Keeping the (Vocal) System Free of Rust...
My normal remedy has been gargling with salt water at the first sign of any throat pain. But recently I've had a couple of bouts of really nasty ENT problems, for which the even more ancient remedy of steaming has proved the only defence. Since I've noticed 1 or 2 of my pupils suffering with strange blockages behind the nose/in the ears, I thought I'd share a few simple tips on Steaming:
a) Get a good bowl 9" or 12" in diameter. Pour about half a cup of cold water in, then fill to 1" deep with boiling water.
b) Put your face over the bowl, cover your head with a hand-towel or similar, and inhale steam through either nose or mouth. Keep going for about 5 minutes. (Perhaps I should have said - put on some nice music beforehand, or a song that you know lasts the right amount of time?)
Afterwards you can always put a little Olbas Oil on the water and sniff that, but otherwise I don't add anything to the main steaming.
I use steam twice a day -- and will continue to do so until this blessed ear nonsense passes...
