Greets 
Being I am sick with a flu/cold I thought it be a good topic to discuss on the board
For those afflicted with the cold/flu this season I do have a few tips form one who cannot take over the counter meds.
The reason I began holistic and alternative research and healing was due to the fact I have bad reactions to medications. I cannot take over the counter medication such as Tylenol cold/flu or common cold/flu medications they sell in drug stores. I cannot take many of the prescribed drugs such as Codeine or anti-inflammatory meds (antiinflammatories make me violently ill)
The reactions I have are not only with myself. I have noticed others seem to get the same reactions to medications.
Some are hypersensitive to thier effects.... such as myself. They may experience panick disorders such as anxiety attacks or panick attacks due to the fact it tends to mess with our sense of control. Many of these meds tend to leave you feeling drowsy and will alter ones mind to a degree. For many people this can leave them feeling worse than the actual illness at hand.
For any discomfort for sinus swelling or even inflammed muscles or bones I suggest simple ibuprofene. It acts as an antiinflammatory and is safe to use as long as taken with milk or food as it can upset the stomache. I take ibuprofene or Advil for my back problems as well as for inflammed sinus swelling. It helps deal wiht the pain of a sinus infection. I know it is not a natural remedy *grins* Perhaps I will look into a more natural anti-inflammatory *shrugs*
For the common cold/flu. I have done research in holistic/alternative treatments for several years now and found the following natural remedies to be highly effective. However as with any medication please take any herbal or alternative therapy as directed or you can be left feeling ill and can overdose as with any other medication.
For sinus problems. Sinus problems are very common in this day and age due to mass environmental polutants and pollens. If one suffers from sinus problems due to a cold/flu or allergies I find some of these treatments to be highly effective:
1) Chamomile tea. Chamomile tea is a wonder herbal treatment as it helps cure many ailments *grins* I often will suggest it to people. I also discovered 2 years ago that Chamomile is a natural sinus medication. It will help ease the discomfort of the most severe sinus problems and help you breath better through your nose and lungs. Chamomile is natural but should only be taken in small amounts do not drink cup after cup as it can leave you feeling listless and quite horrid. I suggest a good healthy cup of this herbal drink before bedtime if one has sinus problems. One cup a day is suffice for myself however for anyone else they can have one every four to five hours to help releive any sinus discomfort. It helps you relax as well and I highly recommend this herbal treatment for anyone with anxiety or panick disorders. It helped cure me of mine. BE patient it can take up to a half hour or a bit more to feel the relief.
2) Lavender: Lavender again is a multi functional herbal treatment. It is so mild and safe it can be used on children as well. You can do LAvender treatments in many ways. You can purchase lavender oila nd add 4 to 5 drops to a running hot bath. You then relax in this and soak. It helps build the immune system for those with weak immune systems due to allergies or other sinus related problems. IT helps one relax as well so do not do this treatment before doing anything which requires full attention such as driving *grins* Again Lavender is good for relaxation and helps releive discomfort of cold/flu symptoms and also is a great alternative remedy for anxiety or stress. You can also do this treatment with a simple lavender bubble bath or you can burn essential oil in an oil burner add 3 drops to water and let it burn throughout the house. It also disinfects and cleanses the air you breath of any bacteria floating about. you can also use half chamomile half lavender for a different treament and it is great.
3) Methol/eucalyptus: Ah yes this is most wonderful for sinus problems. I will often chew a piece of Alpine gum as it will clear my sinuses within the half hour. I basically lived on this during a very bad allergy season I alternated between this and chamomile tea to prevent myself from building an imunity to either of these. You can also purchase eucalyptus oil and add this to your bath water. Add 4 to 5 drop per bath. You can also burn this oil in an oil burner and let it disinfect the home as well. This Herbal remedy is also great for building the immune system. You can also buy Halls cough drops as this will contain both menthol and eucalyptus it is natural and safe to use as long as taken as directed on the package LOL It also helps to clear the lungs of any build up. Taste aweful but works LOL
These are a few of the remedies I find extremely useful for myself. You can alternate between these or use a combination of 2 of the above suggested remedies in half doses.
As with any meds please take these with respect as they can give one a bad reaction if misused. AS with any meds you can build a resistance to these treatments so use them only as needed.
Now days many products come with aromatherapy values such as dishsoap and bath products. I suggest not using these herbals unless it is needed as you can build an immunity to them. If they become ineffective alternate to another for a while then go back to the other one in time.
Hope this helps.
