Natural cold remedies..

[Becca19962014]

Any suggestions? My head feels stuffed and my throat is hurting a lot, minimal runny nose. I've had a sugar free strepsil but it turns out I can't have any over the counter meds because of my blood pressure issues recently (though I'm wondering if that was down to me becoming ill as its not usually that high) and must limit the strepsils because artificial sweeteners really effect my diabetes.

I already take painkillers for my other conditions.

I've tried ginger and lemon tea (which was horrible!) and have echiniecea tea.

I'm resting as much as I can anyway (other illnesses at the moment badly controlled and under investigation) but that's really hard right now due to my throat hurting so much.

Thanks in advance!

Is there nothing OTC you can take? You can only get relief from the symptoms anyway. What about a throat spray and a decongestant? Gargling with soluble aspirin is effective for a sore throat if that's an option at all.

I can't have anything with decongestant due to blood pressure problems unfortunately. The only thing the pharmacist could suggest was the sugar free strepsils.

I've had lempsip capsules in the past but given my blood pressure has been so high I've been told not to have them this time (usually I only have one with 500mg of paracetamol and no caffeine four times a day anyway).

If you are bunged up, inhaling the steam from menthol crystals in hot water can help - you need to keep your head over the bowl with a towel over it to contain the steam. I think you can do the same with Olbas Oil too.

Diabetes also complicates things as I can't have artificial sweeteners.

Thanks I'll try that.

Sorry not much help op but does anyone know why
Potters cold and flu remedy was taken off the market?
It bloody good stuff - it had to be diluted or it would blow your head off.

There's a herbal one made from geranium that I found pretty good.

Have you tried garlic? Not raw cloves but just chopping it up and stir frying it with onions and mushrooms? You'll stink to high hell but never get another cold in your life

I don't know sugarabdvinegar sorry

I've not tried garlic no.

I usually gently boil a sliced lemon in some water for 20 minutes then drink the juice with a spoon of honey....

I’m not sure what you can/can’t have with your existing conditions but here’s some things I do:

• Drink lots of water
•make a honey and lemon drink- squeeze half a lemon in a mug, a dollop of honey and grate in some fresh ginger- fill up with boiling water
• also agree with ‘steaming’ and garlic as above
• Fresh pineapple- I think I read somewhere once it helps stave off infection
• salt water gargle for sore throat
• eat soup. No idea if it particularly helps but I always find it comforting!

Hope you feel better soon

Apparently steeping sage in hot water and then drinking is v soothing for sore throats .Tho I wouldn't know whether the herb has any chemical like stuff ( sorry ,feeling a bit rough myself ! ) that you shouldn't have .

Colloidal silver is v good for infection - drink or spray .It's just like water .

I drink loads of water normally so that's not a problem, when ill I want to drink warm drinks and eat little so I'm forcing myself to eat every couple of hours (for meds/blood sugar).

I can't do anything about my blood sugar going up despite doing nothing unusual, I've not had a cold since being diagnosed so it's new to me it being effected. Likewise my blood pressure which usually is low is very high - that might be due to having a cold - I think I've been coming down with it for awhile.

I see steaming has been recommended. If menthol or Olbas Oil doesn't work, you can try lavender essential oil. Lavender is antiseptic and breathing in the steam of 4-5 drops in a bowl of boiling water may also help with the sore throat.

Although, generally with colds I find myself sipping a lot of tea to keep the throat soothed.

Menthol crystals from chemist approx 2 quid are great for a steam. Better than Olbas etc.

Salt water gargle - better than sprays etc for sore throat

Elderberry syrup

Sage andmarshmallow root tea for a sore throat. Steam with menthol crystals and eucalyptus oil for blocked nose and stuffy head. Elderberry syrup for a general vitamin boost.
Make a broth from 1l veg stock, 3/4 jar lazy garlic, a teaspoon of chilli flakes, a chunk of grated ginger, a couple of onions da couple of carrots. You'll stink to high heaven but it really works the clear your head and ease your breathing.

Olbas oil on your pillow or neckline of your nightclothes . Vicks vapor rub on your chest and feet (put an old pair of socks on).

Lots of vitamine c and lots of ginger in food. Elderberry( sambucol) for immune system.

Proper honey really is good. Don’t buy the cheap stuff that tastes like golden syrup. Find and buy proper honey ideally local. So good for sore throats. Just lick it off the spoon or put it on a drink.

Hot showers
Steaming
Olbas oil
Hot drinks
Lots of spicy soups!

Olbas oil is always good for a blocked nose and Vicks.

Seconding proper local honey. It's not cheap but it's a mile away in what it does.

Thanks!

Just one point. Menthol is good if you're blocked up, but steaming is often recommended for people with coughs as well as sore throats.

If you have a dry cough, don't steam with menthol, it dries you up and makes the cough worse. For a dry cough you can steam with just boiling water/plain steam.

I don't have a dry cough. But I do have a swollen tonsil. Am hoping that's normal for a cold? Am really struggling to rest because of it.