Ok, normally, I think of myself as a pretty badass chick. I work hard, play hard (riding long distances on my bike (sometimes uphill)), I even have tattoos. But when I’m sick, it’s like the world is coming to an end.
Normally, I also have a pretty high tolerance bull doody, but when I’m sick my tolerance level plummets like one of those rides at Disney Land that just goes straight down at the speed of light in a tiny box elevator. You know the one.
The one thing I won’t do is complain. Instead, I go deep within like a dark cave, until I see the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” when I start to feel better. But there are things I do to help get there faster. Here are a few of my favorite things when I get sick.
The Immune Boosters
On my short list of immune boosters is my ginger turmeric wellness shot. Sometimes I wish I could just take it IV, but it does, in fact, come in a shot glass. Two to four ounces of freshly squeezed juice of turmeric root, ginger root, and either juice of one lemon or orange. I add some black pepper and oregano oil to round it out. And let me tell ya, it packs a punch! This is not for the weak!
If you want a hot drink to warm you up, I like to simmer some ginger, turmeric, and a cinnamon stick for 30 minutes. It makes a delicious tisane hot or cold.
Vegetable soup is warming, soothing, and nourishing. Any and all vegetables are welcome to this party! And the more the merrier. Instead of the usual chicken soup, I let the chickens run free letting the vegetables do all the heavy lifting. Remember to add herbs to your soup to give it flavor.
When I have a sore throat, like I did this week, I take a zinc lozenge with either elderberry or Echinacea and drink tea with Echinacea to help soothe it. Elderberry helps more with sore throat, Echinacea for all over body aches and cold symptoms. Echinacea and Goldenseal tea or capsules also help with cold symptoms.
I also load up on greens. When you’re not feeling well your body needs nourishment, but ironically you have no appetite. My solution is to juice my vegetables and drink my nutrients or you can add powdered greens to smoothies or shakes to provide that extra boost of nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants.
The Reliable Sidekicks
Getting over a cold goes much faster if you can flush the toxins out. So my go-to is nasal rinses. I sometimes think of them as a torture device, but it sure does work!
I also drink tons of filtered water, which sometimes feels like drinking from a fire hose, but it keeps me hydrated and flushes out the viruses and bacteria. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, you can add lemon juice or lemon slices, orange slices, or cucumber slices. Cucumber is also a natural diuretic, promoting a healthy urinary system. Tea is another good option.
The Pain Relievers
For sore throat, I find that salt water rinses make a formidable ally in squelching the discomfort. The lozenges I mentioned above help too. And don’t forget about tea with lemon and honey.
Back in the old country, I used to love when my grandmother did cupping on me. It seemed to suck the pain and illness right out. I promise, it was magic! Cupping seems to be making a come back, but I should mention if you’ve never had it done it leaves perfectly concentric circular bruises on your back. It’s still a great option if you don’t have to wear a fancy open-back ball gown anytime soon thereafter.
Finally, a hot bath with epsom salts can do wonders to soothe muscle and body aches (whether from a cold or exercise).
I hope this has been helpful and wish you much health and strength!
