13 Cold Remedies
If you’re one of the many people suffering from a cold or the flu, the Mayo Clinic has a list of remedies that have been proven or disproven to help. Conveniently, there were thirteen items on the list.
Now, I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV or even impersonate one on the internet. If you want to know the why’s and wherefore’s of the Mayo Clinic’s opinions, go read their site!
Anyway, I hope everyone feels better soon!
Try these:
1. Hydrate to loosen phlegm and avoid dehydration. The only time I can drink Gatorade is if I’m extremely sick. As soon as I feel a bit better I can’t stand the aftertaste again.
2. Gargle with Salt Water to relieve a sore throat. My uncle still swears by this one. Of course, he also swears by rock candy and rye whiskey for sore throats too.
3. Saline nasal sprays (not decongestants) to ease stuffy congested noses. I’ll have to try this instead of Afrin for my next head cold.
4. Chicken Soup helps reduce inflammation and helps speed mucus. And canned soup results are almost as good as homemade. DD loves the double noodle in her thermos for lunch. Now.. if the school had more than T-W-O walls on their cafeteria, the kids might not get as sick in the first place, hmmmm?
5. Over-the-counter cold medications for symptom relief. DH swears by Tylenol Cold & Flu. Make sure they haven’t expired!
6. Humidity helps on many levels. Be sure to keep your humidifier clean and change the water daily.
Skip these:
7. Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, not viral infections.
8. Antihistamines help with allergies but can make cold symptoms worse by drying sinus membranes. Check you’ve got the right OTC meds!
9. Over-the-counter (OTC) cough syrups don’t treat the underlying cause of coughs. Yes, but being able to sleep is often welcome too.
10. “Starve a cold, feed a fever.” You’re better off staying hydrated and eating what you can keep down.
What can it hurt?
11. Vitamin C — no ideal dose agreed upon, too much can cause nausea and diarrhea. Who needs more when you’ve got the flu?
12. Echinacea — some people swear by Airborne, but no conclusive study on its benefits.
13. Zinc — depends on the type and when taken and many zinc studies are flawed.
So… what works for you?
| 1 Alice Audrey | 2 Danica/Dream | 3 Rasmenia |
| 4 Tempest Knight | 5 HolleeAnn | 6 Debbie Mumford |
| 7 Jennifer McKenzie | 8 Ava Rose Johnson | 9 Cinde Morris |
| 10 R.G. Alexander | 11 geek-betty | 12 Nicholas |
| 13 Susan Helene Gottfried | 14 pussreboots | 15 Kat’s Krackerbox |
| 16 Tasina | 17 Di | 18 Melanie |
| 19 Winter | 20 Maribeth | 21 Kathleen Oxley |
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Great list for this time of year. I always make a big pot of chicken soup when a cold is making its’ rounds. Thanks for sharing. Happy T13!
Chicken soup is definitely a winner! Great for blustery winter days, too!
Definitely try the saline. Afrin can mess up your nose so it doesn’t stop dripping even when the cold is gone.
Yeah, I’m very cautious with the Afrin and only use it when I absolutely can’t stand the sinus pressure any more. I also try to get off it as quickly as possible since it has the opposite effect of my bp meds =P. Sometimes breathing and thinking seem more important. *sigh*
Some great advice. Luckily I don’t seem to get many colds!
These are good! I’ve been taking a chinese herbal thing that’s been helping me ward them off before they get going.
Hmm…I don’t see anything on this list about lying on the couch whining & crying for sympathy…I guess that’s what I’ve been doing wrong. 😉
Have a great Thursday!
Great T13! I’ll have to try some of these. 🙂
SLEEP…is the only thing that works for me. i found that delsym OTC drug is a lifesaver to stop the cough long enough to REALLY get a good snooze going on!
new to Thursday Thirteen. poking around other participants, trying to broaden my bloggy horizons.
Thank you for this list. I have been suffering with a cold for the last month.
We use the Vitamin C and Zinc…and those side effects help you know when you’ve had enough! Start having problems…just back off on the dosage a little! Great list! Happy T-13!
Great list and VERY timely…but I’ve had amazing luck with Airborne…
It’s funny. The smell of chicken soup makes me feel sick. LOL. All those years of being plied with it when I was ill.
These are great, Kaige. Gargling with salt water was always a home remedy my mom used for sore throats.
Okay, you just taught me way more about colds than I ever wants to know! Great list!
yeah airborne and the neti pot are hubby’s latest cure alls. Great List!
#2 and #3 work for me!
I haven’t had a cold for about 8 years (knock on wood!) but my usual tactic was to refuse to admit i was ill. It didn’t do much good but I hate to give in. I did make sure I had lots of liquids and a few aspirin.
Heh. I’ve been extolling the nighttime help of Afrin!
I’m just in the “take it easy” mode at this point. The antibiotics have kicked in and I’m feeling better, so long as I get some good naps. #2’s getting a LOT of computer time this week.
Nice practical advice. I have to say that the best part of getting a cold is getting to eat my husband’s home made chicken soup. Yummy.
Happy TT.
I’m a huge fan of Nyquil. It doesn’t cure the cold, but zonks you out so you don’t care. 🙂
Great list for this time of the year! Hmmm…don’t know what I’m going to do the rest of the year. I may skip a letter for holidays that are on or near TT to spread them out! Thanks for stopping by. Happy TT
What about “whine around like a big baby and make people wait on you hand and foot” ???? 😉
Have you tried the neti pot? My Mom saw it on the Today show and told me about it. I suffer from allergies and perma-post-nasal drip. The neti pot works great!
Great list, unfortunately too appropriate right now. Thanks for stopping by and Happy TT!
Coughing..vicks on the bottom of your feet and put your socks on after putting it on your feet…ahh ! At least that is what the last blog said works! Great list! I am so glad I am feeling well..though.
I feel better already!
We have always gargled with salt water and a dissolved aspirin when a sore throat hits. It usually does the trick.
Thanks for the info
Maribeth
I second above. Rest is the most important thing. Rest and hydrate, and your immune system takes care of the rest. Basically, providing your body with what it needs to combat the intruders on it’s own. In that way, electrolytes and vitamins are important too. Nice list & good thought! Happy belated TT!