Besides getting enough rest, these remedies might help you feel better: 1  Stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. 2  Rest. Your body needs to heal. 3  Soothe a sore throat.
The active ingredient in the Ricola cough drops is menthol, with 4.8 mg of menthol in each drop, according to Ricola. The menthol serves two purposes. First, it can help suppress a cough. Second, it can lessen pain you feel in the mouth and throat. Inactive Ingredients
When using menthol crystals at home to prepare various products like a salve or frangrance, always wear a mask. Avoid placing your head directly over the bowl or other container containing the crystals. The smell of 100 percent menthol crystals is very powerful. Menthol crystals are soluble in alcohol and oils like olive oil but not in water. They melt between 105 and 111 degrees Fahrenheit. Ratios of 5 to 20 percent menthol are common but for home use start with a low percentage until you develop a feel for the potency of the crystals and your tolerance.