No one likes the sniffles. I can always tell when it's time to take action against a cold - achy bones, scratchy throat, and itchy-sneezy nose are tell-tale signs. You know me though, I prefer the wholistic, natural approach, if at all possible. So when looking for a healthier way to fend off a cold, I discovered an amazing website, www.frugallysustainable.com. Here's what the author, registered nurse, Andrea, advises are some good natural steps to warding off the sniffles:

Increase your intake of water to 64-80 ounces daily.

Take a high-dose vitamin C daily.

Eat whole food - nutritious meals that include plenty of fresh veggies and fresh ginger, which is a great remedy for congestion.

Use our homemade Herbal Decongestant Salve

Give your sinus a daily rinse via a Netty Pot.

Andrea also suggests supplementing with an herbal tea and shares this recipe on her site:

No Sniffles Herb Tea

Ingredients:
1 part ginger root
1 part fennel seeds
1 part rosehips
1 part thyme
1 part nettles
1 part elderberries
1 part orange peel


Directions:

Measure equal parts of each of the herbs listed and mix in a large bowl until well combined. Grab your tea accessories (, tea strainer, cotton tea net, disposable paper infuser, mesh tea infuser, press and brew bags, tea nest infuser, and a tea pot are just some suggestions), and be sure to drink 2-3 cups of prepared tea, as needed, daily for relief! (Note: Andrea gets all of her loose leaf tea-making supplies online from Mountain Rose Herbs, www.mountainroseherbs.com .) Herbal teas will keep stored in a cool, dark place for approximately 6 months.

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Finally, I have a tip for when the sniffles have actually conquered you and even accelerated to your chest. Here is a recipe for a mustard plaster (using the dry mustard and other things you have in your cupboard) that I've used on my family for years. Lift the plaster from time to time - it gets nice and warm, feels really good on a congested chest, but it can burn the skin if not monitored.

Homemade Mustard Plaster

Ingredients:
1 egg
2 tablespoons shortening
1 teaspoon camphor oil
1 tablespoon dry mustard
flour (for thickening)
water (to make a spreadable consistency)


Directions:

Mix ingredients together and spread thin layer onto a clean flannel cloth. Apply to chest. Check periodically. Cover leftover plaster and store in refrigerator for 2 days.

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