anyone have any natural remedies

Roobi · #1 14-10-2010, 03:52 PM

anyone have any natural remedies for a cold and stuffy nose. I've had bronchitis for 2 wks now (first time ever) and have my nearly three yr old to look after. I wouldn't mind so much if i wasn't so damn exhasted, hence how many posts i've ben doing lately, sitting my butt in front of the comp and not moving too much.

It does't seem like the antibiotics the doctors given me are working, so i'm just wondering if anyone has any old remedies that might help make me feel a little better.

Cheers guys

pgc hunter · #2 14-10-2010, 04:30 PM

Rubbing Eucalyptus oil or those Vicks creams under your nose is apparently meant to help blocked noses. I tried the Eucalyptus oil and it seems to provide some very mild short lived relief, but certainly won't get rid of the symptoms.

Medicines, drops, lozenges etc all seem to do next to nothing for blocked noses, in my case anyway, unfortunately the only thing you can do is wait it out.

AstralTraveller (David) · #3 14-10-2010, 04:40 PM

If it's a viral infection antibiotics won't do a thing. Tablets to relieve the symptoms help a bit but rest, rest and more rest is the only thing that really works.

AdrianF (Adrian) · #4 14-10-2010, 05:27 PM

Sabuncol from the chemist. It's elderberry juice in a capsule. I had the flu coming on took 2 capsules for 3'days and the flu never developed properly.

Adrian

adman (Adam) · #5 14-10-2010, 05:32 PM

zinc and vitamin c combination has been shown to decrease the average duration of symptoms from a cold.

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #6 14-10-2010, 05:34 PM

rub with Vicks on the back and chest, and the soles of the feet when going to bed

vicks on the chest during the day helps the airways

vicks in a bowl of hot water - towel over your head (and the bowl) and inhale for a couple of minutes

geoff

Roobi · #7 14-10-2010, 05:44 PM

cheers for the replies guys, i'l certainly try anything i can at this stage, trying to keep a young one occupied while i'm spaced out on the couch is difficult. Thank god for play doh lol.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #8 14-10-2010, 07:04 PM

I'm with Geoff....
a couple of table spoons of vicks in a bowl of boiling water, towel over the head and inhale.

GrahamL · #9 14-10-2010, 08:48 PM

Quote:

It does't seem like the antibiotics the doctors given me are working

I'd go back to your Doctor first, your still very unwell by the sounds .

Roobi · #10 14-10-2010, 08:54 PM

yeah, i went back yesterday and got the second course, so hopefully these will do the trick, in the meantime i'l try the eucalyptus or vicks on my chest. apparently with bronchitis i'm not supposed to be breathing in steam, no the inhaling is a no go for now, but i normally swear by it.

cheers again, having this to read is making me feel better.

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #11 14-10-2010, 09:15 PM

jjj - what was the sulphur in the hot water bowl one for ?

was that for bronchitis ?

i guess that is the modern day antibiotic course

geoff

Glenhuon (Bill) · #12 14-10-2010, 11:08 PM

As the doc once told me, the antibiotics are only to prevent secondary infections, they don't help the viral symptoms. I'm afraid you are gonna have to let the body fight that. Plenty rest (difficult with a little one to look after) and lots of warmth and fluids to help the body do its stuff.
The Vicks is good, takes the misery out of the stuffy nose etc.
Get well soon.

Suzy · #13 14-10-2010, 11:25 PM

Once I had a sinus infection, my nose was so stuffed up and painful sinuses - those vicks nasal sprays tho worked temporarily just seemed to prolong the illness, the same with Polarimine. Went back to chemist in last desperate bid to get help, and he suggested, and I've never looked back, on this: Sterimar "Sea Water Nasal Spray. Cheaps as chips and incredible effective. You just spray the nozzle up into your nose and it brings down all that mucus straight away. Do it many times a dayl. Even with hayfever it has been helpful. And, it's natural! As it's so cheap, give it a go and see how it works for you- got nothing to lose.

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #14 14-10-2010, 11:34 PM

salt water Suzy - salt water

get the bikini on and go for a dip - same result

geoff

wavelandscott (Scott) · #15 14-10-2010, 11:36 PM

I too am a big fan (and user) of the Vicks products...rubbed on chest, throat and under the nose.

The saline nasal spray does help "clean things out"...not sure if it is available in Australia or not but there is a nose spray called Afrin here in the USA...works a champ but is pretty strong don't use it more than a few days in a row.

As others have said sleep, sleep and more sleep...

Hope you get to feeling better soon!

Roobi · #16 14-10-2010, 11:48 PM

thanx heaps for the kind words and suggestions guys. I'll definatly be trying some if not all of them. The salt water one sounds like an idea, think il try that first.

cheers.

Suzy · #17 15-10-2010, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTB_an_Owl

salt water Suzy - salt water
get the bikini on and go for a dip - same result
geoff

It's too blinking cold!

And freezer suits do not go with bikinis - wrong on every level.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelandscott

The saline nasal spray does help "clean things out"...not sure if it is available in Australia or not but there is a nose spray called Afrin here in the USA...works a champ but is pretty strong don't use it more than a few days in a row.

Roobi, the brand I quoted is sold here in Australia - very easy to get. Being Sea Water (okay, porchy-er term for salt water

), you can spray away as much as you like.

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #18 15-10-2010, 01:56 AM

ah but you see Suzy - bikini's DO go with freezer suits

thats all you need to wear under them, they are that warm

but getting back on topic - i had a bit of a search on remedies for the common cold, and there sure were some i had never heard of

gouge out the top of an onion - fill it full of sugar - when the sugar melts - drink the liquid

another was to boil an onion in milk - strain and drink i think

geoff

pgc hunter · #19 15-10-2010, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

Once I had a sinus infection, my nose was so stuffed up and painful sinuses - those vicks nasal sprays tho worked temporarily just seemed to prolong the illness, the same with Polarimine. Went back to chemist in last desperate bid to get help, and he suggested, and I've never looked back, on this: Sterimar "Sea Water Nasal Spray. Cheaps as chips and incredible effective. You just spray the nozzle up into your nose and it brings down all that mucus straight away. Do it many times a dayl. Even with hayfever it has been helpful. And, it's natural! As it's so cheap, give it a go and see how it works for you- got nothing to lose.

I'm terrified of nasal sprays lol

One trick that is almost guaranteed to work is..... grind up some raw horse radish, take a big whifff of it or consume it...while rather unpleasant, it'll get all those boogers out big time! It's only temporary relief though. I learnt this the hard way...one day, when I was about 10, my parents were making horse radish...and being an inquisitive child I took a massive whif of the freshly grinded stuff........ it freakin almost killed me, and I'm still scared of it..12 years later I still won't put my nose anywhere near fresh horseradish lol

but I tell ya, snot has no chance against it

ZeroID (Brent) · #20 15-10-2010, 07:58 AM

Ok, the Vicks is good stuff, also is the Salt Water Nasal spray and if you make your own or check with the chemist you can get it isotonic ie same salt level as your body fluids and it is totally harmless and does not burn the skin or sensitive nasal lining like real salt water can if it is too strong.

My other favoured 'remedy' is honey. Preferably mixed with Hot Water, Lemon Juice, Tspn of brown sugar, a shot of whisky, and 2 soluble aspirin. Nice big mug of that, use about 2 tablespoons of Honey.
Honey and lemon helps the throat, nose, general congestion. Sugar, Whisky gives you an energy kick and the Aspirin sorts out the head and aches and pains. I won't say it will cure you but you certainly feel a lot better !!