Family & Relationships: How to use your FSA money on everyday essentials before you lose it at the end of the year

Live Better Manuka Honey Cough & Throat Syrup

Pros: Easily accessible, delicious

Cons: Moderately high on the glycemic index

Honey is the ideal natural swap for dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in most OTC cough syrups. A 2018 study out of Nigeria found that honey is likely just as effective at soothing a cough in children as dextromethorphan, with a 2017 study in Chest supporting the remedy specifically for an acute cough for the common cold.

Honey works to coat and soothe the back of the throat for longer than artificial cough syrup, and offers "its long-established antioxidant and antiviral effects," Habib Sadeghi, DO, founder of the integrative medical center, Be Hive of Healing, in Agoura Hills, CA, told Insider.

Pharmacist Maria Gil-Flores, PharmD, district leader at CVS added, "Honey contains many important antioxidants that may help protect the body from cell damage, and is often praised for its antibacterial and antiviral properties."

Fall 2022 Wardrobe Essentials

At the start of a new season the excitement is palpable as we imagine all the fun new pieces we get to wear. The transition from the shorts and sundresses of Summer to the cardigans… View PostYou might think wardrobe essentials sounds an awful lot like a capsule wardrobe. That is not completely wrong. I do think capsule wardrobes are largely misunderstood. It’s only been in the recent past that I changed my opinion. What I once thought of as limiting I now see as freeing.

Honey has been used as medicine for thousands of years, but be sure to check in with your doctor if you plan on using this in large amounts and for long periods of time.  It also should not be given to children 12 months old or younger (it may contain a bacteria called clostridium that causes infant botulism).

Dr. Sadeghi suggests organic, local honey (i.e., something specific to your region), because the bees have infused it with local pollen, which may help your immune system's response to local allergens (there's not a body of clinical evidence supporting this yet, but this theory behind trace-exposure to allergens is starting to get more attention). Additionally, raw, local honey is unprocessed, which means it retains essential nutrients that may help your body heal.

For an over-the-counter option, Gil-Flores likes Live Better Manuka Honey Cough & Throat Syrup, which uses manuka honey as its main ingredient and remains affordable. "This syrup can work as a cough suppressant and may provide soothing comfort for the chest and throat."

The manuka syrup also contains olive leaf extract, which may help to regulate insulin and blood glucose for those concerned about the high natural sugar content of manuka honey. What's more, olive leaf extract may also be anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial — all things you want when you've got a cold or flu, when your body is inflamed and your immune system is already stressed and mid-fight.

We also ran this particular product by naturopathic doctor Megen McBride, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (NMD), told Insider — verbatim — "Compared to dextromethorphan, this is angelic."

Sexy Clothing That Isn't Revealing & Will Keep You Warm When It’s Cold Out

Putting together a cute and alluring but weather-appropriate outfit is easy when you have Amazon. After all, looking fiery in when it’s chilly starts by layering with gloves and stockings while the rest is just finding pieces to replace your tanks, pants, and tees. And that part’s not difficult at all. All you have to do is swap out your shorts for this pair of faux leather leggings that are fleece-lined or pick up a knit maxi dress to get an entire look in one piece. Keep scrolling for more cozy but cute inspiration that you’ll wish you can wear even in the summer because it’s so alluring.

Dr. Hana's Nasopure Nasal Wash System

Pros: Inexpensive, effective, reusable, FDA-approved

Cons: Improper use can increase the risk of infection (this includes using tap water)

Stuffy congestion and inability to breathe out of your nose is one of the primary symptoms of both the common cold and influenza. Luckily, there's a very simple solution: sinus wash.

Using saltwater to treating allergies and sinus issues has long been used in ancient India to help remove mucus and reduce chronic inflammation, explained Dr. Sadeghi.

A 2018 study review out of the United Kingdom found that saline irrigation can help reduce congestion for folks with allergic rhinitis. Dr. Sadeghi also pointed to a study from the University of Michigan Health System, which shows that people who used nasal irrigation for sinus relief saw a 50% reduction in the frequency of symptoms compared to those who used a nasal spray.

As for cold and flu specifically, an older study from 2008, published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, looked at 400 children with a cold or the flu and found that a saltwater nasal flush not only improved their cold and flu symptoms, but also the kids needed fewer medications and missed less school compared to children who used medication alone.

Although the original neti pots (used with water and basic kosher salt) are definitely a viable option, Dr. Sadeghi recommended this more affordable alternative in the $10 range. Dr. Hana's Nasopure Kit is a well-reviewed choice, thanks to its ease-of-use, solid construction considering the price, and itch-and-burn-free rinse experience.

Life Extension Enhanced Zinc Lozenges

Pros: Soothing, inexpensive, effective, may shorten your cold and lessen the intensity

25 Best Crockpot Soup Recipes

Here you’ll find a variety of simple Crockpot Soup Recipes including chicken, beef, and potato soups. These top-rated recipes are perfect for busy days when you need one less thing to worry about. Winter is the perfect time to break out the slow cooker and make a batch of delicious, comforting soup. Not only does a warm bowl of soup hit the spot on a cold day, but making soup in a crockpot is also incredibly easy and convenient. One of the best things about using a slow cooker is that it allows you to “set it and forget it” – you can simply toss all of the ingredients into the pot in the morning, set the timer, and come home to a fully cooked meal at the end of the day.

