Natural Cold Remedies

[Healthnut]

What can I take that will help with clearing up nasal passages and cold symptoms? For me, the only thing that really helps is "Dristan" Nasal spray. Should I stay away from that?

I tried boiling ginger root and drinking, but it doesn't help with clearing nasal passage.

Any recommendations?

[J F]

I use warm salt water up the nose and gargled in the throat. I think Shelley has a protocol page which details how to do it. You can also buy a nettie pot for this, but I just cup some of the salt water in my hand and snort it in one nostril at a time. It works wonders for cleaning out the sinuses and the salt is great for getting rid of any potential bacteria growth. Or at least that is what I was told. Not too hot and not too salty, though! And use sea salt. Iodized salt burns like a mother.

[shelley]

Don't ever take Dristan! Nope! You already got the recommendations I would have made. Be sure to read the FAQ, colds/flu are in the ailments section.

Sinus care is totally backwards here in the States. Other countries are much better able to deal with their sinuses than we are. Neti pots are wonderful. We have sinus irrigation tools in the drugstores but no one ever recommends their use. Sheesh.