Aspirin should not be given to children and teenagers under 19 due to the risk of Reye’s Syndrome.

Read the labels of all medicines and talk to your pharmacist about possible interactions. Some medications (such as Claritin-D and Benadryl Allergy/Cold) contain multiple ingredients. So if you take Benadryl Allergy/Cold (which contains acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, phenylephrine) and also take Tylenol (acetaminophen), you may inadvertently overdose. Decongestants can help clear a stuffy nose and can be used as pills or as nasal sprays. Don’t use these for longer than three days. [2] X Research source Try pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or oxymetazoline (Afrin nasal spray). Antihistamines can be used for coughs due to allergies. Antihistamines containing diphenhydramine can make you sleepy . Antihistamines, like loratadine (Claritin, Claritin RediTabs, Alavert), do not usually make you sleepy. Expectorants are cough medicines for wet, mucus productive coughs because they help bring up mucus. [3] X Research source Cough suppressants reduce coughing.

Coughing up thick and/or a greenish-yellow phlegm Wheezing, or there is a whistling sound at the beginning or end of the breath Odd sounding coughs and having difficulty with breathing at the end of a cough Experiencing a fever (over 102°F or 38. 9°C in infants three to six months; 103°F or 39. 4°C in children and adults) Experiencing any shortness of breath

Put essential oils in your humidifier, like eucalyptus oil. You can also place a cloth with eucalyptus oil on it in the shower with you. Let the water hit the cloth and release the scent.

You can also drink juices, clear chicken broth, herbal teas, or vegetable broths. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. You can add honey and lemon to the water or tea.

Make sure you are getting enough vitamin B complex, vitamin C, zinc, and copper. You can take supplements to make sure you get enough of these vitamins and minerals. [8] X Research source

Spicy foods can promote sinus drainage and help ease cold symptoms. Garlic, onions, and mushrooms are foods that help with inflammation and provide anti-oxidants.

The sea salt may also help supply various minerals that can be useful for the immune system, like zinc, selenium, magnesium.

You can also cut a washed, whole lemon into thin slices (along with the skin and the seeds) and add to one cup of honey. Heat on a low flame for ten minutes with constant stirring, breaking up the lemon slices as you stir. Add ¼ to ⅓ cup water to the honey-lemon mixture and stir in while heating over the low flame. Refrigerate the mixture and take a tablespoon as needed. Lemon is often added because lemon juice contains high levels of Vitamin C. The juice of one lemon contains 51% of the daily Vitamin C requirement. Lemon juice also has antibacterial, and antiviral properties. You can also add garlic to the mixture. Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal properties, and stimulates the immune system. Peel two to three cloves of garlic and chop them as finely as possible. Or you can try ginger, which acts as an expectorant. Cut and peel about 1. 5 inches of fresh ginger root and finely grate it. Add either to the honey-lemon mixture before you add water. Do not give honey to any child under 12 months of age because there is a small risk of getting infant botulism. [13] X Research source

Eucalyptus Elecampane (Inula) Slippery Elm Fennel seed Camphor Hyssop Lobelia Mullein Thyme Spearmint and Peppermint Ginger

Eucalyptus Elecampane (Inula) Slippery Elm Fennel seed Camphor Hyssop Lobelia Mullein Thyme Spearmint and Peppermint Ginger

Eucalyptus Elecampane (Inula) Slippery Elm Fennel seed Camphor Hyssop Lobelia Mullein Thyme Spearmint and Peppermint Ginger

You can add some honey and lemon to taste.

Add one to two drops of any of the expectorant essential oils or one to two teaspoons of dried herb. Start with one drop to one quart of water. Once you add the herbs, boil for another minute, turn off the heat, move the pot to a comfortable area, and begin steaming. Cover your head with a large, clean cotton towel and place your head over the steaming pot. Close your eyes. Keep your face at least 12 inches away from the water. You want the heat to enter your nose, throat and lungs, but not burn yourself with heat. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth for five counts and then in and out through your mouth for two counts. Repeat for 10 minutes or as long as the water is still steaming. Try to blow your nose and cough during and after the treatment. You can do this every two hours or as often as your schedule permits.