Okay...I'm seeking your "cures" and "treatments"...

@rx4life (1930)
United States
March 10, 2007 12:33am CST
because as of this evening I not only have the barking seal cough ( I sound exactly like one) but now I have pluged up nose and ears and feel awful.. I was at the doctor the other day and she said I had a "post viral cough" as I had just had a cold 2 weeks ago.. so she assumed this was an inflammation in my bronchial passages from the "old cold".. I am wondering how many of you out there have wonderful home remedies for chest congestion....I usually use a product called Umcka to ward off these nasty viruses...but this one snuck up and hit me full force without warning...So what do you do? Steam? Cool air humidifier?...special herbs? I am really wanting this to be relieved and I am sure some of you have the answer!!!! I'm ready....cough, cough, sneeze...
4 people like this
10 responses
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
11 Mar 07
I remember garlic as one of the most common anti-biotic, so I think garlic with honey will help you. Crush 2 cloves of garlic, extract it's juice and mix honey in a tablespoon. And also honey as one of the most natural supplement.. There's also calamansi, which is good for your coughing. Try it's juice, and again, mix in some honey in a tablespoon. With this, I guess is all natural, so I don't think that there's any dosage needed for you to take.
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
11 Mar 07
Try some fruits rich with Vitamin C, calamansi is also of those fruits. If you cannot find calamansi, lemon would be a good substitute for it. For colds, try some onion soups. This is what most europeans prescribe for treating colds..
1 person likes this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
11 Mar 07
I will have to look up calamansi...haven't heard of it but am always interested in alternative medicines...I wish I could use the garlic mixture..but as I said above...I have a very bad reaction to garlic...Thank you for taking the time to help me with my ailment!!!
1 person likes this
• Canada
11 Mar 07
Clogged nose is quite irritating. the best thing for improvement of nasal passage is the ventillation. boil water & put i in the pan & make sure it's smoking, be careful not to burn yourself though. put salt in it. iodized or not will do. put some mint vapor rub if you have some. get a towel, position your head over the pan but not too close as to burn your face from steam. just a reasonable distance as to feel steam on your face. cover entire head with towel & try breathing on the steam. salt clean the clogginess & mint vapor adds a little help on it. for coughing. i guess you take an over the counter buckleys mint syrup, but ask your doctor first. or boil water & put ginger & garlic add a little sugar on it. french onion soup or chicken soup always makes me feel better too. & get some rest & if possible isolate yourself so as not to infect other people. get well soon.
3 people like this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
11 Mar 07
I have been using the steam and it helps alot..chicken soup has been the menu of the day!!!! Rest is coming soon...I appreciate your input and your concern...thanks so much :)
1 person likes this
@Jellen (1852)
• United States
11 Mar 07
Raw garlic seems to cure lots of things. If you could stand it and others could stand you, it might do just the trick.
3 people like this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
11 Mar 07
It works for most...has great health benefits..I just happen to be rather "allergic" to it...in a weird way...but I believe in it's powers for those "normal" people out there,..LOL
2 people like this
@wmg2006 (5381)
• United States
11 Mar 07
Bless your heart. I hate the kind of colds that just will not let go. A humidifier is a must! I take just plain aspirin which tends to break any kind of fever that tries to creep up, also hot broth of chicken soup. the steam from the soup will help unclog things, but the humidfier seems to work best. Get lots of rest and drink lots of liquids. A butterfinger always helps me too for some odd reason. LOL
3 people like this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
11 Mar 07
Iam sipping hot tea and hot chicken soup as I post!! The humidifier is my downfall...I haven't replaced mine and boy could I use it today...May send my husband out for an errand and pick one up for me...I usually bounce back fairly quickly...so am hoping for a quick turn around...now that Butterfinger therapy is really worth looking into!!!!!LOL:)
2 people like this
@kurtbiewald (2625)
• United States
11 Mar 07
take like 5 grams of vitamin C chicken soup warn liquids then get warm any way you can, a suana for a few hours is best, a hot bath or heating bad might work
3 people like this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
11 Mar 07
You are right about the vitamin c...I have bumped mine up...and oh for a sauna..have to create my own version in my bathtub...but a real sauna would for sure make this thing break up!!! And I have sipped on chicken soup and hot tea all afternoon...Thanks for the advice...I actually am feeling a smidge better in the last hour...hoping it is a trend!!!! :)
2 people like this
@swlbilly (34)
• Malaysia
11 Mar 07
drink lots of water and rest well~~don't think too much..relax..make ur life easier and happier~~
3 people like this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
11 Mar 07
Thank you..I love the don't think too much part...I believe in treating the whole body..not just the ailment...and you just might have a good suggestion there!!! ( Although there are those that would say I already don't think enough!!!!LOL LOL LOL)
2 people like this
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
10 Mar 07
The herb Echinacea is one of the most well known herb that dr Vogel found visiting American Indians many years ago. It is best taken in the beginning of the cold though. Garlic is one of the most efficient helpers and I often cut slices of it into a vegetable soup, it helps even as cooked. Before going to sleep, take an onion - cut a slice of it and leave it on the table while you sleep. Next night, just cut another slice and you will sleep much better when you breathe in the goodies from the onion. I hope you like the smell.[:o) For long term preventive treatment, to boost your immunity, you could take the same food supplements that I do. Please check my profile for more information.
