Natural Remedies - Easing the Symptoms of a Cold without medicine

Living in a house with 6 people, we generally pass around at least one cold during the winter.  While I will resort to taking some Nyquil to sleep if I am feeling really bad, I do prefer to let the cold run its course.  I will, however, do a few things to help ease my symptoms.

Natural Ways to Ease the Symptoms of a Cold

• Rest - While most busy moms might laugh at the thought of getting to rest while they are sick, it really can help bolster your immune system.  Take a nap when your kids do.  Tape your favorite shows and go to bed early. Have your husband cook dinner or get take out.  These are all ways you can catch some extra sleep.  It is amazing the difference a few extra hours of sleep can make when you are run down from a cold.
• Drink water as hot as you can stand it.  I don't know if there is any scientific studies to prove this works, but I have found it helps shorten the duration of a cold by washing all the gunk out of the back of my throat.  I do this several times a day.  Just be careful not to burn your throat.  For additional health benefits, I make The Nourishing Gourmet's Lemon, Garlic, and Honey tea.  I use this in the morning to help clear out nasal congestion.  Simply steep 2 minced garlic cloves in boiling water for 5 minutes, then add the juice from half a lemon, and a tsp of raw honey.  It tastes like hot lemonade but it does soothe the throat.  Both garlic and honey have antibacterial properties.
• Use a Neti Pot to help cleanse your nasal passages.  My husband thinks it is disgusting, but it does help clear my nasal passages.  I think that it works even better  as a preventative treatment though.  Neti pots are used in many other cultures as part of their daily hygiene rituals.
• Vitamin C, Zinc, and Ecchinacea all have been reported to help shorten the duration of a cold. In my own experience, vitamin C seems to help me not get a cold in the first place. I have not seen any duration in the length of a cold by taking supplements.  I did have moderate success in using Zinc nasal gel.  However, you should note that you need to meticulously clean the applicator with alcohol following each use.  Otherwise, you are going to keep reinfecting yourself with the same bug.  Also, be sure to read package directions.  With all supplemental vitamins and minerals, you run the risk of exceeding recommended daily amounts.  Too much zinc can interfere with the absorption of other minerals, so you need to heed package warnings.
• Eat raw garlic.  Garlic has antibiotic properties and helps boost immunity.  I can't eat it raw straight because it irritates my stomach.  However, if I mash it and mix it with some butter, I can eat it on toast.  I still need plenty of water to get it down, but my stomach isn't irritated that way.

So what do you do to help ease a cold?