To drug or not to drug? It is possible to effectively treat your cold and flu symptoms without the meds. Here's how.
We've all been there: you can't sleep, you can't focus; you're stuffed up and fed up. the discomfort is enough to drive a sane person mad. especially when you consider the fact that the most common causes of congestion-- namely the cold and flu--are without a cure. All you can do is rest up and treat the symptoms as they come.
C ongestion occurs when the mucus membranes of the nose and throat become inflamed in response to an irritant. the blood vessels lining those passages expand and fill with excess blood in order to facilitate increased mucus production. your runny nose is actually a healing mechanism; it's your body's way of trying to flush out foreign invaders. Unfortunately, the resultant airway constriction also makes it difficult to breathe.
Over-the-counter medications do offer congestion relief, but that welcome respite often comes with a host of unwelcome side effects, including drowsiness, increased blood pressure and anxiety. decongestants, while effective, actually work against your body's natural healing mechanisms by restricting blood flow to the nose and throat. but don't despair. there are plenty of natural remedies that can also help to ease the pain of congestion. Here are five drug-free fixes you can try at home.
1.go for a steam. Breathing moist air helps to lubricate dried out nasal passages and ease sore throat pain. it also offers some much needed relaxation. indulge in a steamy shower several times a day when you're feeling congested. Likewise, moist heat compresses applied directly to the cheeks and sinuses will also help you breathe easier. Standing over a sink full of hot water or using a humidifier offer similar benefits. Up the ante by adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water, which is known to help open bronchial tubes and ease congestion.
2. Call on an old friend. For temporary relief, reach for Fisherman's Friend Original extra Strong lozenges ( fishermansfriend.ca).the tough little suckers have been soothing coughs and nasal congestion on land and at sea since 1865. though they are now also available in Sugar Free refreshing Mint and Low Sugar Cherry, Fisherman's Friend lozenges are still made using the same tried-and-true all-natural recipe, which contains proven congestion-busting ingredients menthol, eucalyptus oil, tragacanth and licorice. 3. Give a Neti pot a try. A Neti pot is a small ceramic container used for nasal saline irrigation. At first glance, it could be mistaken for a genie's magic lamp. though it won't grant you three wishes, it can be very effective in relieving nasal congestion by watering down mucus and flushing virus particles and bacteria from your nose. to use, fill the Neti pot with saline solution: dissolve 1.25 milliliters (1/4 teaspoon) salt, 1.25 mL (1/4 tsp) baking soda in 235 mL (8 ounces) warm water. Lean over the sink with your head tilted to one side and pour the liquid directly into the top nostril. Let the salt water run through your nasal cavity and out your other nostril and mouth. blow your nose and repeat.
4.Wind down with a hot toddy. Warm liquids relieve nasal congestion, prevent dehydration and soothe the inflamed membranes lining your nose and throat. A hot toddy is an age-old bedtime remedy comprised of herbal tea, 5 mL (1 tsp) honey and, of course, a shot of whisky or bourbon. best to cut yourself off after one as too much alcohol can be counterproductive and actually further inflame those mucus membranes. Other soothing hot beverages include Organic throat Coat ( ca.traditionalmedicinals.com/nhp/product/102),an herbal tea containing marshmallow and licorice, or a simple cup of warm water with lemon and honey, which will help loosen congestion and relieve a cough. 5. Strip down before bed. Nasal strips, such as breathe right ( breatheright.ca),offer relief when you need it most: at bedtime. the pain and discomfort of nasal congestion due to cold, flu or allergies are bad enough without adding exhaustion to the roster of symptoms. Worn over the nose while you sleep, the strips apply an outward force to the nasal vestibule, which causes the airway to dilate and provides instant congestion relief. breathe right strips are the only nasal dilator strips that have been clinically shown to improve airway constriction throughout the night (by a remarkable 31 percent!).they can also be used in conjunction with over-the-counter meds, if you so desire.
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DID YOU KNOW...
