Hit me with your best chesty cold beating strategies!

[EduCated]

It’s my own fault, i was smug that I hadn’t caught DH’s bugger of a cold, and now it seems to have hit me full whack today. Chest is tight and rattling on some coughs, tired and achey, and generally bleurgh.

Determined to beat it, not least because I’m on holiday in a week and I do not want to be ill for it (DH has been rough a good 10 days).

What can I do to help it on its way?

Hot pack on your chest. Really helps. (The original tip was for a cooked, hot jacket potatoe on chest. An old Lithuanian trick apparently. I just modernised it). Really helped.

Vicks rub too. My mum swore you should place on soles of feet too. No idea if this is effective but i always do it!!

Ooh will try the hot pack! Have put a little dish of olbas oil on the radiator, but Vicks is a good shout too.

Hot steamy showers. Cough like a bastard while you're in there. Steam helps clear my lungs. And Vicks! Or olbas oil.

Cutting out dairy is meant to be good for mucus and phlegm, but I haven't tried it. Inhaling a steamy bowl of hot water with eucalyptus with a towel over your head is what my dm used to do when I was little. That certainly helped clear sinuses and chestiness.

Otherwise, I use Nurofen Cold and Flu, but the pharmacist should check if it clashes with other medications you're taking.

Good luck. I've had 3 colds already this winter and I usually hardly have any.

Right, hot pack in the microwave. Sloshed some more olbas oil in the dish, and will have a steamy shower before bed.

Keep it coming, determined not to let it win

Ginger is brilliant for coughs and chest problems - I make up a flask of grated or chopped ginger, lemon and honey, and sip it regularly - like every 10 mins or so.

Have you got a cool mist humidifier/ vaporiser? They make a massive difference to a chesty cough

When you're better you can add essential oils etc and enjoy it anyway

InnoGear 150ml Essential Oil Diffuser Cool Mist Humidifiers Ultrasonic Aroma Aromatherapy Diffusers with 7 Changeable Colored LED Lights, Adjustable Mist Mode and Waterless Automatically Shut-off https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N6NOWRB/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_dH0vCb6EP3DRG

Covonia to drink. Vicks on your feet and chest.

vicks slathered on thick on your chest and under your boobs, also your from shoulders down to bottom of the lungs on your back. does the job ever time.

it's a bit sticky mind

Strawberries. I hate them but there's something about them that makes me get rid of this stuff quicker.

Vicks, lemon, ginger and strawberries on the shopping list for tomorrow! Will have a look at humidifiers too.

Got the heatpack on and it feels luuurvley.

Manuka honey, and saline nasal spray - clears everything out

Thyme is supposed to be very good

This has Thyme & Liquorice in it. It's quite potent

Um, what do you do with it, Foot?

I drink about 20 drops 4 times a day
Have some water to sip after 😉

www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/a-vogel-bronchoforce-chesty-cough-ivy-complex-oral-drops-60042907

Sounds vile! Needs must, though...

If you end up with a lingering and irritating cough, Jakeman’s cough sweets are great :)

In addition to everything already mentioned,
chicken soup
Take a couple of days off work if possible to rest up and get better
Drink lots of liquids, blackcurrant squash is one of my faves if i have a cold.

Are you going somewhere hot?

Cut out dairy and have lots of chicken soup with garlic (and ginger too)
I base mine on Jamie Oliver’s but don’t make the balls.

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/jewish-penicillin/

I mean I don’t make the balls. I’m not telling you not to.

YY to Jakemans...the only cough sweets that don't make my tongue feel like I've been licking sandpaper.

Also Covonia Original - 2tsp in a mug with fresh lemon or cordial, honey and hot water (and a shot of brandy at bedtime).