AutumnViolet
my sister had a bad cold and was losing her voice i made her a special tea with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and a heaped table spoon of honey and a small slice of ginger (dried ginger will work to) in boiling water, if to sweet add more lemon if to sour add more honey both lemon and honey have anti bacterial properties also it will help you breath through your nose better while you drink it.
the ginger also helps sooth the stomach and clear your nose its all good for your immune system.
my sister took the tea 3 times a day for 2 days and her sickness was gone, she said she felt like she was getting better on her second cup because her throte wasnt as sore.
i also make this when i run out of lose tea or tea bags
razz it's good as long as you add to suit your taste.
I second this suggestion coming from a Chinese background and having lived in the jungles without access to medical care or even meds.
whee Chicken soup has been found to be beneficial as well as cuddles. You can't cure a cold but alleviate its symptoms unless you get an infection.
If your nose is blocked, you can also try a netti pot to clean it out.
Can't find the citation for cuddles but here it is for chicken soup:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/976348.stm