Cold Season: Natural Remedies to Kick the Sick
It’s the start of a new year! The past is behind us, it’s the end of a decade! Hopes and dreams are high, it’s time for goal setting and resolutions! And…you’re sicker than all hell.
I don’t know about you but after a period of high stress and action, like the holidays, my body is always like, “nope, you're done.” It forcefully confines me to my bed with a box of tissues and a whole slew of cold symptoms. So I binge watch a million shows and do absolutely nothing. Which, besides the fact that I feel like absolute garbage, it’s quite nice! I think it’s 100% okay for you to listen to your body and take time for yourself to relax and recover. Physical reactions in your body are signs you need to listen to. Just like how a workout injury means you have to take it easy and rest that muscle, a common cold may mean you need to slow down.
That being said, we also have responsibilities and jobs that require our attention and it’s important to kick the sick sooner rather than later. So now is the time I start popping supplements like Skittles, taking things like Vitamin D, L-Lysine, Probiotics, Multivitamins, and B12, and downing them with gallons of water and packets of Emergen-C. I’m not a fan of the doctor and “quick-fix medications” and I strongly believe in natural medicine, working to build up your immune system to promote long term health. I know natural remedies aren’t for everybody, you may be more of a chug a bottle of DayQuil and call it a day kind of person, but I’d love for you to test some natural things out because it can’t hurt! I prefer to put things in my body with ingredients that I know what they are and how to even say it (For example, a few things DayQuil has in it are: Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine…uh what?).
So in addition to supplements, hydration, and lots of sleep (number one most important thing to do when getting sick!), I make myself lots of tea and soup and drag out the dreaded Neti Pot. For those of you who don’t know what a Neti Pot is, it’s “a container designed to rinse debris or mucus from your nasal cavity…to treat symptoms of nasal allergies, sinus problems or colds.” Personally, I think it’s more a common day torture device that is extremely uncomfortable and sends salty water and boogers down your throat if you’re not careful…but at least you can breathe afterward? I also went to the good ol’ Facebook to ask what other natural remedies people use when they get sick and here’s what I got for ya:
Make homemade Chicken Soup but especially with Bone Broth because it’s highly nutritious (lots of important vitamins and minerals), may protect and maintain joints, reduce inflammation and heal the gut/benefit digestive system, helps with sleep, and supports weight loss!
Apple Cider Vinegar it’s high in Acetic acid and can help kill pathogens/bacteria but also lowers blood sugar levels (studies show it’s helpful for those with Type 2 Diabetes), great for weight loss support, lowers cholesterol and may help stop cell damage (may help prevent cancer?).
Oil of Oregano Capsules, a natural antibiotic, antioxidant, with anti-inflammatory properties, said to improve gut health and potentially lowers cholesterol and relieve pain.
Kick-Ass Immune and Get Over It! a combo of herbs said to support immune health! (They’re by WishGarden, family-owned and run business).
Elderberry Syrup. I’d never heard of this one but Google says it’s used during common colds for boosting the immune system and also said to be helpful for sinus pain, nerve pain, back and leg pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome (among other things).
Colloidal Silver, good for immune support (fighting bacteria and viruses) and as a dietary supplement but shouldn’t be taken all the time (the brand recommended was Silver Wings).
Garlic! The advice I got was to chop up a glove and down it in a spoon with some olive oil (I opted to add it to pasta but quickly realized I’m so stuffed up I can’t taste anything anyway). It's said garlic combats sickness and boosts immune function. Other benefits: nutritious, may reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol, has antioxidants, and tastes great!
I hope you find this helpful, especially if you are currently like me, a stuffed up sick mess writing this from bed with a humidifier running next to me, or for next time the sick season hits your household (fingers crossed it never does!). If you have any other suggestions or cold remedies of your own feel free to comment them below. Rest up, and feel better soon!