Here Are Some Ways To Soothe A Cold
Here are some ways to soothe a cold. It seems like everywhere I go, someone is coughing, sneezing, and sniffling. It’s that time of year. Is it a cold or allergies? My voice sounds raspy, but I’m not sick. It’s that time of the year, sinus and congestion issues.
You know when we have holidays and we have family or friends coming from different cities or states they sometimes bring a sniffle or two with them. Or we have the sniffles, right? It’s life and we love getting together.
Over Thanksgiving, our son-in-law came down with a cold when they arrived here for the holiday, but no one else in the house got it. Then a week later we were getting ready to head up north to visit some family and Mark got a cold with a cough just as we were leaving.
I will share what I do for colds, but it may or may not work for you and your family. I’m not a doctor, nurse, or anyone in the medical field. We know what is right for our families. Mark and I rarely go to the doctor, but there are times we must all visit a physician. I get it.
I will also share ideas to keep from getting a cold, or at least try not to get one. If you are flying in an airplane I suggest you wear some N-95 Masks. I’m sure my husband, Mark wouldn’t wear one, but I will.
How To Soothe A Cold
- Wash your hands.
- Stay hydrated with good clean water.
- Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Stay away from fast food and empty calories.
- Always use those wet wipes available at your local grocery store to wipe down the handle of the carts.
- When you get home from the store, place those grocery bags on the floor. Those carts are a bacteria haven. If you must put them on the counter clean the area where you place them after you empty the bags. Who knows what’s on those grocery carts? I’m starting to sound a little OCD, I own it.
- Please use Clorox or Lysol wipes on your light switches, phones, remotes, etc. at home. They harbor so many bacteria. I know some people are against using bleach, but I’m not.
- I visit the hospital probably a little more than the normal person does so I can check in on people from our neighborhood, not because I’m a patient. Thank goodness for those hanging hand sanitizer machines. I use them going in and going out. I even have a bottle in my car. You may think I’m a clean freak, but I’m thinking I am too. LOL! Oh well, that’s how I roll.
- Wash your hands, yes, I’ve already said that. It’s critical to have clean hands.
- My favorite drink to clear congestion in my throat is warm water with Organic Green Tea, Raw-Pure Honey, and lemon juice. I buy Santa Cruz Organic Pure Lemon Juice. It’s too expensive on Amazon, you can buy it at your local grocery stores. Of course, freshly squeezed lemons would be awesome, too. Cox’s Honey from Shelley, Idaho.
- I use Throat Lozenges, they are not too strong in flavor and contain silver, which I love.
- I use doTerra “Breathe” essential oil all the time.
- I love doTerra “Wintergreen” essential oil as well.
- Have you tried their “Eucalyptus” essential oil? I love it.
- I have a diffuser going almost every day at my house.
- I have a warm vaporizer I use to keep the room humidified. It’s cheap but it works. Vicks Warm Vaporizer
- Have you ever used a Neti Pot? They clean out your sinus cavities. Please be sure and use clean water.
- Make a pot of good old-fashioned chicken noodle soup. Chicken Noodle Soup by Linda
- Make a pot of chicken and rice soup (thank you, Patricia). Use my recipe above with cooked rice instead of pasta.
- Rest, sip on a warm drink, curled up in a blanket, sounds awesome, doesn’t it?
- Keep your over-the-counter cold remedies or cough syrups rotated. If we have a power outage, you may be out of luck getting some of the ones you need.
- Some people like nasal sprays, I know I do. I buy Nasacort at Costco.
- Please rotate your fever-reducer products if you use them. You may need some when the pharmacies are closed.
- Thermometers may be needed.
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, especially if you are coughing and sneezing.
- Keep a good supply of cloth hankies or tissues for wiping our noses. They would be great to help cut down on the virus or bacteria floating in the air.
- If you can stay home, please stay home, let’s cut down on sickness in the daycare centers, churches, schools, and the workplace.
