To ask for your very best cold blasting trickS

[Jenstar21]

Ok so not really AIBU, but getting a bit desperate....
I never get colds.... But have been hit with a stinker which has developed over today. Normally I'd just get on with it, but I have a massively important job interview first thing Monday. I feel like crap, constant stream of mucus (nice), shivering, coughing like a sealion - the lot. I'm trying to blast it with day/night nurse, but it's upsetting my stomach. Any failsafe, tried & tested methods? Thanks for any help.

[squeakytoy]

Berocca tablets to get lots of vitamin and minerals into your system. And take Benedryl for the runny nose. The anti-histamine dries up your runny nose, and that stops it running down your throat, which will be irritating your cough.

Always works a treat for me.

[Kladdkaka]

Antihistimines for the streamig nose.

[Jenstar21]

Ooooh. Hadn't thought of the anti-histhamines. Thanks loads.

[squeakytoy]

That is something I had never thought of myself until I had a cold last year and asked the chemist. She was the one who suggested it, and it solved the problem within the hour. I had a great nights sleep too without constantly waking up to cough or blow my nose.

[AgentZigzag]

Oooh you poor thing, bloody horrible feeling like shite

Good luck for the job interview

[gapants]

chicken soup/broth- good quality home made if someone could!
sleep- your body needs to rest and repair itself
ultrbalm tissues- no nasty red sore nose for interviews
vicks sinex spray- will make your nose run, then dry it out for the intervoiew day- good squirt in the morning, and then you will have to blow and blow, then it will dry out
lansinoh for your lips so they dont dry out
night nurse is the business to make sure you sleep- try the liquid rather than the pills, if not, have a Nytol on top of some regular cold and flu over the counter stuff.

[izzywhizzyletsgetbusy]

I swear by Askit powders for immediate relief (sometimes available from Asda pharmacies); take 2 and then 1 every 4-6 hours washed down with fresh lemon juice and honey in boiling water (allow to cool before drinking) - add a generous tot of whiskey to the last drink you make before bedtime.

Avoid dairy products as are they are mucus inducing; a bowl of what I call 'grated' soup is comforting when feeling under the weather: grate 1 medium onion, 2 carrots, 1 large potato, and a swede or turnip if you have one, into a saucepan, add 1 litre vegetable or chicken stock, bring to boil and simmer until veg is tender, add salt and pepper to taste.

Take megastrength (1000mg) Vitamin C tablets several times a day. The hottest curry you can manage to eat will deliver extra Vit.C and clear out your sinuses.

Good luck for Monday.

[80sMum]

Could it be flu and not a cold? You mention that it came on suddenly, that you are shivering and have a cough and that you have an upset stomach. Vitamin C, echinacea and zinc supplements might help. Get plenty of bed rest and plenty to drink; hot drinks may be more soothing. Hope you feel better soon.

[DirtyMartini]

Hot water for lemon juice shouldn't be fully boiling - kills off the vit C - or so I've read somewhere. That could be total bollocks but just in case, I generally let it cool for a few minutes after boiling.

Breathing in steam can be soothing - hot water in bowl, towel over your head to make a mini-steam zone. Listen to something on the radio or it gets a bit dull.

[edwinbear]

Whisky, hot water and sugar before bed. It's never failed me.

[Jenstar21]

Thanks so much everyone. Knew Mumsnetters would have tricks. ;) I'm all dozed up and off to bed now. Will send OH out to Asda in the morning to get soups, veg, etc. Really hoping it's not flu.... Spare room beckons so I don't spread my lurgy!

[mousymouse]

a hot bath works for me when I have cold without a fever. I start with a comfortable temperature, adding hot water until I start sweating. after that get out, wrap myself into the duvet and sleep.

[ZhenXiang]

Drink for clearing head, sinuses etc...:

Hot water
Juice of half a lemon
3 teaspoons of honey
Several slices of ginger
A slice of red chilli
3 cloves
1cm piece of cinnamon stick
Tot of whiskey (optional)

For the cough:
Bring water to boil and add a bunch of thyme, simmer for an hour to make thyme tea (remember to keep topping up water). Drink with honey or sugar to sweeten. NOT SUITABLE IF PREGNANT.

Expectorant for persistent cough:
Finely chop one onion, put in a glass or a jar
Cover completely with sugar
Leave for 24 hours
Take a spoonful of the syrup formed several times a day

[BornSicky]

zhen's drink - never fails me either

also, hot bath (steam for decongesting)

then multiple layers of cloths in bed - this may just be a comfort thing,but it makes me feel better.

also, vit c, garlic and zinc.

[Rowena8482]

Nanna's special hot toddy. Heat the right amount of lemonade to make a lemsip type cold powder up with, add 2 teaspoons of honey and a wee tot of whisky. Drink it while it's HOT.

[80sMum]

Ooh, I like the look of your drink ZhenXiang. Will try that next time I get a cold (if not before!).

[coolascucumber]

Sherry, lots of it. Doesn't make the cold go away but you get that lovely warm and woozy feeling!

[izzywhizzyletsgetbusy]

Just remembered: my pa swears by mustard baths for aches, pains, colds, flu etc - he claims it draws out toxins. Paternal aged dg puts mustard powder in a foot bath when she has a cold; she reads the paper while topping up the bowl from a hot kettle as the water cools.

Chuck half a cup of ground mustard seeds or mustard powder into a hot bath plus your usual smellies and wallow for as long as you like, or immerse your feet in bowl of hot mustard water.

My sadly lamented wonderful Polish neighbour was a child when she walked with her family and many others from Stalin's Siberia to Iran (then Persia) after they were displaced from the area that is now Belarus - food was scarce and she claimed her mother could make soup from a twig.

This is her recipe for an 'inner cleansing' soup and it is delicious; you feel as if it's doing you good as you sip it: chop 1 medium onion finely and sweat in a little oil, add 1 finely chopped medium potato, 1 finely shopped carrot, and a handful of pearl barley. Cover with 1 litre veg or chicken stock, bring to boil, simmer until the contents are tender. Season to taste and enjoy!

[Andrewofgg]

Whisky in hot water then three vigorous shags under three heavy blankets in an over-heated room.

[Jenstar21]

Just wanted to say - thank you so much for all your remedies. Tried most of them (didn't feel up to the vigorous shagging, sadly), and am slightly less of a snot-monster. The interview must have gone well, because I was offered the job today! Yay! Thanks Mumsnetters. :)

[BeatRoute]

Nice one, Jenstar. Congratulations!

[DirtyMartini]

[Andrewofgg]

:o and try my remedy when you feel better by way of celebration!

[Ineedacleaneriamalazyslattern]

izzywhizzyletsgetbusy askit with honey and lemon (not forgetting the whiskey at bedtime) is pretty much how I have battled a cold this week.
I am a bridesmaid on Saturday and could have done without a cold.
I have also (much to dh delight been slathering on Vicks at night and wearing my cosiest jammies.
I have thankfully got rid of the worst of it and should make it through saturday...now I'm just dreading the dc getting it before then.

[izzywhizzyletsgetbusy]

Brilliant news - when do you start?

I rate Askit powders as a wonder drug slattern I think they're easy to get in Scotland(?) but it can sometimes be difficult to find them in London so I buy them online. Hope you're fully recovered by tomorrow and that the big day goes well for you and all concerned.

I like the sound of your drink Xiang - can it be made with fresh lemon grass instead of lemon juice?