More than just a cough drop, Fisherman's Friend also makes a mean cup of tea. dissolve your favourite Fisherman's Friend lozenge in a mug of herbal tea for a soothing hot beverage.
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Information courtesy of the National Post for public health benefit. Feb. 17, 2010
C ongestion occurs when the mucus membranes of the nose and throat become inflamed in response to an irritant. the blood vessels lining those passages expand and fill with excess blood in order to facilitate increased mucus production. your runny nose is actually a healing mechanism; it's your body's way of trying to flush out foreign invaders. Unfortunately, the resultant airway constriction also makes it difficult to breathe.
Over-the-counter medications do offer congestion relief, but that welcome respite often comes with a host of unwelcome side effects, including drowsiness, increased blood pressure and anxiety. decongestants, while effective, actually work against your body's natural healing mechanisms by restricting blood flow to the nose and throat. but don't despair. there are plenty of natural remedies that can also help to ease the pain of congestion. Here are five drug-free fixes you can try at home.
1.go for a steam. Breathing moist air helps to lubricate dried out nasal passages and ease sore throat pain. it also offers some much needed relaxation. indulge in a steamy shower several times a day when you're feeling congested. Likewise, moist heat compresses applied directly to the cheeks and sinuses will also help you breathe easier. Standing over a sink full of hot water or using a humidifier offer similar benefits. Up the ante by adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water, which is known to help open bronchial tubes and ease congestion.
2. Call on an old friend. For temporary relief, reach for Fisherman's Friend Original extra Strong lozenges ( fishermansfriend.ca).the tough little suckers have been soothing coughs and nasal congestion on land and at sea since 1865. though they are now also available in Sugar Free refreshing Mint and Low Sugar Cherry, Fisherman's Friend lozenges are still made using the same tried-and-true all-natural recipe, which contains proven congestion-busting ingredients menthol, eucalyptus oil, tragacanth and licorice. 3. Give a Neti pot a try. A Neti pot is a small ceramic container used for nasal saline irrigation. At first glance, it could be mistaken for a genie's magic lamp. though it won't grant you three wishes, it can be very effective in relieving nasal congestion by watering down mucus and flushing virus particles and bacteria from your nose. to use, fill the Neti pot with saline solution: dissolve 1.25 milliliters (1/4 teaspoon) salt, 1.25 mL (1/4 tsp) baking soda in 235 mL (8 ounces) warm water. Lean over the sink with your head tilted to one side and pour the liquid directly into the top nostril. Let the salt water run through your nasal cavity and out your other nostril and mouth. blow your nose and repeat.
4.Wind down with a hot toddy. Warm liquids relieve nasal congestion, prevent dehydration and soothe the inflamed membranes lining your nose and throat. A hot toddy is an age-old bedtime remedy comprised of herbal tea, 5 mL (1 tsp) honey and, of course, a shot of whisky or bourbon. best to cut yourself off after one as too much alcohol can be counterproductive and actually further inflame those mucus membranes. Other soothing hot beverages include Organic throat Coat ( ca.traditionalmedicinals.com/nhp/product/102),an herbal tea containing marshmallow and licorice, or a simple cup of warm water with lemon and honey, which will help loosen congestion and relieve a cough. 5. Strip down before bed. Nasal strips, such as breathe right ( breatheright.ca),offer relief when you need it most: at bedtime. the pain and discomfort of nasal congestion due to cold, flu or allergies are bad enough without adding exhaustion to the roster of symptoms. Worn over the nose while you sleep, the strips apply an outward force to the nasal vestibule, which causes the airway to dilate and provides instant congestion relief. breathe right strips are the only nasal dilator strips that have been clinically shown to improve airway constriction throughout the night (by a remarkable 31 percent!).they can also be used in conjunction with over-the-counter meds, if you so desire.
---------
DID YOU KNOW...
More than just a cough drop, Fisherman's Friend also makes a mean cup of tea. dissolve your favourite Fisherman's Friend lozenge in a mug of herbal tea for a soothing hot beverage.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information courtesy of the National Post for public health benefit. Feb. 17, 2010
