I hate summer colds.

The weather is perfect and I’m walking around with a head full of snot and a nasty cough. Even worse is now my son has it too! So here’s what we are doing to make sure that we’ll be down and out for the shortest amount of time possible.

Rest. Yesterday, I sorted through my bookcases pulling a few books three boxes to donate. Today, we are curling up with movies and books and coloring books and crayons. Anything to keep it low key.

Neti pot. The first time someone told me to try one, I scoffed. The second time, I sneered. The third, I just out and out said how disgusting I thought it would be. And then I ended up with the most horrendous sinus infection of all time and was willing to try anything. A little distilled water heated to body temperature (test it on your wrist like you would a bottle), a pre-mixed packet, and it’s like magic. Instantly feeling a little a better. I usually do this two times a day (once in the morning and once before bed).

Thieves – I like to use it for a sore throat (I just put a drop on my tongue) and diffusing at night really seems to help the duration of the cold. I’m not a doctor and I’m not making any medical claims, I just really like the stuff.

Homemade Vapor Rub – I’ve been the biggest fan of Vick’s VapoRub ever since I was a little kid. Nothing like getting out of a steamy shower to have your mom rub in on your chest and wrapping you up in a fluffy towel. Since we’ve been trying to reduce the amount of petroleum products we use as a family, I was so glad to find this alternative. This recipe smells amazing, helps me breathe, and because it is made with coconut oil and beeswax it doesn’t feel as greasy as Vicks.

Massage oil – I don’t think there is anything worse than sinus pressure and since my colds almost always turn into sinus infections, I like to try and help clear them as much as possible. I’ve made a massage oil to rub around my nose, ears, and over my cheekbones for relief.

I put 10 ml carrier oil (v-6, olive oil, almond oil) in a glass jar and add:
-2 drops eucalyptus
-2 drops peppermint
-3 drops rosemary
-1 drop tea tree

Grilled cheese – Because it just is good.

How do you help treat a cold?