Naturopathic Cold Remedies?

I have had REALLY good luck with homeopathic remedies. It takes some time to learn how they work, but you can also get a multi-remedy called Cold Calm. I just ordered a 3-pack from Amazon for a very good price. I also use Zicam tablets when I feel a cold coming (doesn't help you now) but get some for the future. I find it really works as long as I'm faithful about taking it every 4 hours. When on the Zicam (it's just zinc in a homeopathic formulation) I typically just feel like I'm starting to get sick for about a day or two, then I get better. Licorice and ginger tinctures work great for coughs too. Chestal (another homeo) syrup works good for my kids when they have a cough. Also, as far as I know these are all safe for breastfeeding. Hope you feel better soon!

I don't know how bf-friendly this is but I take a garlic clove and steep it in a cup of hot water for several minutes and drink it like tea. Add honey for additional help with your throat. Dont' take on an empty stomach though-it might make you nauseas. I do the same exact thing with ginger root. It's easier on the palate and will probably be less irritating to your breastfeeding child. Take a multi-vitamin, or better yet double up on them while you have symptoms.

Hi J.,

There are quite a few things you can do. The first thing I want to ask you is your prenatal vitamin actually an absorbable one? Most vitamins don't absorb so you need extra help to get it into your system or you need to research to find one that does. Doctors don't always prescribe the best ones.

Elderberry is simply food in pill form/extract form that builds your immune system and works to strengthen the respiratory system. It's safe during pregnancy and safe for infants as well. Colloidal silver has been used to help babies growth during pregnancy but it also is a natural antibiotic (with no side effects) that will get rid of that nasty phlegm. If it's discolored, there's an infection. Gargling high grade tea tree oil will help with the throat as well as gargling salt water.

Hope this helps....

M.

BTW, you can't OD on elderberry so you can take almost as much and as often as you want...

J.,
I use echinacea, zinc, vitamin c, garlic and an immunity builder. Just making sure the supplements are absorbed is only part of the evaluation. Plus in some cases, people have been protected in that if the supplement they took didn't dissolve because it would actually have been harmful if it was absorbed.
And there are 11 different kinds of echinacea. Only one works.
So you must get the right brand.
Hope you all feel better soon.

Elderberry tincture or elderberry syrup is breastfeeding friendly and it is a anti viral. I used it alot when I was nursing and sick. However with colored phlegm, you may want to go ahead and see a dr. in case you have a bacterial infection going on. Garlic is also excellent, as is onion soup with thyme and rosemary. You can inhale over steam essential oils such as thyme and eucelutptus (sp?). There is a great shop here in Kirkland called Herban Wellness. Its in downtown kirkland. She can make you a tincture to help and she will know what is safe for breastfeeding. The owners name is Katya. She is really wonderful. Hope that helps!! M. M
P.S. Sorry you are sick, cold and flu season hit late this year!

Have you gone to the Doctor?
What if you have Strep?

What you have, is something that is going around in my city.
I had it too. SAME symptoms as you. SAME symptoms exactly. And I missed work because of it. And then I got Laryngitis, because of it. And then... it was lingering, I went to the Doctor, and then it had turned into Bronchitis. Bronchitis is contagious. And a secondary infection. I had to take Antibiotics at that point.
My son, had the same thing too.
And after he had that, he got sick again. With another bug.

Many people I know, kids as well, are getting that bug.
You best be careful.
My friend, had it too... and was out sick from work the entire week last week, because of it. And she still is recovering.

"Remedies"... will alleviate symptoms but not "cure" it.

You need rest.
Rest/sleep aids the body in healing.

Can you have someone come over and help watch your kids?

I second the elderberry, I always keep it in my house. You can also take vitamin C, garlic (eating foods with it works too, but your baby may get a little gassy from it). Echinacea is good too but only take it for one week a month to help your immune. Zinc is another good one.

Go to your local health food store and talk to one of the employees about homeopathic remedies. These are made from plants and most would be OK to take while breastfeeding.