INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Expectorant herbs help make it easier to cough up phlegm. Depending on the way you choose to use them, you can use essential oils or dried herbs. These essential oils or dried herbs have antibacterial, antifungal, or antiseptic properties in addition to the expectorant properties, meaning they can kill bacteria and other microorganisms that can infect the sinuses. Expectorant herbs include: Eucalyptus Elecampane (Inula) Slippery Elm Fennel seed Camphor Garlic Hyssop Lobelia Mullein Thyme Spearmint and Peppermint Ginger Cayenne pepper and black pepper Mustard seed Tea is a great way to ingest expectorant herbs to reduce your cough. Measure out one teaspoon of your dried herb of choice or three teaspoons of fresh herb. Steep the herb in one cup of boiled water. Let it steep for five to ten minutes. Drink four to six cups a day. Add honey and lemon to taste. They both have antiviral and antibacterial properties that can also help soothe your cough. Do not give honey to children under one year old. Cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic, onions, and mustard seed tend to be strong and can be irritating. If you make teas with these herbs, drink them slowly. If you are giving these teas to a child, cut the amount of herb by or increase to two cups of water. Inhaling steam helps get the dried herbs into the lungs. It also helps open up the nasal passages and thin out the mucus. You can use either the dried herbs or the essential oils of many of these herbs. Both can be effective and depend on your preferences and what you have available. Add one to two drops of any essential oils made from expectorant herbs or one to two teaspoons of the dried herb to boiling water. Start with one drop per one quart of water. Once you add the herbs, boil for another minute, turn off the heat and move the pot to a comfortable area. Drape a cotton towel over your head and hold your head over the steaming pot. Keep your face at least 12 inches away from the water to avoid scalding yourself. Close your eyes, and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth for five counts, and then in and out through your mouth for two counts. Repeat for 10 minutes or as long as the water is still steaming. You can do this every two hours. To any herbal steam treatment listed, you can add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper or black pepper. Make sure to only add a very small amount because they may be too irritating for your respiratory system.

SUMMARY: Choose an expectorant herb. Make a tea. Try steam therapy.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture daily to eliminate adult fleas, eggs and larvae. Don't forget to vacuum the carpet under your furniture. When vacuuming upholstered furniture, remove the cushions and vacuum all areas of the furniture, including all crevices. Afterwards, place the used vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag and throw it away in an outdoor trash can. The majority of the fleas in your house will be in the places where your pets sleep and rest. Concentrate your cleaning efforts in these areas. You should also clean the cracks and crevices around cabinets and baseboards every 1 to 2 days. Wash your pet's bedding and small rugs weekly in hot, soapy water. You may also want to wash any pillow covers, pet bedding, human bedding, and other home fabrics as well. Washing in the hottest water will kill the flea eggs. Choose from baking soda, borax, or silica gel and sprinkle the powder over any rugs or carpeting in your house. Work the powder deep into the fibers of the carpet and let it sit overnight. The powder will dehydrate fleas that live in the fibers. Vacuum the powder up the next day and be sure to empty the vacuum canister or bag to an outside dumpster. Keep any pets off of the rugs and carpets while there's powder spread on them. Only let them back on once the rugs are completely vacuumed and all the powder is removed. Look for insecticides that contain insect growth regulators, like methoprene or pyriproxyfen. Check the label to make sure that the product can be used in households with cats. If you're not sure, ask a veterinarian before using it. Realize that insecticide sprays don't kill all stages of the flea's life cycle, so you may continue to see fleas for 2 weeks after you treat. Keep vacuuming during this time to keep flea numbers down. Never use products that contain pyrethroid, permethrin, or amitraz. These can be lethal for cats. Remove all people and pets from the room (including your cat, birds, or reptiles). Cover any fish tanks with plastic wrap and turn off tank aerators. Spray the insecticide directly onto areas where your pet sleeps. You can also spray carpets, rugs, furniture, baseboards, and windowsills. Don't forget to spray the carpet under your furniture too. Keep all household members (including your pets) away from sprayed areas until the insecticide dries (usually within 24 hours). Opening your windows or turning on your air conditioning can improve ventilation and the drying time. Make sure to follow the instructions on the label of the insecticide for additional tips.

SUMMARY:
Vacuum thoroughly. Wash home fabrics and bedding. Treat the rugs with an all-natural powder. Choose an insecticide. Apply the insecticide.