As a child growing up in Germany, whenever I fell ill, my mother would employ all sorts of household remedies used for generations in our family. It was not unusual to find myself feeling a bit crestfallen with hot, cooked, and smashed potatoes wrapped in a kitchen towel around my head. However, the remedy, intended to mitigate sore throats, bronchitis, and ear pain, did make me feel better.
I have to hand it to my mother—the approach worked—and is still commonly used in Germany.
During cold and flu season, millions seek relief from nasal congestion, facial pressure, headaches, and sore throats. While over-the-counter medications like Sudafed and Mucinex are common choices, natural remedies including oil rubs, saline rinses, and herbal steam baths, are effective alternatives....
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