It's winter again!!

[Islamicelt]

Salaams and hello everyone,

Im sure there are a billion posts on this, but I did a quick scroll through and didn't find anything about natural healing remedies for colds and headaches.

Ive been working with natural healing for a few years now and I have tried a few tricks but I want to know what works for others. I have been using nettles for colds, but I cave and take aspirin once a headache comes on. When it comes to headaches, I have ZERO patience (they are just the worst!) and I want a quick fix. I tried tiger balm which was soothing but it didn't really seem to cure anything, just make the pain "cold". Also, I very unsuccessfully and disgustingly tried willow tree bark for a headache cure (I went out and cut bark off a willow tree and made a tea with it, forgetting to wash the bark and realizing that it was in my cow pasture the entire time...let's just say "essence of cow" does not cure headaches...at all). I tried milk thistle to clear out any infections but after an "oopsie" moment in high school when I simply made a tea using milk thistle and did not realize that it is a very potent herb and can cause some MAJOR stomach discomfort if its use is not in small doses, I have scared myself out of using milk thistle anymore. lol.

So what are your tips and tricks for curing yourselves from the winter sicknesses? For my own medical background, I do not take any kind of medication at all and I am not expecting so don't worry about herbs mixing with any of my prescription medications.

[LoneWalker]

For colds - drink plenty of water, get some exercise, get extra sleep

[DreamOfaRedBird]

Here is my oriental medicine treatment method for colds in the early stages.

Vigorous massage to the neck, upper back, shoulders and the outsides of arms. (If the arms are hanging straight down by your sides). Apply Red tiger balm to the upper back and neck (red when the cold is in early stages, runny nose itchy throat, white for when the phlegm is thick and sore throat severe). apply pressure and massage the point Large Intestine 4 (roughly in the webbing on the outside of the hand in the webbing between thumb and index finger) on both hands.

Make some ginger tea by slicing an inch or more of fresh root ginger into slices and boil in a couple of cups of water until the water is good, yellow and 'gingery' Add a teaspoon of demerera sugar if desired. Guzzle this down and wrap up warm, hot water bottle, get in bed, sweat it out.

This will not cure the cold completely but bring it on quicker and clear it without it 'going deeper' and becoming a lingering cold.

For headaches there are many acupressure points that are useful. Are you talking about a headache in relation to a cold? where abouts is the headache? Front? Back? Side?

[skydove]

When I feel colds or a sore throat threatening I make up a huge mug of ginger tea- tea bag and or fresh slices, lemon, dried elderberries and honey.
Then get somewhere warm or wrap up well including hands head and feet, hot water bottle at your back, drink it down and do a short meditaion with LBE. Ask for healing to come into you, if you drop off to sleep enjoy. Otherwise try to get a few early nights.
Tumeric and garlic added to foods keeps the circulation going. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables avoid junk food. Drink enough water - hot in cold weather
When your out in crowds breathe through your nose, avoid talking and wash your hands and face when you come back again. Wear a hat scarf and gloves in cold weather.
A daily brisk walk in the fresh air helps too.
I know I'm sounding like everyones mother, particularly my own!

[Islamicelt]

well I woke up today with a sore throat...it looks like ginger and I are going to have to become close friends I will have to pick some up tomorrow.

[Kris Hughes]

Echinacea purpura. I have found this to be among the best things, especially if you take it the moment you suspect you are getting a cold, and continue for 3 to 10 days. There are all sorts of tablets and things available, but the best one I have found is the "Echinaforce" drops made by Vogel. They are available in most countries. They seem to be a little more effective than a traditional tincture. I think they are a highly concentrated decoction, but can't remember for sure.

[Aigeann]

Get enough sleep. I find when I'm walking around tired all the time, soon I'm sick. If I don't overdo, then I don't get sick. YMMV

[BlazeLeeDragon]

Salaams and hello everyone,

Im sure there are a billion posts on this, but I did a quick scroll through and didn't find anything about natural healing remedies for colds and headaches.

Ive been working with natural healing for a few years now and I have tried a few tricks but I want to know what works for others. I have been using nettles for colds, but I cave and take aspirin once a headache comes on. When it comes to headaches, I have ZERO patience (they are just the worst!) and I want a quick fix. I tried tiger balm which was soothing but it didn't really seem to cure anything, just make the pain "cold". Also, I very unsuccessfully and disgustingly tried willow tree bark for a headache cure (I went out and cut bark off a willow tree and made a tea with it, forgetting to wash the bark and realizing that it was in my cow pasture the entire time...let's just say "essence of cow" does not cure headaches...at all). I tried milk thistle to clear out any infections but after an "oopsie" moment in high school when I simply made a tea using milk thistle and did not realize that it is a very potent herb and can cause some MAJOR stomach discomfort if its use is not in small doses, I have scared myself out of using milk thistle anymore. lol.

So what are your tips and tricks for curing yourselves from the winter sicknesses? For my own medical background, I do not take any kind of medication at all and I am not expecting so don't worry about herbs mixing with any of my prescription medications.

Unfortunately quick fixes are not always the best, AS they tend to treat symptoms and not the cause. Modern medicine is best for quick fixes in my opinion. Healing is process. However to avoid being sick I recommend maintaining your health through exercise and diet, practice cleanliness such as washing your hands etc. there are various vitamins and herbs you can take to maintain your health. Also a interesting old fashion method is to take a single shot of whiskey once day. they use to give kids a shot of whiskey on the way to school during cold season, and apparently it helped. I'm not saying this is the best method merely and interesting one to research and find what it is about whiskey that made it work for winter weather.

[nia-ceridwyn]

I have always found that hot tea with honey and lemon help the sore throat that often accompanies a cold. It also helps head congestion. My favorite 'remedy' though is chicken soup. Homemade if you can get it/make it yourself, but the last time I got a cold I just bought it at the grocery store, and ate it every day until the cold let up. I also drank orange juice to keep up the vitamin C.

That being said, I also rely on modern medicine - NyQuil and DayQuil did wonders for allowing me to get the sleep I needed, and get through the day without being miserable.

[kukl]

Traditionally late summer provides what you need to get you through the winter. Meadowsweet is almost identical to aspirin, but natural and FREE! I'm not to sure how to preserve it for winter use though, maybe a tincture or dried for herbal tea. Also rosehips are packed with vitamin C which helps prevent you catching a cold. Prevention rather than cure yes. Lots of great recipes, rosehip and crab apple jelly is great with cheese or cold meat. Good luck, it's about to get really cold.