The next time I complain about having a cold
@GardenGerty (160663)
United States
April 9, 2011 6:14pm CST
Somebody please remind me what a good natural remedy horseradish is for congestion. I have not wanted to eat, and have not felt like eating for several days. I have had a temperature up to 102. I have taken mucus relief medicines, antihistamines, fever reducers, pain killers, decongestants, and I have slept a lot. Drank plenty of fluids. Had hubby go get me a Coke, as that is a remedy the doctor would prescribe when I was a little one, Coke syrup from the drug store soda fountain. After drinking that, I got hungry. I ate some hot dogs with horseradish mustard and some baked beans. First things I could actually taste in days. Boy, that horseradish opened up my sinuses.I have been chewing on candied ginger to stop my cough when I could not take any more medicine, but I think it is time for me to go eat horseradish on something else now. I guess I forget what to do because it has been a long time since I had a bad cold or ran a fever. I know I have seen a lot of my friends complaining of colds, I guess it is just that time of year. This one will probably last at least a week, Do your colds last that long?
10 people like this
31 responses
@celticeagle (166911)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Apr 11
My cold lasted about two weeks from beginning to end. I like honey lemon and even add alittle whiskey if I have it. My mom used to fix this for me. Irish concoction. It is served warm. I really enjoy it. I hadn't heard of horseradish but it makes sense. I know chinese mustard does the trick for me! I love horseradish though!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
I think Chinese mustard has horseradish in it, or wasabi, or both.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
I have seen them in the store but have not tried them yet.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166911)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Apr 11
Could be. Have you ever had wasabi peas? SO good!
2 people like this
@neenie (343)
• United States
10 Apr 11
I've had a bad cold/sinus problem for the past few days and I think I'm going to try this. I don't think I like horseradish though, is there any thing I could put it on that would be easy to eat? Any ideas anyone?
I'll have to tell everyone how this works!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
Where I first read about this said if you do not like to eat it, just breathe the fumes off of it. What I ate today was in a sweet mustard, but it still made my eyes water. It also cleared my sinuses. It is good with sausages, or I ate mine with beans and wieners.
1 person likes this
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
10 Apr 11
What I do, is like the buckley's commercial, It Tastes Awful, AND it works. Garlic and Horseradish, with a touch of roast beef, in a little sandwich, LOTS of horseradish, lots of garlic, eye water, pain in the mouth from time to time, so worth it though, keep a kleenex handy to be sure, my nose just starts pouring and I can breathe after.
Or just a tablespoon of horseradish, if I am in a hurry.
2 people like this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
10 Apr 11
Sorry to hear that you have been sick, hope it gets gone quickly for you. The last time I was sick was just over a month ago. I had a sore throat for over a week and a cough for close to a month. I took everything too. Put Vicks on my chest, that darn old cough just hung on and on. Happy to say I am over it now. Didn't really feel all that bad, just that darn old cough. When my throat was sore it was really sore. Really didn't have a stuffy head or nose with it. Tis the season. Now with spring, spring allergies will be kickin up. Horseradish will clear you up real quick, lol.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
This started with a sore throat, and if I had gotten some fresh pineapple I might have knocked it out. That is an excellent cure for a sore throat.
2 people like this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
10 Apr 11
Luckily I am not prone to catching a cold but when it happens, I always remember something my grandmother told me which is so true. She would insist that a cold lasts nine days - three to come. three to stay and three to go. Once I feel that tickling sensation and start sneezing then I count those nine days and sure enough, until they are over I am stuck with it. By counting them first I also get less stressed about having it and seem to put up with it better.
If you have had a temperature then surely it was something a bit more than just a common cold and an infection had set in somewhere? 
I have never used horseradish and will bear that in mind next time (hoping it will be a long time from now lol)
Good to hear that you are now getting over it! 
I have never used horseradish and will bear that in mind next time (hoping it will be a long time from now lol)
Good to hear that you are now getting over it! 2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
Oh, I would guess it was a sinus infection. I did not mention that I also started using my nasal saline spray a lot to help too. I feel that by Tuesday (one week) if I have no fever I will not be contagious, and by Friday it will be day ten and we have plans for that weekend to visit family because it is Easter. I think they usually said here "If you treat a cold it will last ten days. Untreated, you will have it for a week and a half." Very much like your grandmother's nine days.
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
10 Apr 11
Hi, GG....I did a bit of looking around on the web about horseradish as a remedy for various ailments. The processed kind in the jar is used for clearing out the sinuses. There were recommendations for using the horseradish root itself for other things. Making a poltice to place on the skin for reducing infection to wounds was mentioned I think. It said to never put the horseradish itself on the skin as this will cause burns.
