Home Cough & Cold Remedies by Tara

This was originally posted to my friend Lori's Facebook wall. She then posted it as a note. This is an edited and updated version of that note:
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Here's a list of cold remedies from simple ones (if the sneezing hasn't started yet), to pretty radical cures for more advanced colds, coughs, wheezing or laryngitis.

1) If you feel that first tickle in the back of your throat, don't be lazy!! Get up and immediately gargle with some salt water (I have seen measurements ranging from 1/8 tsp up to one whole tsp of salt dissolved in a cup of water, as hot as you can take - the greater the concentration of salt, the more it will burn, but consequently the better it will work)…if you live near the ocean, gargle with ocean water, that's even better, provided the ocean is clean where you live.

2) Here's another good one for when you feel that first tickle in the back of your throat, but you REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO GET A COLD RIGHT NOW…This is a pretty radical cure , but it REALLY DOES WORK
a) Get a cup with a long spout (a small teapot, or you can buy a "nose buddy" at a yoga store).
b) Mix up a batch of salt water (I have seen measurements ranging from 1/8 tsp up to one whole tsp of salt in a cup of water, as hot as you can take - the greater the concentration of salt, the more it will burn, but consequently the better it will work) - you might want to dissolve the salt in hot water, and then let it cool to lukewarm.
b) Close off one nostril with one finger, and tilt your head so you are able to "pour" the salt water up your other nostril. Inhale the salt water, but be sure to close off your throat so you DO NOT SWALLOW IT!! Open the closed nostril, and exhale it through that one...so it's going in one nostril, and out the other....Switch sides. And repeat....It's nasty, but it WILL work, but only at the very beginning stages of a cold...

3) Here's another cure that works really well, if you are having trouble sleeping because of troublesome coughing, or wheezing.
a) Get a vaporizer (under $20 at most pharmacies).
b) Buy some Eucalyptus, Peppermint or Spearmint Oil (any health food store should have one of them).
c) Fill it half full with water...the first time add some non-iodized salt to the water.
d) Put a drop or two of the aromatic oil in the little indentation on top.
e) Close the doors and windows to your bedroom, to keep all the steamy moisture in the room.
f) Plug it in, and sleep with it on...you will feel it clearing out your nose and throat while you sleep.
WARNING: The moisture might make papers curl, or tape come off your walls!

4. Another thing you can do to clear a froggy throat is crush up a handful of fresh mint leaves, while bringing some water to a boil. Once boiled, turn the water off, and sprinkle the crushed mint leaves on top (most health food stores sell fresh herbs). Stir with a wooden spoon. While the mint water is still very hot, take a big towel, and place it over your head, while inhaling the tea, so that you and the tea are in your own little world under the towel. Inhale deeply, and it will clear the sinuses nicely. If you don't have Fresh Mint, you can use tea bags of Mint Tea instead.

5. Another good way to clear a froggy throat, or laryngitis is to make this concoction:
a) Juice of one lemon
b) Mix in 1/8 tsp cayenne
c) Add 1-2 T honey (or to taste)
d) Mix into a cup of extremely hot water, as hot as you can take over it, and drink…it clears and coats the throat and gets your immune system going, too...you can even crush up some garlic into it, too...as long as nobody cares how your breath smells, of course!!

6. And for laryngitis - this one really works well, and it's yummy, too! Everything does something in this cure.
a) Grate one apple into a bowl.
b) Add the juice of one lemon.
c) Add 1 TBSP of Honey.
d) Stir it well.
e) Add a handful of raisins.
f) Add a handful of chopped walnuts
g) Add 1 TBSP of Wheat Germ (Make sure it's fresh, as it will go rancid over time).
h) Stir well again.

Eat this for breakfast or as a snack in between meals. It's actually pretty tasty, but I usually lose interest about 3/4 of the way through…you'll know when you've eaten enough.

7. Now, if your cold is more advanced, and has settled into your chest, this is the most radical cure I know of…and you don't want to do this unless you are really, really miserable, because it is difficult, and can be really unpleasant if not done exactly correctly…

Please Follow the Instructions Carefully, because if you mess up, it can be pretty painful.

a) You want to do this right before going to sleep, when you are completely ready to lay down, and don't plan to get up again, as you don't want to walk on your feet once you've done this.
b) Bring the following things to your bedside, so they will be there in the morning: A big dishpan size tub of water, filled about half full, and a bath towel. Place the tub on the floor by your bedside.
c) You will also need a pair of socks, some wet and some dry paper towels, and some Cayenne Pepper powder.
d) You are going to put Cayenne Pepper, very carefully, on all the "tougher parts" of your feet - basically, the ball and the heel of the foot. Moisten only those areas, and sprinkle the cayenne pepper on them, smooth it out with your hand, and then wipe your hand down with the wet and dry paper towels (cayenne can be a serious skin irritant)..
e) Carefully put on the socks, so as not to loosen any of the caked on Cayenne Pepper. Go to sleep.
f) You will feel the heat traveling up your legs, from your feet, towards your head, as you sleep. Your congestion should be greatly improved upon arising.

IMPORTANT: YOU DO NOT WANT TO WALK ON YOUR FEET WHILE YOU STILL HAVE CAYENNE PEPPER ON THEM.

g) Before getting out of bed, and walking anywhere, you want to MAKE SURE to rinse your feet in the tub of water and dry them off. You do NOT want to walk on the cayenne pepper, because it will burn.

IMPORTANT CAUTIONS:
i) Do not let even one grain of cayenne pepper get between your toes, or on your instep - it will burn like mad.
ii) Make sure not to walk on your feet while the Cayenne is still on them.
iii) If you have sensitive skin, you might want to have two tubs of standing water, and do a double rinse before walking around.

I know it's radical, but it really does work wonders!!
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Well, that's all I can think of right now….I'll append this post if I think of some others.

Hope some of that helped….your feedback is welcome.

: )

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P.S. Here's some great reference pages with more cold remedies:

a) Home Remedies using salt water.

Or try it with a few drops of Eucalyptus Oil as described in the Yoga Journal.

Or read about some more remedies, including some homeopathic ones from eatrundoyoga.com.