Mustard Cold Cures

If you’ve got that awful wintertime cold that’s going around, you don’t have to sit around and suffer. Instead, just grab a jar of mustard! That’s right—if you think of mustard as simply a good topping for a ballpark hot dog, you’re in for a surprise. That sunshine-yellow condiment has all sorts of healing powers. It can crush a cough, stomp out a stuffy nose, and even clear out chest congestion! Here’s how to tap into mustard’s amazing cold-curing superpowers:

Crush a cough. Those little packets of hot mustard that come with your Chinese takeout will get rid of mucus in your lungs and sinuses, and will help ease your hacking! Simply squeeze a packet over chicken, sausage, eggs, or whatever else you’d like.

Stomp out a stuffy nose. When your nose and head are clogged to the max, feel better fast with this quick-trick. Spread 1/2 teaspoon of mustard or horseradish on three or four thin slices of ginger or garlic, and eat up. By the time you’re done, you’ll be breathing easy!

Clear out chest congestion. Just add a few drops of water to a bit of dry mustard to create a thin paste, then apply it to your chest. Cover the area with a layer of flannel and a heating pad set on low. Lift a corner of the cloth and pad every 5 minutes to check for redness. Wash the paste off promptly after a total of 15 minutes, or immediately if you experience any redness or irritation.

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