Natural Cold Remedies
My two-year-old grandson is a walking petri dish of germs, and last week he managed to infect the entire family with a cold. It was interesting to see the different intensity of the symptoms based on how each family member dealt with the cold. My husband wanted to soldier on without taking any medicine, so he had the worst symptoms. I had the least symptoms, and I think it was because after teaching for 40 years and having three children of my own I have built up a tool bag of remedies. Here are a few that work for me.
Honey
Honey has antioxidants and antimicrobial properties to fight the cold, and it can also soothe a scratchy throat. It can also boost your immune system.
Peppermint oil
When I was teaching I would always have a bottle of peppermint oil on my desk. My students called it the magic oil because a little drop on the forehead solved quite a few headaches. Be careful though because some people are allergic to it, and keep it away from small children and dogs.
If you are congested, drop some oil in your palm, rub your hands together, and breathe in deeply. It’s a great decongestant. Wash your hands though before touching your eyes. (I’m speaking from experience, unfortunately!)
I also sprinkle peppermint oil on my pillow at night to help with congestion.