Only halfway through the winter months still leaves us in the thick of cold & flu season. And if you live in Michigan or anywhere like it the weather is not helping. We are experiencing negative twenty degrees one day, then swing to forties and rain, to ice storms, then back to more snow. These extreme swings in the weather aren't helping matters any, for sure. Despite what may or may not be happening with the weather or your surroundings, we all can be susceptible. To battle this we have some great natural remedies that can help boost the body's amazing natural immune system. Even once an illness has started there are things you can do to get your wellness back on track, help shorten the duration and get you feeling better faster.
SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES WITH THINGS YOU PROBABLY HAVE ON HAND
Sick and/or Sore Throat - Mix 2 tablespoons of honey (raw local honey is best), 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (I prefer Bragg's. Whichever you choose, purchase organic with the mother in it), 2 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon, and a dash of cinnamon. Mix with hot water and drink as a tea.
Sore Throat Salt Gargle - 1 tsp of salt (I prefer Pink Himalayan), grated ginger, 1 tsp of honey mixed in 1 cup of warm water.
Strep Throat - 4 cloves of garlic minced, 1-4 tablespoons of honey (raw local is best), and 1/8-1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper. Stir ingredients together in a small bowl. Take about 1/2 teaspoon every half hour or as desired. Be sure to let mixture sit on the back of the throat for a few minuets, do not wash down with liquid.
Cough - 2 thick slices of fresh pineapple with peel removed, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper (omit or reduce for children), about 1/2 inch piece of ginger peeled and chopped, and the juice of 1 lemon. Blend everything in a blender or food processor until smooth. Keep in the refrigerator and take as needed.
GREAT PRODUCTS TO HAVE ON HAND DURING COLD & FLU SEASON
Fire Cider is amazing for boosting your inner fire and warding off seasonal chills. I would highly recommend taking daily as a preventative during the cold & flu season. This fire cider recipe contains raw ACV (apple cider vinegar) infused with powerful immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and decongestant movers. It does take about a month to mature so I recommend starting a batch at the end of summer so you are ready in the fall when cold and flu season usually begins.
I recommend taking 1-2 tablespoons throughout fall and winter as a preventative measure, or every 3 to 4 hours if symptoms are present.
Recipe:
1/2 cup freshly peeled, diced or grated ginger root
1/2 cup peeled and grated horseradish root
1/4 cup garlic chopped
1/2 cup white onion chopped
1/2 cup peeled and diced turmeric
2 to 4 cayenne peppers
zest and juice from 2 lemons
ACV (apple cider vinegar). Enough to cover all ingredients by at least 2 inches honey to taste. I prefer Bragg's. Whichever you choose, purchase organic with the mother in it.
Raw local honey (optional)
Place all chopped ingredients in a glass jar and cover all the ingredients with the ACV. Let sit for 4 weeks. Strain. Sweeten to taste with honey (optional).
If you don't want to make it yourself I highly recommend Herbal Revolution's Fire Tonic. We plan to add this to our line and have available in the fall of 2019!
Elderberry is well known for supporting the body, especially during flu. You can find conventionally made elderberry syrups at many stores now and online. I highly recommend Herbal Revolution's Elderberry Tonic. You can also make you own. There are many recipes online. We plan to add this to our product line in the fall of 2019 as well!
Chamomile – An absolute must to have on hand, especially for kids. Chamomile calms the nerves, helps children sleep better, and reduces inflammation or fever. I get all my herbs I do not grow myself at Mountain Rose Herbs. They have chamomile available in a tea or extract.
Guess what? We will also be adding a line of teas for your enjoyment over the summer!
Lavender & Honey's Purify Essential Oil Blend is specially created to diffuse and purify the air to defend against dreadful viruses and bacteria to help prevent illness. Great to diffuse as a preventive during cold and flu season.
Lavender & Honey's Warrior Essential Oil Blend is specifically blended to assist in alleviating cold and flu symptoms such as coughs, cold, sore throat, congestion, headache, muscular aches and pains, stomach cramps, and intestinal spasms. It's essential oils carry properties that protect against viruses, bacteria, parasites, inflammation, and fungus. This blend is an immune stimulant, antiseptic, and cools a fever or warms chills.
Lavender & Honey's Just Breathe all natural vapor rub will ease cold and flu symptoms, help relieve congestion and/or coughing.
Lavender & Honey's Congestion Crusher Essential Oil Blend stimulates the regeneration of lung tissue, which helps to strengthen the lungs and open the airways, so you are able to breath better. It works well as an expectorant and helps expel mucus and reduce inflammation. It may also soothe laryngitis and sinusitis.
Lavender & Honey's Congestion Shower Melts will cleanse your lungs and dissipate congestion no matter the source: cold, flu, allergies, or sinuses. Place a shower melt on the floor of a hot and steamy shower. Then relish your airways opening, and your lungs cleansing.
SUPER SIMPLE BUT SUPER IMPORTANT!
Getting enough sleep – Getting enough sleep is also crucial to preventing illness. Even a couple nights of interrupted or not enough sleep can leave the body worn down and susceptible to illness. If you are not feeling well from the cold or flu rest is super important to healing and wellness. Your body will return to wellness much faster if you rest versus powering through it. Sleep IS healing, give yourself permission to rest!
Hydrate – Hydration is essential. If the body is running a fever (which means it is fighting the illness) the best support you can give is to stay well hydrated with plenty of water with lemon, broth, and herbal teas. If you are running a fever, it is easier to get dehydrated, so drink enough water!
Prioritizing whole nutritious foods – Avoiding grains, sugars, and other highly starchy foods ensures that the body is functioning at peak immunity should it encounter a virus or bacteria. Grains, sugars, sugary drinks, processed foods do not offer nutrition for healing and create a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.
Hot liquids – This one is pretty instinctive, but be sure to load up on hot herbal teas and warm lemon water at first sign of illness. The heat helps boost immune system and a variety of herbs can help with illness and infection. Lemon is also a great natural source of vitamin C.
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