Currently suffering enormously from a cold and using my dear old grandma's cure of
whisky, Beechams powder and honey, all in hot water.

Anyone out there with similar elixirs ?

Sudafed nasal spray is amazing mate. Definitely worth buying some if you're all bunged up

I suffer from colds so often and have never found anything that's of much use to be honest. My old grandma, who was a bit Hylda Baker like with her use of the English language, used to tell me to suck a mental sweet. She didn't, was always Bene & Hot for her.

When I was a kid in the 90s I did work experience at
Burnley and met Jimmy Holland ( I think it was him... the memory is hazy)who told me the cure for a cold is to eat a bag of oranges.
Still do it if I get a cold

My granny would eat a teaspoon of Vicks.

Yup.

Funkydrummer wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:18 pm

Currently suffering enormously from a cold and using my dear old grandma's cure of
whisky, Beechams powder and honey, all in hot water.

Anyone out there with similar elixirs ?

Night Nurse - can't recommend it highly enough

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:21 pm

I suffer from colds so often and have never found anything that's of much use to be honest. My old grandma, who was a bit Hylda Baker like with her use of the English language, used to tell me to suck a mental sweet. She didn't, was always Bene & Hot for her.

when I lived in the UK I'd get 6-8 colds a year and they would all last a couple of weeks. Night Nurse over here in the US has 10% Alcohol in it and any cold I get now lasts 2 days tops, not sure if the ingredients are the same in the UK but it's worked wonders for me

Erm... have you not seen the news - you’re on your way out bud.

Seriously - overdose on vitamin c - health shop pills not the supermarket ones. Gone in a day. Keep taking them to stop ever getting a sniffle in the first place.

Orange juice, caffeine a d paracetamol

Citrus (hops)
Port,
And inhale olbas oil in very hot water.

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:26 pm

Night Nurse - can't recommend it highly enough

My Gran accidentally od'd on night nurse. No harm done, she just didn't wake up until about 11am, which for somebody in their eighties is half way through the afternoon.

timshorts wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:34 pm

My Gran accidentally od'd on night nurse. No harm done, she just didn't wake up until about 11am, which for somebody in their eighties is half way through the afternoon.

jeez !!!

Vicks First Defence, salt water gargling also make sure some goes down your nasal passage the chlorine attacks the cold virus and olbas oil in boiling water inhale the fumes.

Whenever I start to feel unwell I drink as much alcohol as I can. Wake up with a horrific hangover, then a day later I’m cured

How can anyone get a cold this winter with Covid?

Top Claret wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:02 pm

How can anyone get a cold this winter with Covid?

I have and I don’t go out

Vimto honey with bene and hot works very well

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:26 pm

Night Nurse - can't recommend it highly enough

I take that after a heavy 2 day session
Streyt to sleep

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:15 pm

Vimto honey with bene and hot works very well

I haven’t got a cold but I have all those ingredients. Giving it a blast now. Wemberlee wemberlee

Top Claret wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:02 pm

How can anyone get a cold this winter with Covid?

I havent heard of Anyone having a cold in 12 months . Very rare these days.

Double shot of whisky, table spoon of honey, tea spoon of lemon juice and a bit of warm water.

WadingInDeeper wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:29 pm

Double shot of whisky, table spoon of honey, tea spoon of lemon juice and a bit of warm water.

Can’t argue with that. Whisky all in.

One good thing about lockdown is I’ve picked up no illnesses in about 12 months (touch wood). I’ve barely been in contact with anybody for most of that where as I’m usually seeing 10-15 people a day. I’m sure I’ll suffer twice as bad when I finally do get back to being in contact with other humans

I've had a cold since I had kids... going on 9 years now

Even in lockdown and literally not coming into contact with anyone else, still getting sneezes, blocked nose, throat etc!

Edit : was never ill a day in my life before that!

My dad always used drink rum ‘all in’s.

That is; a couple of slices of lemon, teaspoon or two of brown sugar, cover with dark rum and top up with hot water.

After a few of these you don’t care about the cold.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:21 pm

I suffer from colds so often and have never found anything that's of much use to be honest. My old grandma, who was a bit Hylda Baker like with her use of the English language, used to tell me to suck a mental sweet. She didn't, was always Bene & Hot for her.

