Pamela’s Monday Musings

Pamela’s Monday Musings

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Pamela’s Monday Musings
Pamela’s Monday Musings
No One Likes Getting Sick + a recipe for the best comfort food

No One Likes Getting Sick + a recipe for the best comfort food

Pamela Salzman's avatar
Pamela Salzman
Jan 20, 2025
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Pamela’s Monday Musings
Pamela’s Monday Musings
No One Likes Getting Sick + a recipe for the best comfort food
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As the colder months settle in, it's not uncommon to feel under the weather. I recently came down with a cold and then a cough at the beginning of January and I feel like I bounced back more quickly than the doctor predicted I would. Whether it's a cold, the flu, or just a general feeling of malaise, here are some of my favorite remedies and some suggestions from my Instagram community to help you feel better and prevent a secondary infection. My recommendation - not one therapy works. Do as many as possible in combination with rest. Let's get you back on your feet!

1. Herbal and Natural Remedies

Tasha Rose Syrup: Tasha Rose offers a range of organic syrups designed to support respiratory health and alleviate coughs. Her Organic Congestion Relief Syrup is formulated to assist with mucus and phlegm release, providing relief from nasal, sinus, and chest congestion. This syrup contains ingredients like black elderberry, peppermint, rosemary, thyme, and sage, known for their respiratory benefits.

Manuka Honey: With its natural antibacterial properties, Manuka honey can help soothe a sore throat. I ate it straight off the spoon, but you can dissolve it in water or tea under 110 degrees F (so as not to kill the live compounds.) When selecting Manuka honey, it's important to consider the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) rating, which indicates the potency of its beneficial compounds. Higher UMF ratings correspond to higher concentrations of these compounds, offering greater health benefits.

Oil of Oregano: known for its powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, helping to support immune health, fight infections, and reduce inflammation. I add a few drops to room temp water. It’s strong but I swear by it!

Beekeepers Naturals Propolis Throat Spray and Lozenges: are natural, chemical-free products designed to support throat health. They contain propolis, a resin-like substance produced by bees, which has been used for centuries for its antimicrobial and healing properties.

2. Essential Tests

Covid, RSV, and Flu Tests: Ensure you're not dealing with a more serious illness.

3. Medication, Over-the-Counter Relief, and Supplements

Tessalon Perles: A prescription option for severe cough relief. Consult your doctor for this effective treatment.

Zicam: This zinc-rich remedy can shorten the duration of colds IF taken early.

Mucinex Nightshift: Since rest is essential and coughing while you sleep can interfere with that, a nighttime cough medicine can be helpful. I know there may be some ingredients in here that I would not normally ingest, but I am weighing the pros and cons. This helped me!

Nasal Sprays: Alkalol is a natural nasal spray that combines saline with herbal extracts to help relieve nasal congestion, clear mucus, and soothe irritated nasal passages. Its benefits include providing relief from allergies, colds, sinus infections, and dryness by moisturizing and flushing out pollutants and allergens from the nasal passages. Nasacort is another option.

Congaplex: is a dietary supplement made by Standard Process that contains a blend of whole food ingredients and herbal extracts. While it is not specifically marketed as a cold treatment, it is often used to support immune function and help the body respond to illnesses, including colds. The formula includes ingredients such as vitamin C, echinacea, and other herbs, which are believed to promote immune health and help the body fight infections. However, it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before using any supplement for illness management.

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC): is a supplement that helps replenish glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, and supports respiratory health. People often take NAC during a cold or cough because it can thin mucus, making it easier to expel, and may help reduce inflammation in the airways, potentially improving breathing and easing symptoms.

4. Comfort and Soothing Practices

A Neti Pot is a simple yet effective device used for nasal irrigation, offering several health benefits: clears nasal passages, reduces sinus infections, alleviates allergies, moisturizes the nasal cavity and improves breathing. I have been using one for decades and each of my kids has one.

Always use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled and cooled water to avoid infections.

Dissolve a teaspoon of non-iodized salt in the water to create a saline solution. Pre-mixed saline packets are also available.

Lean over a sink, tilt your head to one side, and pour the saline solution into one nostril, allowing it to flow out of the other. Breathe through your mouth.

After each use, wash the neti pot with soap and water, and let it dry completely.

For chronic sinus issues or allergies, daily use can be beneficial. Adjust frequency based on your needs.

Sleep with head elevated: helps reduce coughing and congestion by promoting better airflow and drainage. When your head is raised, gravity aids in preventing mucus from pooling in your sinuses and airways, which can exacerbate congestion and trigger coughing. It also helps reduce post-nasal drip, where mucus from the nose drips down the back of your throat, leading to irritation and coughing. By elevating the head, it can also ease pressure on the chest and lungs, making it easier to breathe. This position can lead to more restful sleep and alleviate symptoms of colds, allergies, or respiratory infections. I slept practically sitting up in bed LOL.

Humidifiers: Adding moisture to the air can relieve congestion. I love this humidifier. Use my link for 15% off. Not an affiliate link, just a discount extended to my community.

Shower Steamers: Infused with essential oils, these can provide relief from coughs.

6. Homemade Remedies

Boil Fresh Rosemary, Garlic, Lemon, and Ginger: This soothing tea is a powerhouse of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Try this recipe.

Ginger Shots: Take multiple ginger shots daily to help with a cold by providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, soothing sore throats, reducing congestion, and supporting the immune system to fight off the infection. You can buy fresh ginger juice or juice it yourself with a juicer.

Gargle with Warm Water, ACV, Honey, and Sea Salt: This can ease throat discomfort and fight bacteria.

Thyme Honey and Lemon Tea: a soothing herbal beverage made by infusing fresh or dried thyme with hot water, and adding honey and lemon juice.Let fresh thyme seep in hot water, add lemon and honey for a comforting drink.

7. Additional Tips

People sent me some really interesting remedies including the Wet Sock Treatment (a unique method to boost circulation and immunity), Vicks on Feet with Warm Socks ( a remedy that can provide comfort and improve circulation), Onion Bowl by the Bed (I have never done this but so many of my Persian friends encouraged me to! The idea is that onions can absorb bacteria and viruses in the air, potentially purifying the environment and preventing further illness. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting this claim, and it is considered more of a traditional or anecdotal practice.)

Nebulizer with Saline: Great for deep respiratory relief. Honestly, I have never used a nebulizer and therefore cannot recommend one. Feel free to chime in if you have experience.

I still love this Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Turmeric as my GO-TO meal if someone doesn’t feel well. It is the best! Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter I linked to access the recipe.

Remember, always consult with a healthcare professional if your symptoms persist or worsen. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Even More Musings is an extension of my weekly newsletter, Monday Musings. My newsletter is a sponsor-free zone and is fully supported by readers like you. Consider becoming a paid subscriber to get Even More Musings! Each week, I share my tips and tricks along with a new recipe. For only $5/month or $50/year (less than $1 a newsletter), you'll also gain access to the entire archive, featuring favorites like My New Hyper-fixation High-Protein Fluffy Breakfast Bowl  and the Hillstone Copycat Emerald Kale Salad.  This week I am sharing a recipe for a new and improved, lighter version of my childhood favorite comfort food, Tuna Noodle Casserole. Before you turn your nose up, you can make it with chicken or legumes instead of tuna. This one is a WINNER.

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