What to have on hand for treating the flu?

**redmaples** · 10-08-2009, 11:13 AM

What do you keep in your medicine cabinet for treating both respiratory & stomach/intestinal type flus & colds?

We use herbal teas & soups mostly, but sometimes an over the counter med is really needed to help. I have a respiratory infection & tried thera flu the other night. It helped congestion but gave a burning feeling in my throat that kept me awake all night. I'm not sure what other meds to keep on hand. I might try some nyquil tonight.

What works for you all?

and ... how to tell the difference between cold, flu & swine flu?

**TigerGirl1226** · 10-08-2009, 11:53 AM

I used the TheraFlu night time when I had bronchitis and it helped me sleep.

**imagine** · 10-08-2009, 12:57 PM

This article has a handy chart that helps to tell if it is flu or cold (page two I think).

My doc said the way you can tell if it is the seasonal respiratory flu or swine flu is that people tend not to be as sick with swine flu as with the regular seasonal respiratory flu.

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/co...-cold-symptoms

I like having chicken broth and hot drinks on hand.

In the medicine cabinet I like to have a working thermometer (to take temps), decongestant, expectorant, fever reducer and throat/cough drops. All good for both cold and flu.

**YankeeMom** · 10-08-2009, 01:30 PM

I keep Nyquil (store brand) and daytime Nyquil (again, store brand). Hot tea, honey, cough syrup (dye free for the kids), tissues, Vick's vapo-rub, and cough drops. Oh and a thermometer and Tylenol.

Here's a neat self-assessment I saw on the Weather Channel last night:
https://h1n1.cloudapp.net/fluquiz.as...=flu_resources

**frugalfranny** · 10-08-2009, 01:39 PM

Now is the time of year that I stock up on chicken noodle soup when it goes on sale....I also try to make a batch in the crock and put the remainder in the freezer.

Basically, I 'do' the chick. soup......and will have a six pack or a litre of 7 up.......some other things that I always have (tea, honey, hot drinks) but I do purchase some 7 up each fall.........can always use it for others things if I don't need it for a sickness!

I hate to say this too loud as I could be 'spitting into the wind' but it has been so long since I have been sick that I probably don't have what I should in my medicine cab. And the few things that I have are probably EXPIRED!!

**shoiji** · 10-08-2009, 02:32 PM

Other than taking vitamins I have been taking reishi tea in the morning to help build up the immunity. Also will be going back to eating yogurt and honey in the mornings. Plus I just go the regular flu shot yesterday.

I have some vapor rub, nasal spray, and cough drops for the cold or flu. Also some disenfectant spray.

I try to stick with warm lemon and honey tea. For stomach upset the best thing is black tea and dry white toast. Works all the time to keep things settled down. Plus I tend to sleep alot when sick.

**rasilla** · 10-08-2009, 04:09 PM

There is a natural remedy for the flu that our Dr office provides, called Influensium. It is a homeopathic derived "vaccination" of sorts and it has helped lessen the severity of a bout of flu, but does not protect you from getting any bugs.

For coughing we use elderberry (the concentrated syrup)
For sore throat we use licorice or peppermint teas
For vomiting we use ginger and follow a brat diet with probiotics once the upsets are over
For fever we use tylenol (if it is high) and sleep
For congestion we chew on a raw garlic clove - it will immediately open things up!

There are a few other things we use, but I can't remember specifically. Do you have a natural foods store near you? Some of them have on staff naturopaths who may be able to give you more ideas of herbs that can help treat symptoms. We rarely go to the Dr! Hope some of these may help you.

**2ndGenGranola** · 10-08-2009, 04:24 PM

Our household was just sick. The kids were refusing normal stuff. I had to send someone for (1) sodas - I usually don't keep them in the house but needed the kids to get in liquid, any liquid (2) slow drip Popsicles - something else I didn't keep until they got sick

I had a pantry full of good juice, kids tylenol, kids motrin, adult tylenol/motrin, then the store brand nyquil and day stuff, homeopathic flu med (love that stuff), broth, rice...

**ravenmaniac** · 10-08-2009, 04:29 PM

I keep on hand store brands of: Nyquil, Dayquil, Advil, Tylenol, and Vicks Vapo Rub. I love drinking hot peppermint tea. It soothes a sore throat and helps with congestion. For sinus pain I like using my lavender and mint mask. I keep it in the freezer.

**Trishagirl** · 10-08-2009, 04:51 PM

I keep otc cold & sinus medicine on hand and non aspirin also. I have occocillium for the flu it's really good when you first have signs. I also have Ester C 500 , Vit D and Olive Leaf pills they will kill any virus.

**cab54** · 10-08-2009, 06:31 PM

I just take aspirin, lots of liquids, hunker down with a warm blanket, and wait it out.

I worry that decongestants drag it out and make it last longer. Just a theory of mine.

**Sassyclass** · 10-08-2009, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by YankeeMom

I keep Nyquil (store brand) and daytime Nyquil (again, store brand). Hot tea, honey, cough syrup (dye free for the kids), tissues, Vick's vapo-rub, and cough drops. Oh and a thermometer and Tylenol.

Here's a neat self-assessment I saw on the Weather Channel last night:
https://h1n1.cloudapp.net/fluquiz.as...=flu_resources

Hey, that'st my medicine cabinet.

Taking Nyquil and rubbing Vapor Rub on our chest seems to work better than anything for us. I keep a supply of Ramen Noodles for our dinner when we are sick.

Cat

**calimomx2** · 10-08-2009, 11:32 PM

I keep...
Tylenol
Motrin
Nyquil (day and night)
Tylenol cold & flu
Sambucol
Mucinex
Kleenex
powdered gatorade
7 Up
Lysol
cool mist humidifiers and extra filters
Vitamin C
chicken noodle soup

**tigo** · 10-09-2009, 08:27 AM

I try to keep this sort of thing stocked to the gills but found myself adding to my stockpile. I have soup, jello, electrolyte beverages, Tang, juice, tea and honey on hand. For meds I have daytime, nighttime, Immodium and pepto (bought at Sams since there are so many of us).

**Jeanna** · 10-09-2009, 11:07 AM

I keep store brands of Nyquil --both day and night, Musenex, Save the Baby, and a thermometer. I also keep soups, teas, klennex, and the like. I also keep a pack of Clorox wipes , Lysol spray, and a bottle of medi scrub just for this.