Are you among the thousands to regularly called in sick from work with a cold (you probably called it flu, because it sounds so much more convincing that way)? It has been calculated that we will, during a lifetime, spend more than two years at the mercy of the bugs that cause the common cold.
Having recently been laid low with a corker of a cold (flu) I went on a search and seek mission to source a range of remedies intended to relieve the misery of a sore throat, cough, congestion, temperature, headache and associated aches and pains.
My pharmacist, who also promotes herbal/natural remedies, suggested I lay off dairy products and sugary stuff as these are potent immune suppressants. And, as the racking coughing can last for weeks, a good tip is to eat spicy foods like curry, as this promotes mucus in the airways and helps wash out the virus.
Vitamin C
A 1,000mg tablet dissolved in water (tastes surprisingly nice), this is considered a front line weapon in the cold war as Vitamin C reduces the severity and duration of a cold because it’s an antioxidant and, antioxidants boost your immune system.
I felt a lot better after only three days, also supplementing the tablets by eating fruit and quaffing apple juice. One tablet daily.
Price: £3.60
Nurofen Cold and Flu
This pill targets pain relief (makes you think of stealth bombers dropping smart bombs down your chimney). They work really well in reducing pain, fever, and inflammation and are far gentler on the stomach than aspirin.
Price: £3.40
Mubesan Syrup and Mucosolvan
The first of these is a natural product with Icelandic, hand-gathered lichen, peppermint extract, anise, and honey. It’s also rather delicious and remarkably effective in helping to clear the deep bronchial hacking cough. Take 10 ml 3 times a day for 10 days.
Mucosolvan – made by Boehringer Laboratories – offers really rapid relief from wheezing like a geriatric Donkey. It also tastes good, has to be taken for 2-3 days 3 times a day after which, you will be able to hold a high C like Callas.
Price: £3.90 and £1.64
Dexa-Rhinaspray
A disturbed sleep due to the feeling that you have a pair of socks stuffed up your nasal passages doesn’t help your immune system recover. SO it’s vital you get lots of rest. Again Boehringer have given us this little miracle bottle of nasal drops. Snort liberally and, within seconds, you have cleared the blockage. This action lasts long enough for you to nod off. Great stuff.
Price: £4.30
Olbas Oil
For those who do not wish to be seen in public ramming a pointed drop infuser up their nostrils, the subtle and effective way to politely unblock in social circumstances, is to sprinkle some Olbas oil on a hankie and then discreetly sniff. This Aussie-originated natural mix of Olbas, juniper berry, eucalyptus, menthol, and wintergreen works well as an inhaled decongestant. You can also sprinkle some on your pillow to help get a good unblocked night’s rest.
Price: £3.25
My mother’s Hot Toddy
In Scotland, this centuries old tried and tested home remedy is taken just before bedtime and is actually quite delicious (even for those who don’t like whisky) but be sure to use all the ingredients or else it won’t work. Also, be careful as this purely medical purpose beverage can and does become a ‘wee’ bit addictive.
Take one large stout glass or mug.
Boil water.
Measure one shot of whisky into container (that’s a measure taken from the tip of the thumb to the knuckle).
Squeeze in juice of one lemon.
Add one tablespoon of honey and one teaspoon of sugar
Pour in the boiling water and drink as hot as you can bear it.
Voila- perfect sleep!
Echinacea
Last but not least is the potent herb Echinacea. My pharmacist has become a touch embarrassed taking my money on such a regular basis (having suffered three colds in five months) suggested one of the best ways to prevent having a cold in the future is to take one Echinacea capsule daily. OK it’s a bit pricey but if this keeps me cold (flu) free then it’s well worth it, considering the ludicrous amount of money one spends in trying to cope when you do succumb to the most ubiquitous malady of the western world.
Price: 100 capsules for £10.77