I have a jar in my 'fridge that I use to make cocktail sauces and eat with corned beef. I'll keep your usage in mind for when I have my next cold and sinus problems. Haven't had a cold or the flu for years now but just talking about it here will probably bring it on. You know how those things go. Don't have any wood to knock on. 
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
I think that after a while that in the jar loses some strength, but that is the kind I am talking about. We had a fresh jar of locally made horseradish mustard and it sure did the trick. It has been about six years since I have been this sick.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
10 Apr 11
so sorry, GG, guess i'll have to try and remember that. my grandmother used to say eat an onion sandwich, but who can do that? yuck
then, my mom would make me drink a hot toddy. burned all the way down. uuuggghh! when i get a cold i have to really jump on it these days as i have that emphezema. i hope you get better soon. hugs, bon@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
This started out with allergy symptoms and just got all worse. At least today food tastes decent. I am going to wish you a better night tonight and the sweetest of dreams as well. What are they going to do about your rotator cuff?
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
10 Apr 11
i dont know. they was supposed to call about who id be referred to by friday, but didnt. got to call them monday i guess. 
2 people like this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
10 Apr 11
I usually don't get bad colds, but they usually hang on for awhile. I take echinacea, use Vicks and drink lots of water and hot tea. I don't remember the last time I was very sick with a virus.
The way to get cleared up with horseradish is to get a chunk of the root and process it in a food processor or good blender, then take a whiff of it. You won't want to breathe too deeply, it can actually be dangerous because it's very strong that way.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
The last time I had anything that felt this bad I did not have fever, but I got so congested and inflamed the doctor put me on steroids to clear it up and a strong antibiotic. I tested negative for strep and for flu at that time. That has been at least five years ago. I kept going to work and doing all my usual stuff and I am sure that is why it got so bad. Now I know to rest when I need to.
@kareng (59107)
• United States
10 Apr 11
Oh wow, that is amazng that horseradish really helps you. I sure hope that I remember this the next time I get a bad cold! It seems like everyone here in (Louisiana) has been sick the whole winter with bad colds and viruses. The last one I had turned into a bronchial infection and hung on for about 4 weeks before I was totally over it. Hope you feel better soon!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
I have not seen you in awhile friend. 
Yes, I had read in Prevention magazine a few years ago that even if you do not like to eat it, breathing it will even help. 
There were a lot of other hints as well. I hope you stay well now.
Yes, I had read in Prevention magazine a few years ago that even if you do not like to eat it, breathing it will even help. There were a lot of other hints as well. I hope you stay well now.1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
Well, the good thing is I have lost 3.5 pounds in the last two days.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
10 Apr 11
Well, I just LOVE horseradish and Wasabi and all that good stuff and especially candied ginger, especially dark chocolate ginger, and FRESH ginger, and garlic and yums. But I do not get many colds, and especially not living here in southern California (and Arizona, as I live in what we call the Tri-State area part of the year)--It did SNOW on me yesterday though. I stepped out of the sun into the bowling lanes and played 4 games and when I came out I thought that was rain on my sweater, but when I got into the car I looked down and saw white stuff all over me. It melted fast, of course.
I do take astragalus and vitamin C and zinc for prevention in the winter, so I think that is why I do not catch things that other people get. But then, too, it has been some years since I went anywhere that the temperature gets much below 40 F. I think I had a cold 5 or 6 years ago.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
I am more likely to catch cold this time of year than any other. I am sure it is all the delicious pollen in the air, that later becomes fruit on the trees, etc. I do believe that we eat to our health and wellness, and I am on my way down to eat a breakfast hubby has prepared, with more horse radish.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
10 Apr 11
Oh yeah, and the freshest, the hotter too...I remember last Passover when I had just bought a fresh jar of horseradish, and my husband took a big spoonful to put on his matzo... His eyes started watering and we all started laughing...It was good though and too bad I didn't remember that last week when I had an awful sinus headache. I took a hot shower and ate spicy Mexican food, but nothing helped..So I'll remind you, if you remind me...
His eyes started watering and we all started laughing...It was good though and too bad I didn't remember that last week when I had an awful sinus headache. I took a hot shower and ate spicy Mexican food, but nothing helped..So I'll remind you, if you remind me...@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
We had just recently bought some horseradish mustard that is made locally and it must be very fresh. Before I learned to eat it, I read that you only have to breathe it to clear up. This is the eye watering kind that we have.
2 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
10 Apr 11
hI GG, Sorry u are feeling bad. Hope u feel better soon. Sounds like u are doing all the right things. I think they just have to run their course. I haven't had a cold or a sinus infection in forever, knock on wood. I think getting out of the beauty shop helped both of them.i do have COPD but that doesn't stop my head up. Hope u have a good rest of the weekend.