I used to suffer from regular colds (every 3 weeks) every winter then about 30 years ago my boss recommended that I take zinc and vitamin C tablets every day. It worked for me, I only get 2 or 3 colds per winter now but when I get one now they are real barstewards.

Mckenzies smelling salts if sinuses bunged up, olbas oil neat on pillow, vicks vapour rub on chest & under nostrils the cheaper stuff Bells just works the same, & lemsips the cheaper stuff galpharm works the same, I’d probably dodge the brand names the cheaper versions contain the same active ingredients at a fraction, if coughing benylin original I don’t know what’s in it but i know it knocks you out.

Yeah the original Benylin is the business. None of that non-drowsy nonsense, the proper stuff in the purple bottle. Think it’s pharmacy only and obviously don’t take if you’re going to be driving/operating heavy machinery any time soon.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:13 pm

I have and I don’t go out

CT, not being funny, perhaps you should get more fresh air, get those lungs working harder. a nice walk up Pendle Hill?

Swizzlestick wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 7:26 pm

Yeah the original Benylin is the business. None of that non-drowsy nonsense, the proper stuff in the purple bottle. Think it’s pharmacy only and obviously don’t take if you’re going to be driving/operating heavy machinery any time soon.

I’ve heard the night nurse does the same thing making you drowsy but I’ve never tried it, but that benylin original you can only fight it for so long you are guaranteed lights out, it loosens up for phlegm as well that’s deep seated.

Bene n hot.

Makes being full of a cold tolerable. Very tolerable.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:13 pm

I have and I don’t go out

That's a really interesting point.

How did you get a cold?

I've not heard of anyone with flu this year, you know, proper flu.

Inhalations 2 or 3 at least, a day.
Peppermint (menthol), Eucalyptus, Lemon (citrous) and Tea Tree, to act on the virus.

2 drops of each essential oil. Under the towel and breathe the steam. It will clear your sinus and relieve the head stuff.

Breathing is also important, to cleanse and expand one's lungs.

In for 5
Hold for 5
Out 7
Hold 5
Repeat.

A wee whisky will do the power of good too.

Are you sure it’s a common cold?

Only ask because you say you are suffering enormously.... doesn’t sound like a common cold that. In my experience, common colds are mildly irritating. Suffering enormously sounds something like flu, which DOES make you suffer enormously.

Anyway, try night nurse night-time capsules. Make you feel drowsy but what the hell, you’re going to bed. Use the day-time capsules for daytime.

Whatever ingredients you decide to include in your ‘all in’ be it honey, lemon, whisky, or even if you making up a satchet of a over counter preparation....use Boiled Lemonade, not water as the base liquid
Works a treat

Time for some official medical advice

Common colds are viruses. No need for antibiotics

The most important thing is staying well hydrated. Other than that its about symptomatic relief.

Binging on vitamins won't make any difference in the time it takes for the body to naturally clear it. Simple paracetamol and ibuprofen (or combined in a nice hot drink sachet with a decongestant) can be used if you're feeling particularly under the weather.

Some people feel absolutely awful with a common cold. Usually its because its aggravating an underlying chronic condition, even non serious ones. This could cause a really bad cough. Or a really bad head. Again, symptomatic relief. So cough syrup, or pain killers. And if the sinuses are really giving you a bad head, you can use decongestant drops/spray. But I cannot stress this enough... NEVER USE FOR MORE THAN A WEEK AT A TIME. I cannot tell you how many people have been referred to me with sinus problems, only for the cause to be chronic use of decongestant nasal sprays. Some people find steam inhalation useful too.

Other than that, actually why not concoct a herbal tea with lemon and honey. If it makes you feel better, go for it

Up to about four years ago I used to get three or four bad colds a year.

Then they just stopped. Haven't had one since.

Sleeping at night was the problem. I never found anything to help. Fortunately they only lasted a couple of days.

Thank you so much for all your contributions and ideas which have been taken on board.

I have raided the medicine cabinet and found:-

1. Menthol crystals.
2. Olbas oil.
3. Vicks vapour rub.
4. Night nurse.
5. Day and night nurse.

Someone has very kindly, and unbeknown to me, stocked the cabinet very well. So it's all
grateful thanks to my nurse partner who, because of the lockdown, I haven't seen for a fortnight or so.