- Please rest and stay hydrated
- Vicks VapoRub (thank you, Patricia)
Stock Up On Cold Remedies
Thanks again for being prepared for the unexpected. If we lose power from a disaster or unforeseen emergency you will be glad you stocked up on your favorite old remedies. Make a list and stock your cold kit. May God bless this world, Linda
“Prepare Your Family For Survival” by Linda Loosli
I just got over the flu and I used many of the home cold remedies you suggested. The one thing I used that you didn’t list was mint tea with honey. Mint tea helps with stomach issues, breathing in the hot mint steam between sips helps with congestion. and honey is soothing, aids in quieting coughs, is a powerful antioxidant, and it’s antibacterial. A couple of things to note on mint tea with honey… first, if drinking it mainly to alleviate an upset stomach, don’t drink more than one cup every four to six hours. If you drink too much at one time, it may have the opposite effect and make your stomach issues worse. Linda, I know you know this, but for anyone who doesn’t, for the honey, always use raw natural honey, rather than the honey flavored corn syrup often passed off as honey in the grocery stores. Linda and I both get our honey from Cox’s Honey.
Great and timely list my friend!
Big hugs, Mare
Oh, Mare, sorry to hear you are better!! Thank you for the tip on the mint tea. I have never used mint tea. Thanks for the reminder on the honey. Yes, I only buy raw unfiltered honey. I’m going to go add that to my list. I know a lot of people are buying what they “think” is honey. Yes, we do indeed get our honey from Cox’s honey from Shelley, Idaho. Hugs!! Linda
I get our raw honey from local honey farms here in Nebraska
Hi Tina, I love raw honey, it’s the best! Linda
This years lemon crop died on the tree, but last year it gave me 3- 5 gallon containers to squeeze, slice and dry, so I am using the dried slices dropped into a glass of water to drink, cuts the taste of the water and surely helps my throat.. I have avoided the head cold up to now but have been a bit hoarse and my throat so dry, Dr says it is from all the meds I have to take so the lemon is just part of my daily routine.. Meyer Lemons are part orange and they are so good, lost one tree this year, and it died with lemons on it.. had bad luck with fruit this year and right now the grapes are leafing out and the fig tree is loaded with little young green figs… they don’t know what season they are in, temps cold one day and up over 80 the next…
Jeanne, oh how I would love a Meyer Lemon Tree!! My daughter in California has one, oh my gosh they are so fabulous! I never thought about dehydrating the slices, I’m all over that idea, I have got to go buy some lemons today!! I love this! The weather is crazy, hot, freezing, warm, hot, cold. Don’t you just love watching for those leaves to leaf out??? I love figs! Love this idea! Linda
My husband John and I just got over the flu and we did take the flu vaccine but it was late in the season. Next year we will get the flu shot as soon as available. I am still a little old fashion. We use Vick’s Vapor rub on and around our nose and chest. Seems to keep our passages open. John also likes the Ocean Nasal Spray. The saline seems to soothe his sinuses. I also make homemade chicken noodle or chicken and rice soup it is just good for the soul. Thanks again for all the great remedies.
Hi Patricia, oh my gosh, how did I forget our beloved Vicks Vapor Rub????!!! I’m adding it right now! Chicken and rice soup is a good one as well! I’m adding both of these right now! I’m glad you and John are better. Thank you so much, Linda
Patricia, one more thing, remember the Vicks Sticks? They help you breathe. I just saw them on Amazon. I love Vicks!!! Linda
I love Doterra oils. I also buy Cox’s honey. I used to have a couple of lemon trees, but while I was staying with my mom (she had colon cancer,she’s doing great now) a couple years ago, my son forgot to bring them inside (they were potted) and they froze. I have yet to replace them. I never thought about drying the lemons. That is a wonderful idea. I gave away the excess lemons,LOL. I have hand sanitizer in my purse, car and home. I love clorox and Lysol wipes. I also made a wipe/spray with orange oil,orange peel and water for my food prep areas and where ever my 1 year old grand daughter might make contact. I try to stock up on tissues and over the counter meds when I see them on sale. I love reading your blog and posts. I always learn something new. God Bless and keep on prepping.
Hi Judy, I would love a lemon tree!!! I’m glad you mother is doing great now! I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one that likes clean hands!! LOL! Oh, we are so lucky to have grandchildren. I love just watching those little ones running around and hugging them. Oh, that age is the cutest. Well, they are all cute!!! Keep prepping my friend, God bless, Linda