| There are more than 100,000 over-the-counter (OTC) | | | | so gentle they can often be combined for maximum |
| drugs that you can buy without a prescription and they | | | | results. |
| all have one thing in common: they are serious | | | | To treat upper respiratory or bronchial ailments, herbal |
| medicines that need to be taken with care. | | | | teas, tinctures or cough syrups containing Elderberry, |
| Over-The-Counter (OTC) cold medicines and cough | | | | Nettles, Mullein, Licorice Root, Osha Root, and immune |
| syrups are made with harsh ingredients like | | | | system boosters like Goldenseal and Echinacea are a |
| Phenylpropanolamine (PPA), Dextromethorphan or | | | | great place to start. |
| Codeine, which can put some people at increased risk | | | | For a sore throat try Slippery Elm lozenges or a drop |
| for significant - and sometimes serious - drug | | | | of Organic Tea Tree essential oil in a spoonful of |
| interactions with other over-the-counter medications - | | | | honey added to a cup of Sage or Elderberry tea. You |
| never mind the regular unpleasant side effects like | | | | can make your own sore throat gargle with a cup of |
| drowsiness or brain fog. This is especially true for | | | | Sage or Chamomile tea, a tablespoon of Apple Cider |
| people with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, | | | | Vinegar, and a spoonful of honey with a drop of |
| heart disease, or high blood pressure, the elderly, and | | | | Geranium essential oil. This mixture is even more |
| small children. | | | | powerful if you infuse the honey with sage before |
| In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics has | | | | adding the essential oil. |
| documented the ineffectiveness and potential toxicities | | | | For fast relief of congestion whether due to colds and |
| of OTC cough and cold medicines in children, and the | | | | flu or seasonal allergies, reach for an essential oil |
| FDA issued an advisory to remove | | | | remedy that includes two types of Eucalyptus |
| Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) --a common constituent of | | | | (Radiata and Polybractae), Cedarwood, Naiouli, and |
| OTC decongestants-- from those products because | | | | Spike Lavender essential oils to open nasal passages |
| of concern for increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. In | | | | and improve breathing. Use it in a diffuser or simply |
| addition to side effects of the various ingredients, OTC | | | | add a couple of drops to a bowl of steaming hot |
| cough and cold preparations also present potential | | | | water, place a towel over your head and breathe in |
| hazards due to dosing errors. And there are | | | | the fragrant steam. |
| environmental consequences that come with throwing | | | | Another option is to add a couple of drops to a cup of |
| those old expired meds (both prescription and OTC) | | | | Epsom Salt, stir it or mix it by hand, and add it to a hot |
| down the drain or flushing them down the toilet. | | | | bath. This will help relieve congestion and soothe joint |
| Don't be bamboozled into thinking that the only | | | | and muscle aches and pains commonly associated |
| effective way of dealing with a common ailment is to | | | | with colds and flu, while flushing out toxins that |
| take harsh meds. Next time you're tempted to reach | | | | contribute to the exaggeration of these symptoms. |
| for the Nyquil, try an herbal, homeopathic, or essential | | | | For runny noses and itchy, watery eyes, try a |
| oil-based natural remedy instead. These can be | | | | homeopathic remedy for allergies or hay fever --these |
| remarkably effective at addressing a wide range of | | | | can be very effective at drying out sinuses regardless |
| symptoms associated with colds and flu, run-of-the-mill | | | | of the actual cause of the symptoms. |
| aches and pains, and even mild cases of anxiety or | | | | Of course, the best remedy for the common cold or |
| depression, without the added burden on your liver and | | | | flu is to get as much rest as possible. Be sure to have |
| kidneys that comes with over-use of OTC | | | | plenty of Chamomile tea and some Lavender essential |
| medications, or the risk of increased blood pressure | | | | oil to help you get a good night's rest. |
| from cough and cold medicines. And because they are | | | | |