Cures For the Common Cold
If you are wondering why things have been a little patchy around here in the past few days it is because I am all of a shiver with the kind of common cold that isn’t in too much of a hurry to take it’s leave. Indeed my Darlings, I am in such a state, that my friend has just recoiled at the sight of me. Oh yes. She recoiled.
I have, you see, been blessed with a runny red nose, a rather spectacular cold sore, a hacking cough and just for kicks, a red circle, the size of a penny on my forehead, about which I can offer no explanation, other than the possibility that it is kind of alien abduction branding that used to bewilder Mulder and Scully.
In short I’m gorgeous and I’m plainly not going out today.
What’s a girl to do? Look after herself, that’s what. Indulge in a range of tiny little indulgent cures and really rather enjoy wallowing in sniffly nosed hell…
1. The Chamomile Facial. Being the kind of woman always in possession of a chamomile
2. Short stories. As I’ve go the attention span of a gnat today, short stories seem the way forward for a quiet half hour of reading. And so I’ve trawled around Amazon and selected Katherine Mansfields “The Garden Party and Other Stories” for my Kindle, and when everything else is done I’m going to curl up and indulge in a little old-fashioned sorrow, delivered in the joyful way only Katherine Mansfield can.
3. I’m wearing a polo neck. A tight black one. I look like the Lady from Milk Tray and as I have a collection of these cosy items, I have done all week, but I’m working on the basis that they keep my neck and chest warm and coupled with a lilac velvet trimmed thermal vest and a cosy cardigan, it’s the snuggliest outfit I can come up with.
4. Try as I might, I’m just not a lover of honey, but when it comes to battling a yukky cold and a nasty scratchy throat, nothing soothes quite like it. So I’m sipping warm water with the juice of an entire lemon and a spoonful of lavender honey in it and hoping for the best.
5. I’ve lined a tin with greaseproof paper, folded up a little collection of red polka dot paper hankies in it and sprinkled them liberally with Olbas oil. There now. That should do the trick!
6. I’m wandering about with a little ice-pack pressed on my sore lip and I’m eating liqorice. Good old fashioned proper liqorice because I once read that liqorice has cold sore fighting properties and any excuse will do…
7. I’m trying something ridiculous to fight the cough that’s driving me bonkers. You see it is believed by some that coating your feet in Vicks vapour rub, then donning thick socks and putting your feet up will help, so here as I write I am the proud possessor of menthol feet cased in pink slipper socks and frankly whether it works wonders on the cough or it doesn’t, it feel terribly comforting regardless…
8. Doris Day. When I feel rubbish, Doris Day is always the cure, so I’ve chosen a film I’ve not seen before and over a little lunch of cucumber and marmite I’m going to watch “Do Not Disturb”…
9. I am burning peppermint oil. Both because I rather feel like curling up in a ball and going to sleep and I mustn’t because I am a Mummy and have to collect my child from school at some point, and thus need to be alert and peppermint will help, and also because peppermint oil has anti-bacterial properties and it might just fight the spread of this little infection to those who care to visit me. (Visit me someone!)
10. And finally because I’m terribly good at this extreme self-care lark, I have hung cosy blankets over all the radiators in the house and whenever the shivers come a-calling I can grab a snuggly hot
To all those of you similarly suffering today, I feel your pain. Go rent a Doris Day movie…
O Poor you! I do detect a determination to stay in good spirits in spite of an attack of the viral miseries. My mother's remedy involves sage tea – great for the sore throat but I always have to add honey to be able to swallow it. I love the idea of blankets on the radiators, that is genuis. Soldier on there, we are all willing you better.
I hope you are feeling better soon but in the meantime gargling with warm salt water several times a day will take care of the sore throat and don't forget some homemade chicken soup.
Ooooh but Victoria, salt in my nasty cold sore??? I want to, but I'm scared!
Just take a small swig and gargle, you don't have to get it on the cold sore.
Ah, Alison–your cures could almost make a girl want to get sick–almost! Feel better soon!
I am the same Alison! I cant sleep for this annoying cough either,my neighbour told me this morning to cut an onion in half and keep it in the sitting room on a saucer ??? supposedly it absorbs the germs,may be an old wives tale that one.xx
Old wives tale or not… it's worth a try right Gena??
Poor, dear Alison! Please check your email inbox. And feel all better soon! Is it any consolation to know that everyone in the entire state of California has it, too!? So far I've missed it, how, I do not know, but I appreciate it! Thank.you.very.much! Here, it is sooo cold and blustery today. To remedy that and surf in comfort . . . I've set up a desk beside the fire, and determined that I will find out what you have been up to lately! I'm so sorry to find you ill! I'm hoping all of those lovely remedies produce wondrous results!
Poor you! So sorry you are feeling under the weather!
But, I've got to say (sorry!!!) that your cures sound so very delightful that I might fake being sick today.
Dear Alison,
I swear, you are the only person in the world who can make us want to catch a cold. Thinking of snuggly blankets and menthol feet and hot tea! Hoping you feel better soon.
VictorianGypsy
Oh you poor thing, I hope you feel better very soon. Megan xx
Follow the silver moon my sick heart and heal me soon for on the morrow I must do my part
Oh Sylvia I love that! Thank you…
oh, no! I do hope you are feeling better!
I just watched Doris Day in the Pajama Game the other night, I adore old movies. They make me happy!
Drink lots of tea and try a small dap of olive oil on the red spot on your forehead, see if that helps. yes, olive oil. It's the wonder oil for your face. I use it to remove my make up…. I have no wrinkles around my eyes (which most of my friends have) and my lashes are always healthy, pretty and soft. It is the wonder oil!
xx
callie
My favorite cold sore remedy is melissa/lemon balm glycerite. It really works and is really delicious. Put it right on the hot spot and take some internally.
better: make sure you always have a Doris Day at hand…what her voice will do for you !!!
Beterschap !
Bless you
Lieve groeten
Godeliva van Ariadone