Fever and pain:
Medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) will help decrease fever, sore throat pain, and relieve body aches.
High fever usually is not associated with the common cold and may be indicative of "the flu"—a more severe illness caused by an influenza virus. Report to your doctor any temperature greater than 102°F.
Never give a child aspirin or medications containing aspirin. In children younger than 12 years, aspirin has been associated with Reye syndrome—a potentially fatal liver disorder.
Cough:
The cough is a reflex that occurs when your airway passages are irritated. Cough preparations are usually divided into 2 main categories:
Suppressants: These act by blocking your cough reflex. As a general rule, use a suppressant for a dry, hacking cough. The agent usually found in over-the-counter cough suppressants is dextromethorphan (Benylin, Pertussin CS or DM, Robitussin Maximum Strength, Vicks 44 Cough Relief).
Expectorants: A cough associated with excessive mucus production, or phlegm, warrants use of an expectorant. Guaifenesin is the most common active ingredient in over-the-counter expectorants (such as Anti-Tuss, Fenesin, Robitussin, Sinumist-SR).
Sore throat:
Lozenges and topical sprays can provide relief from sore throat pain. In particular, lozenges containing zinc may relieve many cold symptoms better than other types of throat lozenges. The benefits of zinc are not proven, however, and it can cause stomach upset.
A warm saltwater gargle can relieve a scratchy throat.
Nasal congestion:
Nasal decongestants help relieve clogged nasal and sinus passages caused by excessive mucus secretion.
Alternative therapies can work very well to help relieve cold symptoms. A number of essential oils can help in different ways to relieve the symptoms of colds, coughs and blocked up nose. The oils which are recommended to help colds Lavender, Eucalyptus, Marjoram, Niaouli, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Tea Tree and Thyme.
The two most useful methods for using essential oils are inhalations and a bath although massaging the chest and throat areas can also be beneficial.
Steam inhalation using Eucalyptus essential oil, Peppermint essential oil, Rosemary essential oil and Tea Tree essential oil (or any combination of these four oils) can help to clear the nasal passages and soothe the inflamed mucous membranes whilst at the same time the essential oils can help to kill many bacteria. The hot steam itself is also a hostile environment for viruses. At night time it is a good idea to use Lavender essential oil combined with one of the above as Lavender can aid sleep. Another good way to enhance sleep is to have a warm bath using Lavender and Marjoram essential oils and place a bowl of Lavender oil in the bedroom.
When you first feel the effects of a cold then bathing with Tea Tree oil can sometimes help to stop the cold developing.
Peppermint essential oil has warming and stimulating properties and so it can help the chilly feelings which often accompany a cold , runny nose, sneezing and fever. Peppermint can also be used for cooling feverish conditions and Peppermint essential oil can also induce sweating which can help to reduce fever in a natural way. Used in steam inhalations it can help to clear the nasal passages and sinuses.
The practice of burning Rosemary essential oils on hospital wards to help to combat infection was a practice which has been carried out for many years in France until very recently. Rosemary essential oil is renowned for its piercing qualities which make it valuable for respiratory problems including the common cold, catarrh and sinusitis.
Tea Tree essential oil has many uses but for colds try burning it in a diffuser or oil burner and also use in a bath to help the body fight the infection.
Niaouli is a good oil to use for respiratory infections where they affect the chest, throat or nose and is good used in chest rubs (diluted in a carrier oil). It can work as a powerful stimulant so it is best not used at bed time.
