2 Great Ways to Attack Fever & Congestion

Helplessly watching a child suffer through a cold or flu is a heart-wrenching experience for me. I nursed my little brother through many bugs as he grew up, all the while wishing desperately that I could trade places with him and end his discomfort. It's no wonder people are quick to grab the Children's Robitussen and other such over-the-counter remedies. Don't get me wrong; there often comes a point where a child needs medication to get over a really bad bug. However, it can't hurt to try a couple of home remedies first. Here are two for breaking a high fever and reducing chest and sinus congestion that my mother (a nurse) always swore by; they might seem a little unorthodox, but I have found both to be incredibly effective.

Breaking a High Fever & Clearing Chest Congestion
As a child, when I had a fever and bad chest congestion from a cold, my mom would put me through this crazy ritual that always cleared out my lungs and broke my fever overnight. She would make me take a 3 minute shower in the hotest water I could stand, then a 2 minute shower in the coldest water I could stand, and so on for about 12 minutes. Then, after I was dried off, she'd rub Vicks Vapo-Rub on my chest and cover it with an old wool scarf saved specifically for these instances. She'd wrap me in layers upon layers of clothes and blankets and let me sweat it out overnight. By the next morning, my fever had usually broken, and I could breath clearly again.

Clearing Out Sinus Congestion
This is a John's Hopkins Hospital-recommended sinus rinse: Mix 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda and 1/2 tsp. salt with 1 c. warm water and stir until dissolved. Take a baby ear bulb syringe and draw up some of the solution. Lean over a sink and squeeze the contents of the bulb up one nostril while gently inhaling. Some of the solution will come out the other nostril, but some may come out of your mouth. Repeat with the other nostril, and continue back and forth until you have used the entire cup of solution. The baking soda will help reduce inflamation, and the salt will clear your nasal passages. For optimal results, follow with a nice hot shower or, if you have access to one, a face sauna; the steam will open your sinuses further and promote drainage.

Note: A face sauna is an inexpensie and invaluable tool to have around the house, especially during cold season. If you don't have one already, the $25-35 you'll spend on one will be worth your money in the long run!

I hope you find these home remedies as effective as my family has over the years!