I'm sick - same as other boards

[~Megan~]

I don't know if this is the right place to post this but I need some help.

I'm experiencing some congestion and a sore runny nose, sore throat and a sinus headache right now. I'm breastfeeding so I don't want to take any traditional medicines that can lower my supply. We cosleep so I don't want to take anything to make me out of sorts.

Any safe herbal remedies that I can take? Any advice is appreciated. TIA

[Cindi]

Looking at your zip code you may be in a rainy area and this may not be an issue, but if your heat is running and drying out the air, make sure and get a humidifier (or open the window if the air outside is moist.) If you baby gets congested too a walk in the misty air (at least here in no. Cal) was recommended by our ped. I don't know much about herbs so I'll let the others chime in now.

[~Megan~]

yep, we've got moist air covered here!

[chfriend]

Decongestants can dry up your supply. Guaifenesin makes the mucous thinner...doesn't affect supply. We use Naturade Children's Expectorant for cold symptoms. Tylenol/Ibuprofen don't affect supply either. A vaporizor (the hot kind) with camphor and eucalyptus works wonders. Hope you feel better soon!

[i'm amy]

sinus trouble

Ever heard of sinus irrigation? This is an Ayurvedic remedy for sinus trouble, related to Yoga, too, in order to have easier breathing. I bought something called a "Neti pot", which looks like a short elongated tea pot. You can probably find it or order it through a health food store. You fill this with a little sea salt, a pinch of baking soda, and warm filtered water, stick the spout up one nostril at a time, tilt your head over the sink and let the water flow out the other nostril. The basic idea is to rinse all the mucus, dust, pollen, infection, allergenic stuff out of your sinuses. It is a little weird at first to get the hang of it. Anytime I have allergies or a cold, I immediately do this, once, twice or even three times a day. It is simple, but really really works, to keep things from becoming a very painful infection.

[glad2bemama]

We have just had the flu her in our house and the thing that seems to have been the lifesaver was Grapefruit Seed extract.

Use Grapefruit Seed Extract in drops in your juice or water and Grapefruit Seed Extract nasal spray. these things are all natural-- none of the junk and they work as a nutribiotic.

Good luck! Oh and I second the humidifier thing... works wonders in our house-- especially since my little one has asthma.

Feel better!