home remedies

I had dinner guests last Sunday evening. They brought some lovely baked apples and a cold.

I now have said cold.

And it is a crummy one. It started in the throat, moved to the head, and is now progressing down to my lungs.

I have used throughout the past two days:


Tea with lemon and honey
NyQuil
The humidifier
Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility and the 1983 Mansfield Park mini-series
Hot, steamy shower/bath with good historical novels from one's youth

All have been fine remedies; however, now my throat and lungs are becoming horribly irritated and I have developed a nasty cough. And I must sleep. I have these children, you see. And a life.

I am using:

NyQuil
The humidifier
Gargling salt water
A tablespoon of honey

What do you recommend to a) knock me flat in the night time, and b) sooth cold symptoms (e.g. irritated throat and chest)?

All home remedies welcome.

Off to put some rub on my chest, and my nose.

By the way, I heartily recommend Jane Austin when one is sick. I watched over seven hours of Jane today, and it was quite enjoyable. If tomorrow is as bad, I'll move to another Jane -- Jane Eyre.