Having just (knock wood) survived a chest cold, I have a few tips. One is - forget allopathic medicine. Unless it is caused by a bacteria, there isn't much they can do. Cough medicines - OK if you can stomach them.

Herbs - mullein tinctures - one dropperful every four hours. If you're taking other meds, make sure it doesn't interfere with them. I take meds for lupus & depression & did not have a problem. YMMV. Mullein is good for membranes.

Garlic - one clove chopped up like small vitamin pills three times a day. Garlic is a good anti-viral, antibiotic, etc. Also keeps vampires away.

Humidifier with eucalyptus aromatherapy while you sleep. It will help you cough up the junk.

Zinc & vitamin C - careful with zinc. I only use it for about five days. Vitamin C - 1000-2000 mg/day or to bowel tolerance.

Riding -- well -- I still ride but very slowly and short distances when I start to feel better. I know "they" say to stay home, but I find it helps me cough (non-productive coughs are miserable) and generally makes me feel better.

Lots of fluids - clear water, not beer .