# Your home grown flu/cold feel better remedies **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843 "2015-05-26T02:53:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/1 "2015-05-26T02:53:55Z")
Ok I have just had the flu , or a cold, well something that made me feel less than sparkly. Other than the odd dose of ibuprofen or Advil PM when the shivers are really bad I tend to rely on sleeping and comfort snacks ( and a wife who can deal with manflu) Top of the list for me is lemon ginger tea, not exactly novel I know. Fill pan with water Cut two lemons (wash of the wax) into chunks and drop in Cut up a good chunk of ginger, throw that in Let boil, then simmer for an hour or two Pour into mug Add honey for sweetness (it can be pretty bitter) Add shot of High West Double Rye if the vitamin I is not too recently taken What’s your home grown recipe for dealing with the sniffles? ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_from\_CB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@Alex\_from\_CB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_from_CB)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2015, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/2 "2015-05-26T03:49:02Z")
I had a very bad cold or mild flu or some such a few months ago… I laid on the couch for 3 days and watched every episode of _Ray Donovan_. Frequently fell asleep and would have to constantly go back and re-watch. When the snot locker got too worn from blowing and rubbing it, I got some decongestant. Then I got better. Look forward to the next season of this series which starts in August, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2015, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/3 "2015-05-26T04:03:00Z")
Ingredients [ul] [li] fresh lemon juice (1 large or 2 small lemons)[/li][li] 1 tsp honey[/li][li] about 1 inch of cinnamon bark[/li][li] 5 or 6 dried cloves[/li][li] water[/li][li] small shot of dark rum (optional)[/li][li] fresh ginger[/li][li] optional - star anise[/li][/ul] [ol] [li]In a pan measure out about the amount of water it will take to 3/4 fill the mug you’re using[/li][li] Add cinnamon bark and cloves (and fresh ginger, star anise if you’re using them) - bring to boil and then let simmer for maybe 5 minutes[/li][li] put lemon juice, honey & rum into mug, when the water has simmered long enough strain and pour into the mug[/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![HelenGawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/4 "2015-05-26T18:26:11Z")
For simple but effective nasal & sinus relief, try oregano tea. Just what it sounds like. ---
**Author:** ![Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90ced4/32.png) [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waltzes_with_Cacti)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/5 "2015-05-29T14:32:18Z")
When I’m stuffed up, I swallow a teaspoon of hot Chinese mustard. Clears my nose up instantly. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/6 "2015-05-29T15:43:08Z")
My remedy. To a larger tumbler add: Ice Bitters Vermouth Bianco Brandy Drink. Repeat until unconscious. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/7 "2015-05-29T16:05:38Z")
Take the juice of 1 quart whiskey… ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/8 "2015-05-29T16:07:29Z")
Hot and sour soup. I also like a mixture of hot apple cider, a quirt of lemon, and some spiced rum. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/9 "2015-05-29T16:52:50Z")
Last head cold I used a cup of boiled water with a little tiger balm in it, just deeply inhaled the steam into my lungs and nose. Did it three times a day. It only takes a minute, as the water quickly cools, but it delivers big impact and immediately. (My blood pressure med makes me go old school to fight cold/flu symptoms.:D!) ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/10 "2015-05-29T17:04:58Z")
I have access to a decent herb shop in the city. Congestion Relief Tisane (“herbal tea”) 2 parts Coltsfoot 2 parts Mullein 1 part Yerba Santa 1 part Skullcap brew using a tea ball or pour loose into boiling-hot water, allow to steep 4-5 minutes (if loose, pour through tea strainer of course). Optional sweeteners: honey or molasses ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/11 "2015-05-31T04:13:01Z")
Eat a pint or so of some variant of [Tom Yum](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_yum) soup. If you can’t do that, make some cream of Campbell’s with lots of lemon pepper. Take a medium dose of your favorite OTC analgesic. Make strong sugary tea and add lemon and brandy or whiskey. Sip it while you take a warm bath with a pound of Epsom Salts added, maybe some minty thing added (I like washing with Dr. Bronner’s). Fall into bed with a stupid John Grisham novel or Law and Order rerun. Repeat as needed for a couple of days. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/12 "2015-05-31T05:19:00Z")
If I have a really bad cough, before I go to bed I take the hottest shower I can stand and cough everything up and spit. I try to breathe in steam, and get my upper chest right under the water. Then take a dose of nighttime liquid meds with expectorant and hop in to bed. I manage to get 6-8 hours of cough-free sleep before I have to get up and face the day. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/13 "2015-05-31T08:38:19Z")
‘Just one more turn’ video games… go into a trance. ---
**Author:** ![soonerblue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soonerblue/32/3302_2.png) [@soonerblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soonerblue)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/14 "2015-05-31T10:38:33Z")
An ancient recipe = Comanche Onion Syrup Onions high in sulphur are the best, the kind that make you cry. Chop or slice, barely cover w/water and cook on a low heat until they are mushy and form a syrup. Strain onions out, add equal amount of honey to onion syrup, mix well and store jar in a cool place. It’s a primitive sulfa drug, also a great antihistamine, and honey is antimicrobial. At the first sign of a throat tickle they’d give us kids a Tblsp. every few hours. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/15 "2015-05-31T15:56:11Z")
Since this is seeking opinions on medical treatments, I’ll move it over to IMHO ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/16 "2015-05-31T19:05:00Z")
> [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](#): > > When I’m stuffed up, I swallow a teaspoon of hot Chinese mustard. Clears my nose up instantly. Yes, this works quite well! I’ve used the Russian vodka trick. I don’t know if that’s the actual name for it but that’s what I’ve heard it called. Pour a shot of vodka and cover the top of the shot with black pepper. Do the shot, then go to bed and cover yourself up with all of your blankets. When I woke up I felt much better. ---
**Author:** ![Uniqueorn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uniqueorn/32/2807_2.png) [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/17 "2015-05-31T20:42:56Z")
Heat up beer. Drink it. Try not to throw up. Sleep. Feel better in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/18 "2015-05-31T21:22:23Z")
Some great suggestions, definitely going to add the cloves and cinnamon to my lemon tea. Felling much better here, but now have hankering for some Tom Yam soup or hot and sour. The Commanche onion syrup sounds interesting, doubt the wife will let me try it on the kids, but I will knock some up the next time. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/19 "2015-05-31T23:38:04Z")
Hot bath to help open up clogged nasal passages and then a package of cup of soup. Also a cat when I dry off. Feel better soon! ---
**Author:** ![No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_umlaut_for_U)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843/20 "2015-05-31T23:42:22Z")
Hot & Sour soup. Tea made with holy basil (tulsi). Cover it while steeping, and take a good snort of the steam when you uncover it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-home-grown-flu-cold-feel-better-remedies/720843.md?page=2)