safe cold remedies?

[Hopeful]

Well, after congratulating myself recently that I have had no colds this year, I got one. I blame my one day trip to NYC (5 hour bus trip from here) and walking around the city in contact with a couple of trillion strange germs! Anyways, the cold appears to be playing out as a hacking cough and that yucky head stuffed sinus feeling. Slightly feverish and achy, too. I'm on day 5 with no improvement.

Obviously, I wish to avoid doctors and antibiotics. I hunted around for a cough syrup to get me through the night. My God, but they are full of no-no ingredients! Apparently Vicks made a "Nature Fusion" (not to be confused with Dayquil/Nighquil) cough syrup that was promising, but it's no longer available.

So, anybody have some good home remedies for my symptoms? I am literally confined to sick by at present, but have an upcoming speaking engagement in a couple of days.

Help!

[Lilja]

I don't catch colds any longer, but my sister means that shewing (and swallowing) raw ginger and raw garlic does the trick. But, she doesn't have MC. Maybe this recipe is too rough?

[Hopeful]

Interesting! I have been craving ginger for a couple of days now. I'll give it a try...

[UkuleleLady]

Swallowing raw garlic works to prevent secondary infections from colds ( for me) but I seem to have a garlic sensitivity these days so I limit it. I think I overate garlic to counteract a lot of infections over the years. Seriously, garlic cost me a marriage.

I had an awful long term nasal/ bronchial viral infection I couldn't kick recently, finally started using echinacea and elderberry syrup several times a day for a few weeks. It cured the cold but I think overstimulated my immune system ( not good for us). I suspect this was partly responsible for my recent reflux trouble. Who knows, it's not like the doctors know.

[Gabes-Apg]

Throat - gargle liquid Vit C and zinc, spit out to avoid causing D

Whole of body
- increase Vit D, like 10,000 - 20,000 iu per day to reduce inflammation and help body fight inflammation
- rest
- litres and litres of water...
- eat bland, easy to digest meals

Support immune system - Vit C, magnesium, Zinc

Nasal congestion - netti pot, or steam to help clear mucus.

Other natural remedies, that are known to help, go cautiously so as to not aggregate MC.
Olive leaf extract - anti viral, pre mc I used liquid form as cough medicine and in large amounts it can reduce a temp. I can't do liquid form now, but there is MC safe tablet forms.

Something to keep in mind, no medication or natural solution can necessarily make cold or flu vanish... They can reduce the symptoms and help your body recover quicker...
3 years ago when everyone at work got nasty flu, it took some 4-6 weeks to get over it. I took high doses of Vit D3, Zinc, huge amount of water. All symptoms were gone in 11 days.

[Maximus74]

Throat - gargle liquid Vit C and zinc, spit out to avoid causing D

Whole of body
- increase Vit D, like 10,000 - 20,000 iu per day to reduce inflammation and help body fight inflammation
- rest
- litres and litres of water...
- eat bland, easy to digest meals

Support immune system - Vit C, magnesium, Zinc

Nasal congestion - netti pot, or steam to help clear mucus.

Other natural remedies, that are known to help, go cautiously so as to not aggregate MC.
Olive leaf extract - anti viral, pre mc I used liquid form as cough medicine and in large amounts it can reduce a temp. I can't do liquid form now, but there is MC safe tablet forms.

Something to keep in mind, no medication or natural solution can necessarily make cold or flu vanish... They can reduce the symptoms and help your body recover quicker...
3 years ago when everyone at work got nasty flu, it took some 4-6 weeks to get over it. I took high doses of Vit D3, Zinc, huge amount of water. All symptoms were gone in 11 days.

Hi Gabes,

What products do you recommend for us Aussies to boost Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Magnesium and Zinc? I tried olive leaf extract (liquid form) a few years ago and the side effects were worse than eating a huge serve of dairy, and I'm lactose intolerant

[Gabes-Apg]

Yes same for me, since MC i can not tolerate liquid olive leaf extract.

Best products from Australia for the following;

Vit D3
Bioceuticals Vit D3 forte drops - available at chemists that have naturopaths/compounding on site etc
MC safe, well absorbed (lingually rather than gut) When I had the winter flu, i went through 2 bottles in a weekend. Way cheaper than doctors visits and useless antiobiotics etc...
worth the extra outlay compared to other products.

Magnesium - NTS Health Mag Sorb Spray or Ancient Minerals Magnesium spray. NTS health you can buy direct from their website, lots of online and retail places sell Ancient minerals.
Orally - only MC safe Mag, is the Ethical Nutrients Mega Mag tablets. (frequently on special at places like chemist warehouse)
to boost magnesium intakes in times of stress/illness I do epsom salt foot soaks

Zinc - the ethical nutrients mega zinc product is pretty good, or the Thorne or Now brand via iHerb.
(i get practitioner drops via my functional practitioner so havent purchased retail zinc for over 2 years)
for liquid higher quality - compounding chemist/shop will have the optiplex zinc liquid which is also very very good. (i used this for 3-4 years)

Vit C - with my other health issues i have been picky on a good Vit C. I got the Thorne one from iHerb but reacted to it. I now get practitioner only powder via my functional practitioner
there is another one i got online but cant remember name or website (havent bought it for 2 years)
my main source of Vit C is veges, namely Sweet Potato and cauliflower.
be prepared, good absorbable MC safe Vit C is expensive so having Vit C rich veges daily

I increase intake of these the week prior, if I am going to places/events where there is high risk of having exposure to flu/colds etc.

hope this helps.

[Maximus74]

Thanks Gabe for all the information. It's greatly appreciated. I've started introducing more well cooked vegetables into my diet now that my initial flare is getting under control. Sweet potato is definitely a favourite of mine. Are you able to eat red or green capsicum?

[Gabes-Apg]

Hi there
sorry for delay in replying, was at car race event here in Sydney for 3 days.

I am NOT able to eat capsicum nor onion since MC. big trigger for me.

I remembered the supplier of the Vit C. here is a link for the product
https://www.aussiehealthproducts.com.au ... -200gm.php

[Pam V]

Gabes,

I’m so glad I saw your post about using the Neti Pot I hadn’t used mine in awhile so it wasn’t on the forefront of my mind as I attempted to battle my first head cold since MC. Every fall, I typically get a nasty sinus infection and my only help has been the Advil Cold and Sinus that you get from the pharmacist (not the stuff on the shelf). I was panicking not being able to take it but using the Neti many times/day, rest, hot tea, sleeping with two pillows ~ I’m feeling much better! Thank you!

What do we MCers do when the time comes when we need to take something? Is Tylenol acceptable or is that as bad as Motrin?

I hope your car event was fun!!!

Pam

[Gabes-Apg]

Pam
if the body has the right nutrients such as Vit D3, magnesium, Zinc, Vit C etc then the immune system will do its thing.

Car event was mega fun!
great weather, great people, lots of laughs.

[tex]

Pam,

Tylenol will not cause MC problems. Neither will tramidol and narcotic-type painkillers. Of course you have to watch out for the usual risks of kidney damage if you use alcohol while taking tylenol, and the risk of impaction when using opioids.

Tex

[Pam V]

Thank you, Tex! I’m hoping not to have to use anything but it’s goid to know Tylenol is an option

Gabes ~ glad you had a blast. Whenever there’s an event with mega laughs, it’s got to be good:)

~Pam

[Kari]

A couple of years ago I had bronchitis with an unbearable, hacking cough. The only way I could get any sleep was with a "Fisherman's Friend" extra strength cough lozenge in my mouth. I always keep them on hand in case I need them.

Kari