Over the period of the last seventy-two hours I have had, perhaps, an aggregate of five hours of sleep. Combination of work, stress, pain, jet lag, and this dmmnable cold/flu I picked up shortly after returning to this country. That’s aggravated by my tendency to have perverse reactions to drugs. Things that bring decongestion and pain relief to others bring me increased congestion and heightened pain. If it were predictable it would be one thing but, sadly, it’s not. Just maddening.
Try medical marijuana………
Tee- hee
I don’t find OTC cold meds helpful either, as they sometimes exacerbate rather than ameliorate the problems. Instead, I rely on heavy doses of Vit C, plain honey and lemon hot drinks or when spiked with something stronger called Hot Toddies, Advil gel caps for pain, and a natural nasal spray — Sinus Buster –which has capsaicin pepper as the main ingredient.
Hope you are able to sleep better, Dave, as that will help the recovery process.
Nice chicken noodle soup:
Asian Chili Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients
o 1 tablespoon oil
o 1 tablespoon sesame oil
o 1 onions, chopped
o 2 celery ribs, sliced 1/4 inch
o 4 garlic cloves, minced
o 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
o 2 tablespoons chili powder
o 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes ( add more if you like a lot of heat)
o 1 1/2 quarts chicken broth
o 1 cup crushed tomatoes ( from a can)
o 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
o 3 tablespoons fish sauce ( nam pla or nuoc mam)
o 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
o 3/4 lb spaghettini or 3/4 lb rice noodles
o 1/2 lb bok choy, sliced 1/4 inch ( add more if you like)
o 1/2 lime, juice of
o 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Directions
1. In a large pot heat oils over medium heat.
2. Add onion, celery, garlic, ginger, chili powder and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to medium low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring now and then.
3. Add the broth, tomatoes, chicken, fish sauce, 1/2 cup cilantro and bring to a simmer. Cook, covered, for 1/2 hour.
4. While the soup cooks bring a pot of water to boil and cook the spaghettini to al dente. Drain.
5. Add spaghetti, bok choy and lime juice to the soup. Cook for 5 minutes.
6. Garnish with the 1/4 cup cilantro and serve.
Sublingual vitamin B-complex
C as jan says
Hot toddies as jan says
I prefer aspirin
Heating pad
Warm blanket
Furry puppy
Gaelic Storm – music
Kid Creole – music
Rolling Stones – music
Beatles – LOVE – music
Errol Flynn-film
Veronica Lake – film
Nashville – film
And warmest thoughts from the Pelican State.
I always get sick after overseas trips.
What do you think of a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a hot bath jan?
I haven’t tried this, but:
GINGER HERBAL WARMING TEA
The next time you have a chill you can’t shake, try this warming tea.
10 to 12 thin slices of fresh ginger root
4 cups of water
Juice of 1 orange
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup (optional)
Place ginger root and water in a pan, and boil 10 minutes. Strain. Add orange and lemon juices and honey. Consume as a warming tea. Several large cups consumed in a row or drunk in a hot bath can elevate the body temperature and promote perspiration.
This sweating therapy may help break a fever or reduce congestion.
And piss a frog (off):
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=3649169309116&set=vb.1270958814&type=2&theater
All great suggestions so far. I especially endorse the saline nasal spray (never tried the capsaicin kind but the plain stuff has greatly reduced the duration of my illnesses since I’m prone to developing sinus infections.)
High doses of vitamin C and B complex, along with zinc (starting the zinc at the first sign of illness is best but I’ve had decent results even when I don’t start it immediately.)
Yes to Janis’ eucalyptus oil bath- followed by a hot herbal compress on the head and neck (any aromatics like rosemary, lavender- it’s the heat that helps but the herbs add a pleasant touch.)
And Janis- I’m definitely making that soup soon.
It’s really good, CS. I forget where it came from. Likely the Food Network.
I find hot and sour good too when I’m ill.
Look at this. The boy has the sniffles and here come all the electronic mamas to wipe his nose.
Where’s Steve, the emergency doc? You got anything else?
And , hell, they’re professionals.
Chicken soup and rest. Having a cat on your lap or a warm friendly dog helps too.
Steve
You sound like a good candidate for hypnosis or self-hypnosis. You can use it to get to sleep with no need for drugs whatsoever.
Jim Beam, Coke and Pseudoephedrine.
PD, suggesting this man take pseudoephedrine is probably like suggesting Jim Beam and coke.
How aare conditionsup there, M. Dave? Could you sunbathe a bit?
It’s lovely here. Just the right warmth for sun-kissing.
Damn sticky keeyboard.
Janis-Thx for the reference. Who would have guessed that the Captain Underpants author would be the most banned author in the US?
Steve
Hunh?
Oh, I see. Mr. Crider keeps one of the most curious sites, and is an entertaining writer in his own right.
His Dan Rhodes series is charming in a witty way.
A friend has been recovering from pneumonia. She uses essential oils this way:
I used a blend of eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender oils mixed with a little almond oil – the essential oils by themselves can burn. The mixture was primarily eucalyptus – 15 drops or so – with about 5 drops each of the peppermint and lavender. When I was at my sickest, rubbing that mixture on my chest and neck and on the soles of my feet seemed to ease the overall body aches and the wheezing. Morning and night – I really noticed it if I missed one.
___
I can’t vouch for any of that. It could be the placebo effect for all I know.