MNHQ needs your avoiding/surviving winter sniffles advice and tips.

Though I'm in agreement about vit supplements in general - folic acid being a honourable exception in my case - I know Linus Pauling was big on vitC, but I thought that research was rather discredited?

That said, the power of placebo is pretty extraordinary, and I guess that's an important factor in cold remedies, so long as they don't actively harm.

"all our Vit C comes from the potatoes in our diet." Speak for yourself, tater lady!

And I trust you mean that honey would keep bacterial infections at bay if it's an antibiotic?

DH and I got the flu vaccine, had to pay for it but went ahead as DH is a contractor, cost £20.00 each. Didn't get DS done as he would have needed 2 jabs and couldn't face it. He got the fly over christmas we didn't so definitely worth while.

Britons don't need Vit C supplements. We don't really even need to eat fruit, as all our Vit C comes from the potatoes in our diet.

The fruit we eat should be the indiginous varities, such as apples, plums, pears, etc. And even then, I wouldn't sweat it.

A spoonful of honey a day will keep a lot of viral infections at bay. It's one of nature's most powerful antibiotics.

Selenium is low in our soil apparently and we could all do with s top-up.

Has anyone mentioned that taking v high doses of vit c and b is the opposite of healthy?

When somebody gets cold / flu - air through the house daily ( obviously don't sit ill person in the draft !!!) Napisan / germ spray the obvious places - loo handle, bathroom door handle, Fridge door handle.
When dh ill move out of bedroom into kids room/ spare room so you can get sleep - snoring is worse and of course you need to run and get them lemsips, tissues etc as they are 'dying'.
Dc probotic youghurt daily
Adults - Probotic vits, Vit C +zinc.
DC snotty noses saline drops / spray - great for those non nose blowing toddlers- snot suckers if needed.

elderberry extract is just marvellous

kiki superfood
it's expensive and tastes like licking out the bottom of the veg compartment in your fridge when you haven't cleaned it for 3 months
BUT
works wonders at stopping you getting run down, or boosting you up after a cold

Encourage your children to pick their noses and eat mud pies. Possibly even garnish their pies with bogies or is that a step too far?

Alternatively, hang garlic around everyone's neck and give them each a cup of hot lemon and honey.

(Betchya really keen to come over for supper now eh?)

We've been reasonably cold free SO FAR...

I think taking a good multivit all year round makes a difference (eg multibionta) PLUS a Vit C and Zinc capsule.

Agree with hot baths.

I also don't go along with taking paracetamol based remedies to lower your temperature. My reasoning being that your temp goes up for a reason, ie to kill germs in your system. (I'm aware that I may be going against popular opinion and the entire drug industry on this one though )

I'm also not sure about medications that 'dry up' mucous, surely the mucous is produced to flush the germs out of your system Am prepared to be corrected though.

Garlic is hopeless too.
And propolis.

NOTHING WORKS for me.

Harumph.

Do not allow toddlers near you.

Echinacea is shite, ime. Ditto vitamin c.

Hot bath with lavender and eucalyptus oil

Lots of sleep

really high dose vitamins, double the normal to up your system

No housework

George Clooney on DvD

'relaxed' cleaning standards (good for the immune system) and a diet high in garlic seems to work here - not a very 'coldy' house.

Green tea, multi vitamins, wash hands after being out, flu jab. Not sure which works but I have not had a cold for years.

Oh really? That sounds worth a try, cheers.

Get lots of sleep, apparently

Horton - you can get lozenges which taste like cough candy. They're very nice.

No no no! Not the tablets - they taste of ground up bee! Get the capsules!

If you can then do your shopping online and get it delivered. The amount of people who cough right in to your face in supermarkets is unreal.
And eat tons of garlic.

good multivitamins seem to help us. DS always gets a cold even though he eats loads of fruit and veg but taking a multi-vit does seem to help.

I take Phamaton - good ebnough for Helen McCathur, god enough for me and I never get cold

Thanks Horton - Propolis tablets!

Flu jab, flu jab, flu jab. Our local pharmacy now does them for free for everyone, all you need to do is be registered at a local gp surgery. This year's most prevalent flu strain is in this year's jab.

Benylin Day and Night for me when I've got a bad cold and I gargle hot salt water when I get a sore throat. And drink lots of tea and water and enough sleep.

I have a humidifier for the boys' bedrooms when they get coughy. Or I put a wet towel on the radiator in their room with a bit of Olbas oil. They need more sleep, too.

Agree wholeheartedly with avoiding the doctor as much as possible. Too many sick people there!

Slice and boil in water fresh lemons and add honey, then drink throughout the day. Lots of garlic in food or capsules(I use fresh in food).

Keep lips from becoming chapped by applying Melrose or wearing lipstick during the day and Melrose at night. The theory behind this is that IME, once I get a cracked/chapped lip, I get a cold. Keep then from cracking = no colds.
If I get a sore throat etc, I overdo the VitC for a few days.
Dispose of dirty tissues by burning them and wash hands after using a tissue on your nose.
I use Vicks or Vaporub on the soles of feet to stop coughing at night, it really helps. I use pure essential lavender oil on pillows too.