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BANG FOR THE BITE
Blow your nose one last time, then reach for a natural sinus clearer.
COCKTAIL FACT
Bless you very much: the fastest sneeze ever recorded clocked in at 103.6 mph (although we're not sure why they were calculating).
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home › tip library › Natural Cold Remedies
Would you please hand us another tissue?
The Bite
It seems like we use a forest's worth of tissues each time sinus congestion hits. Sinusitis season ain't over 'til it's over, so clear your head with natural remedies.The Benefits
- No more congestion. And here you thought you'd never breathe through your nose again.
- Fewer worries about side effects or nasty interactions with other meds.
- Save paper. Americans use about 50 lbs of tissue paper per year.
Personally Speaking
A couple squirts of Sinus Buster saved Jen during a recent over-the-phone radio interview, while Heather loves Seshmaan Miracle Herbs because they make her feel all tingly inside.Wanna Try?
- Sinus Buster - up-the-nose hot pepper spray that really works ($16).
- Seshmaan Miracle Herbs - if we didn't think we'd get in trouble, we'd call this "Herbal Theraf!*." Drop a packet in hot water and let the steam and pepper ease your pain ($30/12 sachets).
- White Flower Analgesic Balm - eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint and wintergreen topical puts chem-based vapo-rubs to shame ($6).
- Olbas Inhaler - eucalyptus and peppermint spray formula ($5).
- Seventh Generation Facial Tissue - 100% recycled ($3).
- Ideal Bite's Cold Conquering Tip - naturally relieve other cold and flu symptoms.
Jan 23,2007
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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
Falling Off the Wagon
A few months back, I had a hideous cold. HORRIFIC, really. Full blown head explosion.
So I had an appointment with my acupuncturist that first snotty day, and she performed "cupping" on me. If you don't know what it is, I won't go into detail. Suffice to say, it involves suction and fire and at the end, you are bruised and look like you've been beaten within an inch of your life.
Apparently, the cupping was meant to suck out all the evil and speed up my cold so that it would move through more quickly. And apparently, it worked, since the cold was COMPLETELY gone in 2 days.
However, I don't think I can give credit to the cupping for the fact that I managed to make it through a date that night.
Nope, I hate to admit it, but I have to give that credit to a certain unnamed evil cold medication.
Yes, I know, I know, it's bad. I shoulda stayed home and drank more fluids. I shoulda let the cold run its course instead of having a cocktail and late night makeout session with a guy 9 years younger than me. But it was a hot date. I couldn't help myself.
Besides, Jen told me to, so really, it's her fault.
-Heather... off to celebrate the fact that I have had one 3-day cold in the past 3 years...
Biter Comments...
Man, I would KILL for a date with a guy 9 years younger than me.
With that said, the last time I felt a cold coming on (scratchy/swollen sore throat), I immediately started taking E'mergen-C 3-4 times a day and by Day 3 I was back to my old self. The cold never even had time to form.
This is not a remedy, but it can help stem the tide of tissue usage. I have started to use handkerchiefs instead of paper tissues. I have enjoyed searching for fun vintage handkerchiefs at antique fairs and shops. Now I have quite a collection. I keep one in my purse, by my bedside, and in the pocket of my coat. My husband has done the same. No more paper tissue for our house!
Another really great remedy for maintaining health and not getting to the point of needing the sprays and tinctures is a netti pot. You use it to rinse your nasal passages once or twice a day with warm salt water. It has worked wonders for my family and friends. I highly recommend anyone to research it and give it a try. If you have had reoccuring sinus infections or colds it is soooo worth your while.
Did you guys really try Sinus Buster product? On the page you've linked to they're promoting it as a weight loss product as well?!? Sounds sketchy to me.
Jason
I was surprised that the tip didn't suggest something as simple as using a handkerchief or handkerchief-like scrap of old tshirt. It's so easy. The only problem is that a lot of people either think it's gross, or look to you as a grandfather-figure from then on.
Jason-
While I haven't tried the Sinus Buster, I know that Jen uses it - and she swears by it for a clearer sinus. She hasn't mentioned any miraculous, unexpected weight loss, so we can't recommend it for people just trying to lose a few lbs, but it does help to clear congestion. Personally, I like the Seshmaan stuff - mostly because it tastes so good. I'm battling strep right now as I write this and liquids are about the only thing I can handle. It's not gonna kill the strep (I've turned to old-fashioned antibiotics for that), but it does help me feel good enough to work again.