Be well and walk in peace
Cats
Being I am sick with a flu/cold I thought it be a good topic to discuss on the board
For those afflicted with the cold/flu this season I do have a few tips form one who cannot take over the counter meds.
The reason I began holistic and alternative research and healing was due to the fact I have bad reactions to medications. I cannot take over the counter medication such as Tylenol cold/flu or common cold/flu medications they sell in drug stores. I cannot take many of the prescribed drugs such as Codeine or anti-inflammatory meds (antiinflammatories make me violently ill)
The reactions I have are not only with myself. I have noticed others seem to get the same reactions to medications.
Some are hypersensitive to thier effects.... such as myself. They may experience panick disorders such as anxiety attacks or panick attacks due to the fact it tends to mess with our sense of control. Many of these meds tend to leave you feeling drowsy and will alter ones mind to a degree. For many people this can leave them feeling worse than the actual illness at hand.
For any discomfort for sinus swelling or even inflammed muscles or bones I suggest simple ibuprofene. It acts as an antiinflammatory and is safe to use as long as taken with milk or food as it can upset the stomache. I take ibuprofene or Advil for my back problems as well as for inflammed sinus swelling. It helps deal wiht the pain of a sinus infection. I know it is not a natural remedy *grins* Perhaps I will look into a more natural anti-inflammatory *shrugs*
For the common cold/flu. I have done research in holistic/alternative treatments for several years now and found the following natural remedies to be highly effective. However as with any medication please take any herbal or alternative therapy as directed or you can be left feeling ill and can overdose as with any other medication.
For sinus problems. Sinus problems are very common in this day and age due to mass environmental polutants and pollens. If one suffers from sinus problems due to a cold/flu or allergies I find some of these treatments to be highly effective:
1) Chamomile tea. Chamomile tea is a wonder herbal treatment as it helps cure many ailments *grins* I often will suggest it to people. I also discovered 2 years ago that Chamomile is a natural sinus medication. It will help ease the discomfort of the most severe sinus problems and help you breath better through your nose and lungs. Chamomile is natural but should only be taken in small amounts do not drink cup after cup as it can leave you feeling listless and quite horrid. I suggest a good healthy cup of this herbal drink before bedtime if one has sinus problems. One cup a day is suffice for myself however for anyone else they can have one every four to five hours to help releive any sinus discomfort. It helps you relax as well and I highly recommend this herbal treatment for anyone with anxiety or panick disorders. It helped cure me of mine. BE patient it can take up to a half hour or a bit more to feel the relief.
2) Lavender: Lavender again is a multi functional herbal treatment. It is so mild and safe it can be used on children as well. You can do LAvender treatments in many ways. You can purchase lavender oila nd add 4 to 5 drops to a running hot bath. You then relax in this and soak. It helps build the immune system for those with weak immune systems due to allergies or other sinus related problems. IT helps one relax as well so do not do this treatment before doing anything which requires full attention such as driving *grins* Again Lavender is good for relaxation and helps releive discomfort of cold/flu symptoms and also is a great alternative remedy for anxiety or stress. You can also do this treatment with a simple lavender bubble bath or you can burn essential oil in an oil burner add 3 drops to water and let it burn throughout the house. It also disinfects and cleanses the air you breath of any bacteria floating about. you can also use half chamomile half lavender for a different treament and it is great.
3) Methol/eucalyptus: Ah yes this is most wonderful for sinus problems. I will often chew a piece of Alpine gum as it will clear my sinuses within the half hour. I basically lived on this during a very bad allergy season I alternated between this and chamomile tea to prevent myself from building an imunity to either of these. You can also purchase eucalyptus oil and add this to your bath water. Add 4 to 5 drop per bath. You can also burn this oil in an oil burner and let it disinfect the home as well. This Herbal remedy is also great for building the immune system. You can also buy Halls cough drops as this will contain both menthol and eucalyptus it is natural and safe to use as long as taken as directed on the package LOL It also helps to clear the lungs of any build up. Taste aweful but works LOL
These are a few of the remedies I find extremely useful for myself. You can alternate between these or use a combination of 2 of the above suggested remedies in half doses.
As with any meds please take these with respect as they can give one a bad reaction if misused. AS with any meds you can build a resistance to these treatments so use them only as needed.
Now days many products come with aromatherapy values such as dishsoap and bath products. I suggest not using these herbals unless it is needed as you can build an immunity to them. If they become ineffective alternate to another for a while then go back to the other one in time.
Hope this helps.
Be well and walk in peace
Cats
