Mom's home remedies for curing the common cold

The wintry view from my office window this morning, makes me very happy that I work from home.

The funny thing is-we are actually going through a heat wave-with the temps expected to hit 17 above today.

That wasn't the case last week, when our little neck of the woods experienced record sub-zero temperatures and a mixture of freezing rain and heavy, wet snow.

With  three days of-50 degree wind chills, all of the schools in and around our community were closed, and there were even a few business' that shut down!

Like a lot of people, mom decided to keep her car snug as a bug in her garage, and stay inside, until the cold snap was over.  Even though mom doesn't like the cold (she says it makes her arthritis act up), she does believe that the bitterly, bone-chilling weather has one positive side to it.

"The cold temperature's keep the bugs away," she stated the first day of the cold spell.

Mom is known for sharing her many 'old wives tales.'  (Trust me- some of them are hilarious), but I had to agree with her on this one.  It makes sense that if everyone is hunkering down in their homes, the germs aren't being spread.  The downside is, the cold spell moved on, and so too, did those nasty little bugs.  Once all the kiddies went back to school, those little germs took flight and BAM- the cold and flu season was in full swing.

I know this, because earlier this week, when the temps reached a high of 30 above, I ventured out to do some grocery shopping.  This is going to sound silly (I think I'm getting more and more like mom), but once inside the store, I felt like I was in a horror movie, surrounded by a bunch of zombies.  It seemed every isle I went down, someone was coughing, sneezing, or sniffling.  Even the gal at the check out was blowing her nose, in between scanning my grocery items. (UGH!)

Hubby just laughed at me when I rushed in the door and frantically began washing my hands. This was one time I didn't mind.  In my 47 yrs (shh-it's our secret) of life, I've learned a few things about protecting myself from those dratted germs that make you feel like you've been run over by a semi!

Now, I know you've probably heard these preventive steps a thousand times over, but it's always good, (especially this time of year) to have a refresher course.  Besides, if you don't continue reading-you'll miss mom's 'unique' ways of curing a cold. (Oh boy) That is-just in case the world is aligned wrong, the moon is full, or for some other crazy reason-your body is taken over by a bug!

Okay- here we go.....My top 4 ways to prevent the cold/flu-based on my 'youthful experience' (come on- work with me here) and loads of research. (True)

1. Wash your hands.  I don't just mean- squirt some soap on and rinse quickly.  I mean scrub every nook and cranny (including your fingernails) with hot, soapy water!!!  Once you've gotten all those ghastly germs unseeded, rinse, rinse, and rinse again.   If you think I sound a bit obsessive compulsive, than you haven't seen me in a public restroom, doing the 'door handle shuffle'. (For those of you who don't know what that is- it's when you reach for the door with a paper towel in hand, and hold it open with one shoulder, while you slam dunk 'said' towel into the garbage.)

2.  Increase your dosage of Vitamin C.  I know- I know- there is so much controversy on whether or not Vitamin C really does help prevent a cold.  Well, I am not a doctor, but I'm living proof it does. I've been taking this glorious vitamin, for as long as I can remember. Usually I take 1,000 mg daily.  During the winter months, I increase that by 500 mg.  During the cold and flu season, I increase it by another 500 mg.  That's right.  2,000 mg a day.  Now, I know I can get Vitamin C through eating healthy foods,(sometimes I do), but just in case I don't-I'm covered.

3. Allow your mind and body to rest!  (And I don't just mean sleeping)  Any expert will tell you that stress is one of the leading causes of illness and disease.  When your brain and body are on overload, and your worn down, you don't have a fighting chance against germs. Relax! (Trust me- I know this isn't always easy advice to follow) but, I also know it is imperative for maintaining good health and strengthening your immunity. So, when I'm a bit overwhelmed with work, or life in general, I try to find ways to wind down.  A bath, music, or just going for a walk.  It doesn't matter.  Just take some time for you-or you're bound to get the flu!

4.  Drink water!  LOTS of it! (For me-this was probably more difficult than the relaxing!)  Why?  Because I hated water!  Coffee-YES please!  Soda-absolutely!  Wine, or the occasional beer-no problem.  But water- that tasteless liquid that I believed had only one purpose(Bathing)-no way!  Unfortunately-all those other beverages do not have the power that water does.  The power to hydrate+ flush those nasty, pesky little bugs-right out of your system. So, I learned to  love water (with a little help from lemons-of course).  All I do is fill up a big jug with H20 and squeeze a little fresh lemon juice in it, and off I go!

Unfortunately, like I said earlier-sometimes, no matter what you do, those dreaded bugs infiltrate your body and start having a war.  If that happens-mom has some home remedies that she swears by. (FYI- she did a lot of research on this as well- I know because I was one of her guinea pigs as a child.)  Did they help?  Well, I'll let you decide that one on your own.

Step One- Lather yourself from head to toe with VIX Vapor Rub. That's right.  Spread a nice, thick layer of that menthol-smelling magical potion on every inch of your skin-(Don't forget between your toes and especially up your nose!)
Step Two- Put a warm stocking cap over your head. (Make sure it is comfortable-because you'll be wearing it for days.)
Step Three- Wrap a sock around your throat. (Not too tight-you don't want to choke yourself-and be prepared to retie it often, because you definitely don't want a draft to get on your throat.)
Step Four-Find a sturdy mug and fill it with three parts hot water and 1 part each of lemon juice, honey and a stiff jigger of brandy. (aw heck-make it two).
Step Five-Plop your bottom down on your comfy sofa (set your mug down to ensure none is spilled) and wrap your entire body mummy style-except for one hand that you'll need to hold your elixir. (Again-you don't want a draft to catch you.)
Step Six- Turn your TV on and begin sipping your magic elixir.  (Mom recommends watching a good soap opera like Days of Our Lives, because their lives are far worse than a nasty cold and realizing that will make you feel a whole lot better.)
Step Seven- Once the elixir is gone and the soap is over- you will probably feel very tired.  That's okay.  Burrow down under the covers and doze as long as needed. (Warning- if you wake up in a sweat-DO NOT BATHE!-You certainly can change into a clean outfit (preferably something made of flannel) but bathing exposes you to drafts and breaks the seal of that glorious magic potion (VIX).
Step Eight- even if you are not hungry- you MUST eat. If you do not have your mum close by to make you homemade chicken soup-it's okay.  Mom says Campbell's is just as good and far less work for your mum.  If you don't have chicken soup-milk toast is a good second choice.  It will settle your tummy and also make you tired-which leads to...
Step Nine-Return to cozy couch. Make sure you grab a box of tissue on the way.  (Between the soup, elixir and the magic potion kicking in-you're going to need it.)Doze if you like, or watch more TV-but whatever you do-don't get out from under the covers unless you have to go to the restroom.
Step Ten- Repeat Steps One through Nine for as many days as it takes to kill those dreadful germs.  And remember- DO NOT BATHE and keep out of drafts- or these steps will never work!

So- there you have it!  Mom's family secret for the curing a cold.  I bet all the doctor's in the world will now be able to breathe a sigh of a relief.
If you have a family secret or homemade remedy, I'd love to hear it.  Until then-Stay healthy and just to be on the safe side- keep a container of VIX handy!