The wonderful world of herbal remedies has many alternatives. For any of you out there with children, there is a product called Children's Immune Defense. (I get it from The Vitamin Shoppe). It is a real saver when it comes to the onset of colds. Kicks it right out. I even used it the last time that I got a nasty cold and hey what do you know, it worked for me too. It has a blend of olive leaf, collidial silver and zinc. Great stuff.
I second the comment about using a handkerchiefs. If you are worried about them looking like your grandfather check out www.atishoo.co.uk/ super fashionable and hip handkerchiefs.
What? No mention of hankies? Recycled tissues are still recycled (i.e. processed)--and still cost the environment. Hankies may seem 'gross' but once you master the fold system, your nose and the environment will thank you. Just remember to wash them!
do this: gargle twice or more daily with 1/2 hydrogen peroxide and half water. if you are phleghmatic, wonderfully horrible things will emerge from you.
take some good sea salt, dissolve in very warm water, go in the shower, put in your palm snort it up your nose, but not forcefully, like gurgling up your nostrils. horrible things will come out of you.
finish your shower with a minute-long blast of cold water. wonderful things will happen to you.
stay AWAY from sugar, and white things, avoid them like the plague. or else terrible things will happen to you.
stay away from antibiotics, most of the time they are not even the right one. those docs don't know what time it is. they wreack havoc on your body and destroy all the good bacteria.
if you do take antibiotics, or have taken them or even not, take PRObiotics, in supplement form or along with a really high-quality yogurt. i love hawthorne valley, i've been to that farm and it's damn nice. those cows is happy, people.
take colloidal silver, nature's antibiotic. splurge.
take zinc, but only the smallest dose and ALWAYS with food.
do all these other things these fine people have told you.
or do like all the older-timers in my FAM, take a shot of cognac or vodka straight to your head at the first signs.
seventh gen TP is overpriced, if you can't bear to use a hanky, get MARCAL. 100 % recycled, non-chlorine bleached, little-known fact, and cheaper, way cheaper.
and remember, having an occasional cold is healthy. it's nature's way of cleaning you out and rebooting your system. reminding you to keep out and clean out the sludge. to stop and reconsider your health, and you can take a couple days of work. that never hurt anyone. unless you work for really evil people. then i can't help you.
peace
The greatest discovery I made in the fight against sinusitus is Xlear, a saline spray with the natural ingredient xylitol in it. It prevents germs and other nasties from sticking to your nasal membranes. I've had no infections this year and I used to get them practially back to back all winter. You can get it on www.JigsawHealth.com, a website listed in a past biters tip.
As a bartender you learn all sorts of remedies for various illnesses (hangovers being the most common) that you can concoct with ingredients readily at hand behind the bar. My super special secret remedy for colds/congestion I call a Hot Shot (and all my bar patrons swear by it). Into a shot glass, pour as much cayenne pepper sauce (such as Tabasco) as you can handle, the more the better. Add a squeeze of lemon and fill with hot water. Drink at the first sign of a cold coming on to boost your immune system and scare away the bugs. Or drink after its already hit to clear your sinuses, soothe your throat (I know that seems counterintuitive, but it really does) and even help to break a fever by causing you to sweat. Sweet.
--Toshio, hope you feel better soon! Sending love and light your way!
Linda -
I was going to mention Xlear too, when I saw your post. I second that motion. Xlear is fantastic and I never travel without it.
Raven-
That drink sounds sooooooo good. Gonna try it later, once my tongue feels better (I've been drinking so much hot tea it was bound to get scalded at some point).
-Toshio
My apologies... but as "Green" as I try to be... I cannot fathom blowing my nose in a hankie over and over and over. Especially when I'm sick. Ugh. Isn't there another alternative?
Liz
Eliminate wheat and dairy from your diet aned never get a cold again. Eat fruits, veggies and seafood, grass fed meat only and healthy fats (raw butter, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil...and enjoy abundant health and high energy for the rest of your life!!
My mother bought a Fruits Of Life Antioxidant from Vitamin shoppe store through Couponalbum.com & saved 25%..!!
Nice blog!! my friend bought a BSN No-Xplode Fruit Punch from Vitamin shoppe store on Couponalbum.com & saved 35%..!!
Just eat more fruits and all of those horrifying days of colds will be long gone!
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PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Lexy | January 23, 2007 at 06:24 AM