I'm Sick! Natural suggestions??

007FatSlayer
007FatSlayer Posts: 132 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I've been sick with cold like symptoms for almost a week.

SO, what are your suggestions for getting better faster?


what I know:
-Sleep
-Light exercise
-Multivitamins
-Increase antioxidants (foods)
-Water

I don't want to continue feeling like junk, especially over the holiday weekend. Also, I went to the doc and she told me it was a cold (it'd last around 10 days); she prescribed me penicillin, but I'm only trying to take that as a last resort or if I get worse.


Thanks :smile:

Replies

  • danamariers
    danamariers Posts: 155 Member
    unpasteurized honey is a natural cough suppressant (and still maintains the natural bacteria that occurs in honey), cinnamon is a natural anti-inflammatory aid.

    I like to boil a cinnamon stick for 5 min, add a teaspoon or less of unpasteurized honey and drink as a tea.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    I like ginger tea with honey. It really clears the sinuses.
  • Pearsquared
    Pearsquared Posts: 1,656 Member
    You haven't taken the antibiotic yet, right? If you started taking it, take all of it. o: Otherwise, I agree with the tea suggestions as a nice way to clear sinuses. Also, steam is wonderful - a hot shower to relieve symptoms. Unfortunately, your body isn't really going to get better faster in any way - it has to kill the disease itself. However, making your body as comfortable as possible can help yourself feel better and make your body more efficient at killing the disease (and thus, making you less miserable during the duration).
  • ddky
    ddky Posts: 381 Member
    chicken noodle soup... old wives tale that does work.. and lots and lots of water.
  • micheleb15
    micheleb15 Posts: 1,418 Member
    Apple cider vinegar and Oscillococcinum are my go-to's when I feel a cold coming on. Cayenne Pepper works great on a sore throat too. Unfortunately, time is the only true fix. Best to just treat the symptoms now.
  • Alwayssohungry
    Alwayssohungry Posts: 369 Member
    Suck it up - take the penicillin - it's been around forever because it works. Be thankful they didn't give you any of the new drugs.
  • allshebe
    allshebe Posts: 423 Member
    most antibiotics don't have any power against viruses, such as those that cause "colds". Don't take the penicillin unless you think you are developing bronchitis (which is typically a secondary bacterial infection). If you do start the penicillin, take all of it.

    I take lots of garlic in oil capsules or "odor-free garlic" tablets - small handful several times per day. I don't know if it will help at this point any more, though - If you've had the cold for a week, it should have nearly run its course. You could try a plate of pasta with red sauce heavy on the garlic and a good red wine - will make you not care that you feel bad, if nothing else.
  • ea101367
    ea101367 Posts: 175 Member
    Penicillin for a cold???
    Get out in the fresh air and move, hot shower and PLENTY of fluids ( water, chicken soup......)
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    Suck it up - take the penicillin - it's been around forever because it works. Be thankful they didn't give you any of the new drugs.

    Umm, really? If it's a cold, then it's a virus. An antibiotic is not going to help a virus...


    Traditional Medicinals makes some really great teas. They have one for colds - I forget the name of it, but you should be able to find it in the tea section at any health food store (if you're in North America). I find raw honey in tea also helps clear up congestion. And rest. Don't take the penicillin.
  • 007FatSlayer
    007FatSlayer Posts: 132 Member
    Thank you everyone for your feedback. I don't know why she gave them to me if she thought it was a cold--hopefully it's nothing more. I will try a lot of the suggestions given
  • 007FatSlayer
    007FatSlayer Posts: 132 Member
    Thank you everyone for your feedback. I don't know why she gave them to me if she thought it was a cold--hopefully it's nothing more. I will try a lot of the suggestions given

    The doc asked me what color my phlegm was (yellow). I guess bacterial infections are yellow/green colored mucous and viral infections are clear/cloudy.
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    Extra garlic.
  • Evachiquita
    Evachiquita Posts: 223 Member
    Your doc probably gave you penicillin to make you happy and make you feel like your trip to the doctor was worth it. Did she talk to you about allergies? Many people confuse allergies for colds. The thing with allergies, for most people, is they may be stuffy and have a runny nose and feel like they have a head cold but lack other symptoms like fever and all over achey-ness. You can develop an allergy to anything at any point in your life.

    I think eating pretty much any variety of vegetables will help. Make a simple vegetable soup with carrots, celery, tomatoes, and whatever else you have and lots of onion and garlic and herbs like parsley. Add some burdock root if you can find any. Onion, garlic, and ginger are all natural antibiotics and anitfungals. I find that if I just rest and drink some echinacea tea that helps too. I swear by lemons too...I think they are also antibiotic, have vitamin c and I think they have other magical powers that can't be explained. lol Plus they taste so good! Try drinking warm water with lemon, ginger, and some honey.

    Feel better soon!
  • xclassiqx
    xclassiqx Posts: 28 Member
    Steam, exercise, concoction of water+lemon juice+cayenne pepper we use this in my family and it works really well especially if you have a sore throat as well. Definitely rest your body and let nature take its course.
  • IAteBethDitto
    IAteBethDitto Posts: 98 Member
    Maybe zinc.

    http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/05may/Pages/Zinc-shortens-common-cold.aspx
  • conniedj
    conniedj Posts: 470 Member
    NOW brand has a zinc lozenge with echinacea and propopolis. Along with ACV and raw honey--these are my go to's! Also....I like to make sure I am good on all of my minerals--so if I'm not feeling so great, I will double up on my super greens! Feel better!
  • dkirkling
    dkirkling Posts: 48 Member
    buckwheat honey is a great decongestant
  • Juelz2013
    Juelz2013 Posts: 33
    Essential oils are great for fighting colds and other sicknesses the natural way. Thieves essential oils(helps immune system), lemon(For fighting mucous), eucalyptus(for congestion and fights bacteria) Peppermint(Antiseptic and antiviral, also great for headaches). I buy mine from young living, they are 100% pure and they have no expiry date. If you buy ones with an expiry date then they aren't pure.

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