Yeah! Jewish penicillin!

Wow Donut, that's something to print out and save! Thanks! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Coffee definitely does, but as long as you avoid black tea, I don't think tea dehydrates you. Try green tea* or herb teas (especially ginger tea, tea with honey, chamomile, sage). Caffeine is not such a bad thing BTW, some painkillers contain small doses of coffeine and vitamin C to help battle colds and flus. And the hotness of the tea relieves a sore throat like nothing else does, or so I have always thought. Another thing you should try to do is eat enough! When your throat is sore you probably don't feel like it, but after a few swallows your thraot will get numbed, especially if the food is nice and hot. Don't take strongly spiced foods, but just a wholesome dinner will make you feel a lot better.
I've had a chronic illness for about two years and due to the lowered resistance, last year I went from one flu to another. I think I spent most of the previous winter recovering from colds, catching new ones and moping around the house sniffling. Not nice. :D

<font size="0">*The White blood corpuscles (WBC) are generally responsible for fighting any infection present in the body. Both polyphenols and Vitamin C which are present in green tea help to increase the WBC count thereby increasing, immunity to colds and diseases. Tea and Heart Research) suggestes that any diet rich in antioxidants is capable of stimulating circulation, strengthening the blood vessels and decreasing the cholessterol levels. Tea being rich in antioxidants can thus help in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.</font> Or so they say ;)

The only thing that will get rid of a virus is time and a healthy immune system. To speed a cold, make sure you are eating enough, drinking plenty of water based beverages, getting all your vitamins and minerals, and getting plenty of rest. This makes sure your body has all the tools it needs to do it's job with a minimum of stress. Other than that, you can treat the symptoms to keep you comfortable. Everyone has their own favorite treatments. From OTC remedies to herbs and homeopathy. Even eating certain foods. Basically, just do whatever makes you feel better. Personally, I like doping up on NyQuil, applying Vick's Vaporub generously, using 4-Way nasal spray to keep the sinuses clear, and drinking hot steaming herbal tea blends all day. Then I lay on the couch and watch TV and sleep. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Go to the store and buy some high concentrated vitamin A tablets... they work pretty damn well... That or a 1/5 of Scotch does wonders as well! [img]graemlins/blueblink.gif[/img]

But it's gotta be a pure malt, none o' that Johnny Walker crap!

There are mane symptomatic treatments out there as you can see. ;) Some have even been under clinical trials. I´ll put some here. Zinc has been reported to quicken up ones recovery. Tea can help. Especially if it has Echinacea in it. Echinacea has also been reported to help against cold. All you can do is to try and get some relief from the symptoms. Keep yourself warm, no matter if you inhale or drink. Instead of buying lozenge or cough drops, try placing a pea (or the like) beneath your tongue. That´s probably the most efficient way to get rid off a sore throat. ;)

Oh and tea is a diuretic as well as coffe. But then so is sugar and regular salt. ;)

But it's gotta be a pure malt, none o' that Johnny Walker crap!</font>[/QUOTE][img]graemlins/cheers.gif[/img] : [img]graemlins/1drinkspit.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

Actually, after posting I was thinking you might have meant herbal teas - those are definitely much better than black tea.

I agree, caffeine in small doses is good but the trouble is, too many people (especially here in Canada) drink far too much caffeine in their diet.

It's actually a requirement in the mechanics licence - you have to learn how to consume vast quantities of coffee! :D