We have been sick and since I’m pregnant, I’m so careful about popping pills. Well, actually I have only taken 2 colds tablet so far and stopped at that. Also, with my sick 3-year old, it’s also hard to find him medicine that appropriate for his age, and that he will actually take. For myself, I relied on home remedies.

Power of Salt

Gurgling with wam water with dissolved salt relieves sore throat. The relief is not too instant but it did the work. It also cleared my nasal passage. This is definitely the home remedy that I am going to try with Matthew when he is older.

I should have thought about the power of salt, since while we were growing up, when we had cough and colds, my mother would take us the the beach and go for a soak/swim for 30 minutes a day. We didn’t actually had to drink or gurgle the salty water, but I think being surrounded by salty water helped. Our colds and cough took lesser time to linger.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Also, for the first time I tried, gurgling with warm water with apple cider vinegar. Supposedly, it heals strep throat in a day. But it was just too strong for me. My teeth just couldn’t handle the acid.

Vaporub

Rubbing vaporub on our chest, throat and back helps us clam down, relax and doze off. Actually, I grew up with vicks! It’s always on my mother’s medicine cabinet. We also use if for rashes, bug bites, and even gas pains.

I’ve also heard that rubbing vaporub on the feet, and then putting on socks also relieves coughing. I always do this on Matthew when he is coughing at night. I can’t really say that it made him stop coughing, ’cause sometimes he’s still couching even after I do this, but I continue to do so.