For me, I've found that only a pinch of Sea Salt in water works better. I even float a roasted nori strip in it. And that's me. I've also been sipping ginger ale to help with cutting phlegm and settling tummy. Even drinking a bit of good egg nog with nutmeg, cinnamon and a bit of good vanilla extract, yummy! And running a vaporizer with vicks vapor... very soothing, and also good for breathing.