I started using coconut oil not too long ago on my hair, and putting it into my coffee in the morning. yes, it floats on the top of the coffee, but surprisingly, it doesn't leave a greasy taste in your mouth when you drink it. My hair has never been so soft! I don't even use conditioner anymore. I just put a dab on my hands (not much, you may have to experiment) and rub it on and let it sit for a few minutes to soak in, then comb it through really well. Even blow drying my hair doesn't make it frizzy with the coconut oil on. Once a week, I put it on and let my hair dry naturally, so it can soak it all up. It makes your skin so smooth! I tried using it on my face, but I have adult acne, and it broke it out. But I did add a couple of drops to my moisturizer at night, and it didn't break me out that way. Anyway, my skin is much smoother, on my face and everywhere else I use it.

Zicam does nothing for me, but then I already take zinc as a supplement. What I have found to be helpful (and was mentioned in one of grainlady's links) is breathing steam, especially when I first start to feel something coming on. They way I do it is to get a very large mixing bowl (glass), add crushed eucalyptus berries (which I get from the Marina bike trail) and the pour a large amount of boiling water from the tea kettle over the berries. Then I put my head over the bowl and cover both the bowl and my head with a large bath towel, to prevent the steam from escaping. I inhale as much steam as possible and as deeply as possible, and allow any nasal draining to fall into the bowl. I generally have to come up for cool air several times, but the heat from the steam is what can kill the germs in my sinuses. This method gives you a facial at the same time, as it opens your pores from sweating. You do not need the eucalyptus berries - they are there for fragrance, and so you can substitute whatever you like, or even put Vicks in the bowl. Sometimes I use lemon zest. This will not cure a cold, but it will help clear your sinuses, much as nasal irrigation or spicy soup will, but the heat is helpful to prevent a cold from taking hold, if you catch it soon enough. I haven't had a cold in a while, and I felt that the dry air at Death Valley was theraputic. Visiting a sauna might be helpful. Lars

I've never tried taking THAT much apple cider vinegar - I only slurp like a half a TEASPOON! or a third of a capfull. I've heard of people that simply mix it in a glass of water and drink it and others that sprinkle it onto white bread and eat the bread. I can usually slurp it out of the cap just fine. I have found that once you open the bottle for the first time the vinegar kinda ages and the flavor improves (it becomes richer and less harsh). Since I wrote my response I have had another bout of freaky pains that took me to the hospital. I didn't think it was a heart attack, I thought it was something like a torn artery or vein. Extreme shooting pains from the center of my back radiating out to my sholder while I was walking the dog (like I do every morning). I got myself to the nearest hospital and explained to them that I have a hiatal hernia and that the pains could be connected to the three slices of pizza I ate late in the evening the night before and the fact that I had rolled over in my sleep and slept on my stomach. They listened but thought it was something more severe. They ran all the tests and everything came up clean, so they had no explanation for what was wrong. The pain went away in like an hour but since this was a large hospital I ended up staying there most of the day waiting for tests or test results before they would release me. I guess I will forever have this problem. But it only seems really bad once every 10 years so I think I can handle that.

As an herb, there are medicinal attributes. Here's what it says in Louise Tenney's book, "Today's Herbal Health". Catnip has been called nature's "Alka-Seltzer." The Indians used it for infant colic, but it also has a sedative effect on the nervous system. It is useful for many ailments" for all cases of fevers for its action in inducing sleep and in producing perspiration without increasing heat in the body. In children it is said to speedily overcome convulsions. It is also good for restlessness and colic and as a pain killer, especially for small children and infants. It has been known to help prevent a cold when drinking a warm infusion when you notice the first symptom. It helps in fatigue and improves circulation. It is said to help to prevent miscarriages and premature births. It helps in aches and pain due to flu and upset stomach and diarrhea associated with flu. Catnip is high in vitamins A and C, and the B-complex vitamins. It contains magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, sodium, and a trace of sulphur. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -I would caution using it on a regular basis since many herbals can cause liver toxins and even liver damage. I have an acquaintance who did herbal studies as a medical scientist this with a number of herbs and herbal blends on liver damage. -Dry it in the oven with the light on, between two layers of paper towels, rather than in the microwave if you don't have a dehydrator. Dry at a low temperature - 90-100°F. High-temp. drying will destroy many of the vitamins. -It is also suggested catnip be administered in the morning and evening. -If you take any Rx drugs or OTC medicines, check with a pharmacists for any possible drug interactions. -The tea is made from the dried leaves and flowering heads and is generally recognized as safe to use, plus it has a pleasant taste. There is one caution using it from a contemporary herbalist, Michael Moore. In general, "[catnip] may act to increase menstrual flow to varying degrees," so pregnant women should NOT use it. It can also cause spotting. -Harvesting: Gather the leaves and tops in late summer when the plant is in full bloom, and dry them carefully. Remove the tough stalks. Store in a dry place, away from light and heat. -If smoked, physicians have reported that catnip "was indeed mildly pshchoactive". -Culinary uses: as a salad ingredient -Catnip Tea: A standard beverage in England, where it is grown commercially, before the introduction of tea from China. To make catnip tea: Pour boiling water over the dried leaves/flowers and let it steep. Euell Gibbons [of the Grapenuts commercials fame decades ago] advised using a little more catnip per cup than you would ordinary tea. He also cautioned that catnip's flavor and aroma are very volatile, so he sat a saucer over his cup to "protect" his tea while it steeped. Euell Gibbons made candied catnip leaves to serve at the end of a meal, as a digestive aid or an after-dinner mint. His recipe calls for dipping catnip leaves into a mixture of beaten egg white and lemon juice. Then he sprinkled each side with sugar and let them dry for a day or so. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. [Grainlady note: use reconstituted powdered egg whites, or pasteurized egg whites in a carton, for food safety since the egg white isn't cooked.] -Grainlady