the raw onions make this a very strong drink, if you can build up a tolerance you can benefit from this drink and feel better faster.

Onion Smoothie Cold Remedy in glass

December 5, 2017

This is a page about making a homemade nutmeg chest cold remedy. This pungent spice is thought to provide some relief for a chest cold.

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Here is an old recipe to try, the next time that you are sick.

Whole nutmeg and a grater.

July 15, 2017

Actually whether you have a cold or fever, starving your body is never the best answer. Current medical science says that eating well in either situation has benefits. This is a page about feeding a cold.

Chicken Soup

June 30, 2017

The vitamin C content of citrus fruits has long made them a good choice for helping to shorten a cold. This is a page about using grapefruit for a cold.

Woman Eating Grapefruit

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