Stay safe everyone, and UTC

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 8:01 pm

That's a really interesting point.

How did you get a cold?

I've not heard of anyone with flu this year, you know, proper flu.

You won’t do nobody is talking about it because everybody’s preoccupied with Covid, even if you did have flu or cold you wouldn’t know for certain you wouldn’t even necessarily see a doctor well you couldn’t anyway not in person over the telephone yes, there’s no way anybody over the telephone can 100% diagnose without a physical examination. People with flu & cold will sensibly be staying indoors playing safe in case it’s covid.

That old adage of “prevention is better than cure “ is as true today as it has ever been.

Just do the basics:

A. Don’t go out in the winter without having a hot breakfast.
B. Keep warm on the inside as well as the outside, hot drinks etc.
C. Ware warm clothes using many layers rather then a thick poorly insulated overcoat
D. Real 100% Wool is very warm and seems to have gone out of fashion in favour of this breathable stuff.

Here ends the lecture

Cold Zyme

Spray into the mouth at the first sign and slows it right down, makes it less severe by reducing viral load. I also take echinacea at the first sign. Seems to work.

Trials are suggesting the former also does the same for Covid-19. Google it. I’ve had 2 packets in my cupboard for the last year, just in case. Amazes me we don’t get people saying this at the Number 10 podium, even if it is only a hunch.

As stated above the Common Cold is a virus spread only by person to person transmission in the form of droplets in the air or by touching infected surfaces. However, CT states that he doesn't go out so either somebody brings it in or it isn't the Common Cold. Cannot understand how a person would catch a Common Cold whilst following all of the Covid precautions of face coverings and washing hands regularly especially before eating.

Hope you make a speedy recovery CT and stay warm and well hydrated.

Funkydrummer wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:18 pm

Currently suffering enormously from a cold and using my dear old grandma's cure of
whisky, Beechams powder and honey, all in hot water.

Anyone out there with similar elixirs ?

Have you considered getting a Covid Test? I'm currently doing some shifts for the NHS Test & Trace, I deal exclusively with confirmed cases and a significant portion have not had the typical three symptoms you're told to look out for (Fever, Cough, Taste & Smell).

Along side those main three there are 8-9 other symptoms we ask specifically about and several are shared with the common cold: Extreme Tiredness, Headaches, Diarrhea, Runny Nose, Sneezing, Sore Throat, Muscle Aches or Join Pain.

I know the plural of anecdote is not data but I've heard "I thought I just had a cold" a lot. Better safe than sorry, hope it's nothing and you get well soon.
If you want some actually clinical advise call 111

CombatClaret wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:31 pm

Have you considered getting a Covid Test? I'm currently doing some shifts for the NHS Test & Trace, I deal exclusively with confirmed cases and a significant portion have not had the typical three symptoms you're told to look out for (Fever, Cough, Taste & Smell).

Along side those main three there are 8-9 other symptoms we ask specifically about and several are shared with the common cold: Extreme Tiredness, Headaches, Diarrhea, Runny Nose, Sneezing, Sore Throat, Muscle Aches or Join Pain.

I know the plural of anecdote is not data but I've heard "I thought I just had a cold" a lot. Better safe than sorry, hope it's nothing and you get well soon.
If you want some actually clinical advise call 111

Hi combat, I am currently in isolation as both my parents (aged 93 and 91) tested positive on Friday. Because of these "cold symptoms" I registered yesterday for a test at home kit and am awaiting delivery. Because of mum and dad's vulnerability I have hardly seen them for months, and even then mainly through an open window.

A very diificult situation for me and my sister as they need a lot of care and attention, despite each having 4 carers per day.

tim_noone wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 6:28 pm

I havent heard of Anyone having a cold in 12 months . Very rare these days.

I used to work with bank notes and always seemed to have a cold.
A more cashless society must be helping.

You forgot the smiley.

nelincsclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:59 pm

I used to work with bank notes and always seemed to have a cold.
A more cashless society must be helping.

Night Quill
Heavy sweet shirt
Go to bed
Works a treat for me

A doctor once told me that if you treat a cold it will be gone in 2 weeks otherwise it will last a fortnight.

As a youngster, I was always given hot milk and whisky with a couple of teaspoons of sugar at the first sign of a cold. Carried that on all my life but with more and more whisky, swear it works.