It starts in the head and moves to the chest. That horrible tickle in the back of your throat that just won’t stop, that barking cough that comes from your chest. You can’t make it stop, you can’t catch your breath, your eyes begin to water, you sweat, you think you are going to heave-and you do. All that mucous. Yuck!

You are fine sitting up, but try to lay down and, no way! The monster rears its ugly head, making it impossible for you to sleep. Your ribs hurt and your sciatica is acting up. You feel like you have been hit by a truck.

So what can you do to get some relief?

First, be sure to drink plenty of water, as water will help to dilute the mucous. Include electrolyte beverages like lemonade and coconut water to help keep you hydrated (avoid the big box electrolyte drinks with added colors and flavors).

Aromatherapy, homeopathy, and honey can help.

Aromatherapy – An aromatherapy chest rub can relieve the cough and help you breathe. The most commonly used commercial vapor rubs contain some ingredients that are toxic, such as turpentine, which is toxic to young children in as little as 3 tsp, and petrolatum, a product of crude oil that coats the skin like plastic wrap and in turn blocks the skin’s natural function of releasing toxins from the body.

Homeopathy – (like cures like) Available in pellets and liquid to help wake up the immune system to self-heal. Homeopathy has been around for hundreds of years. This system is still used today by the English Royal Family. Who doesn’t want to feel like a queen?

Honey – Honey, especially Manuka with UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) can be used (12 months or older*) to help alleviate a cough. The honey will soothe and coat the throat. Using a UMF quality manuka honey is even more beneficial because of its extra antibacterial properties.

Taking Manuka honey directly (i.e from a teaspoon) is soothing for your throat and helps with coughs. The additional antibacterial properties in a UMF honey are effective against a wider range of bacteria in your body and gives you an added boost, enabling it to  “help it help itself”.

Not all honey is the same, so make sure to look for the UMF label.

Act Natural Health & Wellness carries aromatherapy vapor rubs made with non-toxic ingredients, homeopathic remedies, and UMF Manuka Honey and lozenges.

Disclaimer: The information presented here has not been evaluated by the FDA. Manuka is unpasteurized honey and should not be used by anyone under the age of one. Always check with your doctor or health care provider before using any remedy, honey or any other product.

*Children under the age of 12 months should not be given honey for any reason.