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
Don't jinx yourself now.I hope you would enjoy something a little spicy at the first sign of symptoms.
1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
10 Apr 11
GG so sorry to hear of your cold, I really feel for you because when I get sick it lasts for ever. Oddly too that when I get sick, first two days starts out with a head cold and congestion. Then it moves into my chest. Once there I am wreck.
I can be sick for 3 - 4 weeks at a time and wie;rd how when I start to feel better for a couple days the head congestion comes back again. Like a cycle for a couple months. I did not know about the candied ginger to stop cough, will have to try that one. I hope you got plenty of rest and don't over do it so there is no relapse. Has to be the weather changes because many are complaining these days and all from different countries who are experience odd weather these days.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
I think it was a combination of things. I went out of state, and their 'spring' is further along than ours. We had a family stressor or two there, and then a serious problem with my great niece when I came back. I got a sore throat and it was downhill from there. I am taking it easy, no gym, no shopping, no nothing since Tuesday. It is getting boring, so I must be feeling better.
@Oldsix691418 (3872)
• China
10 Apr 11
Each time when I got a cold,it had lasted more than one week before I recovered,and the coughing lasted as long as nearly two weeks.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
I am usually pretty healthy. The last cold I had only lasted about three days. That is unusual, most books say ten days is average. I think the reason mine are usually short is because I usually eat spicy and flavorful foods and use essential oils to help clear my congestion. I know what you mean about the cough lasting so long, though, because my chest and back both hurt a lot. I had a friend who broke her ribs coughing.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
15 Apr 11
Touch wood, I have not had a cold since I left work just over 7 years ago. The natural remedies are great, things like honey and lemon, chilli can go in that mix too as it brings out the fever. Garlic is great, as much as you can eat. Chicken soup is also proven to be most beneficial in the relief of colds but I'm afraid i cannot remember why.
I also like good old Vicks rubbed on my chest before bed.
My big thing these days is hayfever with symptoms similar to those of a cold. I get the beginning of a sore throat, blocked sinuses, headaches and sneezes with aching joints to boot....the latter may be something else though. I just wish it would go away.
Getting older is certainly not for cissies.
Hope you are feeling better.
Hope you are feeling better.1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
15 Apr 11
If you are not around people to catch a cold from I am sure you are healthier. I think this started with allergy type symptoms, but it got much worse.
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@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
11 Apr 11
My younger sister got it, in her late teens early twenties. Of course it was made worse by my mom and older sister smoking with her in the car, windows closed.
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@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
11 Apr 11
Thankfully I have never had bronchitis.
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@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Apr 11
And sinus congesstion, chili peppers.
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@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
25 Apr 11
I need to step up my consumption of spicy foods again. I love them, and they love me. Eating for health is so helpful.
@TazRes (827)
• United States
10 Apr 11
Hello GardenGerty, Usually when I get a cold it lasts anywhere from a week to a week and a half, but I was just thinking to myself the other day, that so far I have not had a cold this year. I Pray you feel better soon. Blessings...?
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 Apr 11
Thanks TazRes, it is the thought that counts. It has been a really long time since I have had something that caused me to run a fever. It will get better, I can tell that I am better, but I want it gone now, as I feel very cooped up, not going anywhere.
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
14 Apr 11
I hope you are feeling better. Thanks for the suggestion I will try to remember that thought I don't care for the stuff... it's too strong for me. But we've been fighting a cold/cough bug for close to 2 months a person coughs so hard they sometimes vomit. Hubby was recently to the Dr so I had him ask about it and the Dr said to let it run it's course. It's a very very long course I tell you!
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@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
15 Apr 11
That is what seems to be left of my cold, a nasty cough. I completely tossed my coffee yesterday. I feel better, but was cranky this morning. I am much better now.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
15 Apr 11
All the cold really was to begin with for us was sinus like feeling drainage in your throat wich then got yucky from there on out. Ironically hubby tossed his coffee this morning... that was quite a mess to clean up. He doesn't seem to want to eat much cause he's had the cough the worst... you know fine all day til the cough hits and then awful for a few minutes til it stops.
@jennyze (7028)
• Indonesia
11 Apr 11
I've been having cold too last week, I only went to sleep a lot and eat regularly. I did not take any pills, I just had a tea spoonful of honey every morning. It ay not the medicine for cold, but to my thinking it is good for the body especially when ill.
I hope Indonesia have horseradish, that we can all benefit from it when getting cold.
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@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
14 Apr 11
Honey is very good for you, and it soothes the cough. I imagine Indonesia has some really savory spices and herbs that will help with a cold.
