are there any natural decongestants?

Question

I have a cold and cannot take over the counter remedies as i am hypertensive, I can take paracetamol to reduce my temperature, and am taking echinacea and vitamin c supplements, but i just wondered whether there were any natural decongestants around (other than eucalyptus/olbas) that any of you kind folk would know of?

I am worried that it may develop into man flu if i dont find something soon...

Answer 1

Crush and juice fresh ginger to fill a finger full of glass, top with warm water to half the glass... drop a teaspoon of honey in it with a generous squeeze of a juicy lemon... a pinch of cinnamon powder, just a pinch, no more...and a sprig of mint leaves to float on the top. Sip this warm, never cold..around 3 to 4 times a day. Can be addictive:)

Answer 2

My favourite, when I don't need to work or drive (or indeed function much at all) is the Hot Toddy - get a mug, put a thumb or so of whisky (or brandy, if you prefer) into the mug. Boil a kettle, and top up the mug with boiling water. Add a spoon full of honey, and a good squeeze of lemon, and a couple of cloves. Drink it whilst it's still hot.

It may not cure your cold, but after a couple of those, you won't care.

Alternatively, I find that going outside will help clear my nose, at least for a little bit.

Answer 3

Put your kettle on the boil, pour the hot water into a bowl, and then place your face over the bowl creating a tent with a towel over your head. Keep your face about 12 inches from the water surface so you don't scald your skin. Breathe in deeply, and stay under your 'tent' for at least 15 minutes. A dab of Vic's in the hot water also helps a lot to open up your sinuses. Repeat this process as often as you like, as there's nothing involved that might cause any ill-effects.

I hope you're soon feeling much better!

Answer 4

i am a great favour of herbal medicines.

This is an Indian remedy. Add 2 tsp of honey and 1 tsp of turmuric powder to a mug of warm milk. Have this at least 2-3 times a day.

If u have an oil burner, add some water and eucalyptus oil to it. The vapour itself will allow u to breathe better.

have a warm bath, using vapour rub or radox salts.

good luck!

Answer 5

Some would use essential oil of lavender but it's expensive. Shake a few drops on a Kleenex and inhale. Also try fresh mint or spearmint leaves, crushed?

Answer 6

I invested in a Vick's steam vapouriser. You can add a few drops of anything like olbas oil, menthol crystals, eucalyptus. Its especially helpful to have on during the night as it stops your nasal passages getting dried up. It also has a night light and is safe to have on all night. At this time of the year central heating (dry heat) plays havoc with my sinuses. You could always put a small bowl of water on your radiator that will also help. But the steam vapouriser works wonders. My little girls get a lot of coughs and colds at this time of year and it keeps their chest clear at night. A friend of mine borrowed it when her son had croup. It meant she didn't have to keep sitting in the bathroom with the shower on to clear his chest. Good old fashioned steam inhalation is as natural as it gets and it works!

Answer 7

Just use steam, get a bowl of hot water and a t towel and breathe in the steam if your not allergic to another essential oil put a few drops of that in

Answer 8

Try holding your head covered by a towel over a bowl of steaming water. Drink honey disolved in hot water, sometimes helps

Answer 9

An old fashioned but very effective remedy is steam inhalation.

Answer 10

Chewing some raw garlic might help,it just won't tatse or smell very nice! Peppermint oil might help some too