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
16 Mar 07
OK, I am going to tell you about one of the most efficient food supplements that has been tested in the USA some ten years ago. It is called Carotenoid Complex and has been proven to increase the immunity 37% compared with synthetic beta caroten that did not work at all. You can read about it at www.carotenoidcomplex.com or www.gnld.com and it is even more interesting that the new Carotenoid Complex is eight times stronger than the one used in the test. It has lots of health benefits and is part of the supplements I take daily. I used to have asthma before but it is almost gone so it seems to be working well. Please contact me if you wish to know more. I hope you find some help to increase your immunity.
1 person likes this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
16 Mar 07
Thank you again for the information..I am seeing a well known naturopath and herbalist for my immune system disorder but I will keep you product in mind. :)
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
11 Mar 07
Echinacea is a great deterrent for colds and viruses ...and garlic is touted as a great food for health benefits...however...my unfortunate auto-immune disease is triggered somehow by garlic and sends me into an attack..the naturopath was even shocked to see that it could have such an effect on me...my family and friends love garlic...so I am a very careful eater around them...I had to have my immune system supressed last fall due to my intense auto immune reaction...I don't think it has returned to it's old self yet!!! Love the onion idea...I'll see how well my husband can tolerate that!!!! I believe onions are really good for us!!! Thanks for the informative and considerate post!!
2 people like this
• United States
10 Mar 07
I have a few that REALLY work. ~Blend about an ounce of natural aloe into a lemon and honey mix. 1-2 tablespoon(s) of rum per cup of mix (optional). Shake well for a minute or so and let sit in the fridge for about an hour. Shake well before each use. Store in the fridge. ~Scott's Emulsion (pharmacy). Awesome medicine. ~Respiratory therapy with Proventile diluted with saline solution (like the one administered to asthma patients). Ask your doctor about this. My daughter was 6 months old when she was treated with this but not for asthma. She had respiratory problems due to a REALLY bad cough. It helps loosen the phlegm. Good luck and hope you get all better very soon!!!!
3 people like this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
11 Mar 07
The Proventil is great for those that can use it...but I happen to be allergic..it makes my lips and tongue swell...The Scott's emulsion sounds interesting...I am checking into it...Thanks for responding...I use the aloe/honey...just not the rum :)
2 people like this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
10 Mar 07
I'd recommend lots of steam...sit in the bathroom with the hot water running in the shower or bring water to a boil in a large pot, remove from stove, and drape a towel over it and your head. For a drink that will help try honey tea. Just put a tablespoon or two of honey (more or less to taste)in a regular cup of hot tea. Breathing in through your nose each time you bring the cup to your mouth will give you an extra boost of steam.
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@rx4life (1930)
• United States
11 Mar 07
HOt tea got me through the night..and yes...I've steamed up the whole house!!! I'm off for a cup of tea now..slippery elm tea for the throat...Thanks for the help :)
2 people like this
@paidreader (5143)
• United States
11 Mar 07
First let me say I'm sorry you're feeling so bad, I was in a similar condition at the end of last year. The cough was pretty bad, but I worsened it when I was moving my daughters stuff from storage. The extra dust & the strain of moving everything had me coughing so bad I pulled a muscle. I had tried several of the remedies you've received so far with no luck. I eventually tried mucinexDM with very good results. It did take time for the medicine to get rid of the congestion completely, but each dose lasted for 12 hours and did give very fast relief from all the mucus. Within 30 minutes of taking a dose I could breath freely again. It took over 2 months to heal the pulled muscle, (felt more like a broken rib), but I don't think I would have made it that long if the mucinex hadn't stopped the coughing and got rid of the congestion. I know this isn't a natural cure but you might check with your doctor to see if it would help you.
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@rx4life (1930)
• United States
11 Mar 07
The Mucinex did help...but evidently this is more bronchial and the spasms in my bronchial tubes are pretty intense... I will continue the Mucinex for the "cold"...and congestion..but am seeing the doctor tomorrow as I now have a fever and lots of coughing spasms that are not quieted by any remedy yet.....I took 2 of them last night and drank a ton of water..which is very important when you take that medication!!! today I'm back at hot tea, steam sessions, Mucinex and cough medicine...good heavens I feel like an invalid..!!!!
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Mar 07
LOL, Another example of great minds thinking alike. ;D The pulled muscle was very painful even to just breath, but every time I'd cough, I swear, it felt like I was puncturing a lung. It didn't help to come home & decorate for the whole family to come to our house for Christmas. And you Know hubby wasn't in the bathrooms scrubbing! lol A heat pack and the mucinex worked wonders for me. They should be back soon, so I hope you'll be feeling better real soon, my friend. PS. you can take more than 1 but no more than 2 if it's really bad.
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