Cons: Missed opportunity to throw some honey in here

"Zinc is an essential nutrient that can help support the immune system of the body; we know that taking it as a supplement [when sick] can slightly reduce the duration of illness," said Dr. Firouzi. The mineral may help respiratory viruses from latching on and multiplying, he added.

There's also an evolving theory that zinc may help limit the degree of an inflammatory response your body has to an infection, he added. Inflammation, whether general or part of an immune response, can cause achiness, fatigue, and certain other symptoms that vary depending on your circumstances. Limiting inflammation could mean fewer aches and pains and more energy.

The scientific and clinical evidence around zinc is mixed, but studies on zinc lozenges, in particular, have shown potential promise for treating the common cold (both for shortening the duration of symptoms and alleviating pharyngeal symptoms).

Generally, adults need 8 to 11mg for optimal health. But when it comes to being sick, the jury is still out on how much zinc you need to support your immune system. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, "Zinc promotes immune functions and helps people resist infectious diseases."

The upper limit for dosage (currently) is 40mg for adults. Too much zinc can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches — so be mindful of how much you consume.

McBride agreed, adding that she uses this mineral as an immunity balance for her patients. Gil-Flores recommended it as well: "Zinc is a vital mineral for the body that can help with immune system function," she said, and though she noted you can obtain zinc via your diet (in meat, legumes, shellfish, and dairy), if you don't eat these foods often, you can also get it in supplement form.

Zinc is also quite common in lozenge-form, which can be soothing when you have a sore throat. Life Extension Enhanced Zinc Lozenges have zinc acetate in a heftier dose than most other lozenges (18.75mg), which is nice for relief from a single lozenge, but you want to make sure to cap your daily intake at two, maybe three if okayed by your doctor. For reference, clinical trials that are currently underway (looking at zinc's role in COVID-19 prevention) are using 50mg of zinc daily, which is above the National Institute of Health's upper limit of 40mg.

The other ingredients in Life Extension's lozenges include peppermint flavor and dextrose. Some consumers might not like the idea of corn-derived sugar and added flavor, but compared to other options on the market, we considered it a fair trade for a stronger dose of zinc. For instance, Zicam is another super popular zinc supplement in lozenge form but has some controversial food coloring, plus corn syrup, sucralose, and sucrose. (I also looked at Nature's Way, which looked quite promising, but the ingredient list included sorbitol and mannitol, sugar alcohols (polyols) that may cause digestive distress).

Fresh ginger tea

Pros: inexpensive, effective, tasty, multiple benefits

Cons: None unless you don't like ginger

Ginger tea has been used for centuries, and for good reason — it's a tasty, multifaceted, multi-symptom reliever that typically has few side effects.

This ancient home-remedy is high on Dr. Firouzi's must-use list. "In Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is a concept of 'opposing qualities' — hot and cold, dry and moist, [and so on]. This paradigm structures our approach to treating many conditions," he explained.

This is where ginger tea comes in — he noted that green and black tea do not have the same properties nor effects. The ayurvedic lens on the common cold is that the body has "excess cold and moisture in the respiratory system." From there, he said, "The obvious remedy would then be to warm and dry out that area."

Dr. Firouzi also explains that from this perspective, "ginger reduces the Kapha dosha in the Pranavaha Srotas, according to Ayurveda. In other words, it can help clear phlegm in the sinuses and lungs."

But making tea with fresh ginger is more ideal than a dried tea bag. A 2013 study from Taiwan researchers found that fresh, but not dried, ginger is effective for treating respiratory disease. "In certain situations, the fresh herbs have certain compounds that are more intact than the dried herbs, such as volatile oils," Dr. Firouzi says. "This may be one of many factors contributing to the variable effects of fresh versus dried ginger. For ginger tea, fresh ginger is most helpful for upper respiratory infections and flu — however, for nausea, there is research supporting the use of dry ginger."

Peel and slice half an inch to an inch of fresh ginger and add it to soft boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain out the ginger (you can also put the sliced herb in a tea infuser to skip the need for straining). Add healing honey if you want it a little sweeter.

In general, all doctors and medical professionals say it's important to focus on supporting your immune system — particularly in natural ways — to ensure you're staying healthy all season long, especially with COVID-19 cases surging.

That's because research shows a stronger immune system lowers your chances of coming down with a cold or flu.

Dr. Firouzi practices not just modern Western medicine (think: modern medicine, pharmacological interventions) but also the ancient Indian holistic branch of medicine called Ayurveda. This was created thousands of years ago, centered on a preventative approach to health and wellness that balances the mind, body, and spirit to minimize the need for treatment down the line.

"We are often searching for something to take for our specific health issues; fundamentally, though, from the Ayurvedic standpoint, is the need to prevent the infection (or at least reduce the severity of its impact), which can in part be achieved through the strengthening of our immune system," he said.

Megen McBride echoed this, emphasizing that preparation is paramount for preventing illness in times of high contagion (i.e., cold and flu season, or, you know, during a pandemic).

There are a number of natural ways to balance your immune system both preventatively and once a virus has taken hold. Dr. Firouzi's Ayurvedic recommendations are lifestyle-based and include sleep, meditation, yoga, and a healthy diet (the basics you hear from many a medical practitioner that always bears repeating). These "can improve the immune system's response [to pathogens like viruses and bacteria]," he said.

If you do get sick despite taking all the right precautions, it's still important to fortify your immune system. "Boosting our immune system [can help] to fight invaders and get them subdued and out of the body," McBride added.