Alternative health tips: herbal remedies for relieving congestion

Many people are turning to herbal remedies for general health problems such as the common cold or the flu. This is due to the huge amounts of side effects that have been experienced while using conventional medicines. Most herbs are less potent than conventional drugs and are safer to take. (This does not mean they are harmless. In fact, they can be very dangerous if doses are too high.)

With the stress of everyday life combined with the fact that we spend most of our time indoors around other people’s germs, it’s no wonder that we are more susceptible to the cold and flu. We spend millions of dollars on remedies each year including shots, prescriptions, and over-the-counter medicines. If you feel that you could do with a less potent drug to take care of the most common and uncomfortable symptom, congestion, then the herbal route just might do the trick. Remedies for relieving congestion due to the common cold, flu, or allergies can be obtained or made in the form of tablets or capsules, liquids, sprays, and oil rubs.

You can find all kinds of herbal supplements in capsule form. They are very convenient and require no preparation if bought over-the-counter. Because these herbs are finely ground to store inside the capsule they lose their potency more quickly than if you were to make the same thing from fresh ingredients. Tablets are made by pressing herbs at a mill into the desired shape and are sometimes coated thinly. Some capsules are swallowed and some are dissolved under the tongue. Be sure to watch the expiration date on these herbal supplements.

Teas are the most common herbal preparation. They are quick and easy to prepare and can be used in several different ways. They can be used as tea in a cup, soaked in a cloth for a compress, or poured into a steaming hot bath. Teas are steeped or simmered. To steep, you soak the herb in water until it starts to boil. Then it is removed from the heat and allowed to soak for a specified amount of time. Simmered teas are actually left in near boiling water for a specified amount of time. If using pre-made herbal tea bags remember that their potency might not be as great as fresh herbs and they should always be stored away from heat and light to preserve the freshness that is present.

Sprays are a form of herbal supplement that is placed under the tongue. In this way, the active ingredients enter the bloodstream much more quickly. People who have a hard time swallowing pills should consider using these herbal sprays. Essential oils are the chemical concentrations of a plant’s natural oils that are easily evaporated. They are very strong and usually should not be used directly on the skin. Some can be extremely toxic if taken internally. Aromatherapy is an example of using essential oils. Steeping herbs in oil for a specified amount of time over low heat or at room temperature makes infused oils that are rubbed onto the skin.

Colds and flu are caused from viruses that are highly contagious and have no cure. Choosing the best medicine for taking care of the symptoms can be very overwhelming.

To help this situation there are herbs that work well to boost your immune function and some that will take care of individual symptoms.

Herbs such as Echinacea, shiitake and reishi mushrooms, astragalus, ginseng, garlic, onion and lemon help the immune system to resist disease. These herbs can prevent you from getting the cold or flu in the first place or will help to ease the symptoms and provide a quicker recovery if you do get it. Use these ingredients in teas or add to your everyday meals. One of the greatest complaints of a cold, flu, or even allergies, is congestion. Because there are a so many herbs that can be used to ease this symptom, only a few will be mentioned here.

Hot steamy baths or showers are always helpful to ease congestion and coughs. You can add herbs such as eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, or thyme leaves, in tea form, to your bath to help open up those airways. Menthol is a component of peppermint and is a common ingredient in conventional cold medicines and rubs. Lemon and honey added to your cold treating teas can help ease the discomfort of a raw, swollen throat as well as open the airways. Lemon is also high in Vitamin C.

Sage is a great tea herb to treat sinus congestion, cold and flu. Use ¼ ounce of sage in a pint of boiled water. Cover and steep this for about 10 minutes. Take this same tea about 3 times per day. Sage is also known to be a good gargle to help sore throats. Ginger tea can also be prepared to help cough up congestion. You can also use herbs in your cooking to help ease congestion. Turmeric, thyme, ginger, and garlic are good examples. Add them to your cooking in the later stages to keep them potent. Create an oil rub with the diluted essential oil of peppermint to reduce congestion and help ease a headache.

Giving alternative medicines a chance before spending countless dollars on conventional medicines might be for you. Always be sure to do research first to make sure they won’t affect medicines you might already be taking or conditions you might already have. This is always the individual’s responsibility. Also check for proper dosages and start with the lowest dosage. If you are pregnant or nursing you should always consult a doctor before taking on your own treatments.