Clobber a Cold Without Spending Your Hard, Cold Cash

Other than curling up in bed when you have a nasty cold, what’s the alternative? Try fighting the viral villain with one—or more—of these DIY remedies:

·        Steam kills cold germs on contact if water temperatures are 110°F or more. Herbs such as eucalyptus add a penetrating scent and have disinfectant properties. Put some fresh leaves in a bowl, pour boiling water over them, and drape a towel over your head and the bowl to make a “tent.” Lower your face over the bowl (carefully—you can scald yourself if the steam is too hot) and breathe in.

·        When you’re in artificially controlled environments with really dry air, like offices or airplanes, your nasal membranes dry out, and tiny cracks that invite viruses may form in your nasal passages. The best defense? Drink plenty of liquids and use saline nasal spray often to hydrate the tender membranes in your nose.

·        Make your own chest rub by adding 3 to 4 drops of an essential oil (try eucalyptus, lavender, or thyme) to 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Apply liberally to your chest, cover with a clean cloth, and settle into a comfy chair with a cozy afghan and a good book.

·        Try a bloody Mary—with or without the booze! Start with tomato juice, and add some lemon, a celery stalk, and horseradish, then drink it quickly. Tomato juice is full of vitamin C, but it’s the horseradish that really does the trick. Its powerful fumes will loosen congestion, making your cold more bearable.

 

Hardy cold viruses can live for hours on doorknobs, faucet handles, books, money—all the things we touch every day. Frequent hand washing is the single best way to avoid catching a cold or spreading your own. But all that lathering, rinsing, and drying sure can take a toll on your hands, leaving them rough, dry, and scaly.

You could treat yourself to one of those store-bought, super-duper hand lotions, but buying pricey potions can make your wallet sing the blues. So here’s a DIY concoction that’ll leave your hands soft and smooth, while keeping your wallet fat and happy:

 

Boil 1 tablespoon of dried rosemary, 2 tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers, and 4 cups of water in a small, uncovered pan over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature, and then strain. Store the liquid in a bottle and refrigerate, then apply the healing tonic with a cotton ball (or, if you have a spray bottle, you can spray it on instead), and let your hands air-dry.