When it comes to treating colds, I'm that treat everything at home momma that never wants to take my kids to the doctor. In fact, I try to stay as far from the doctor's office as possible. Especially during this time of the year. As an experienced momma, I'm confident in my ability to treat my family when these germs come flooding through our home. When it comes to cold viruses, there really isn't a whole lot the doctor can do for you anyway. It's a VIRUS. It's self limiting, which means you have to simply let it run its course. If you're not too bad off, save yourself the extra money and time by treating your symptoms with products and items you may already have at home.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
ACV is a product that most people already have in their pantry. It's been around for a long time and and has so many uses. ACV has so many health benefits that you should just incorporate this into your daily diet. It is full of probiotics that act as fertilizer to the inner garden of your digestive tract. Not only does it help kill bad bacteria, it improves your lymphatic drainage and boosts your immune system. There are several ways you can take this. One way you can take this is to add a tablespoon of this to a little bit of water and take daily. You can also add this to veggies and salads or just take a tablespoon or two, as is. Make sure you use a good quality brand like Braggs due to a healthy beneficial bacteria called The Mother. There's also a fantastic tea that tastes amazing when you add this special ingredient to it.
BATHROOM/STEAMROOM
You don't have to go to the gym to create your own steam room. Instead, just plug your tub and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and take a nice warm to hot shower. If you're not up for a shower you can always just sit in the bathroom and allow the steam to go to work. The steam will help clear your airway by loosening the mucous in your nose, throat and chest. When it comes to sick kiddos you can always run a hot shower to get the bathroom steamy and then have them take a bath while the steam is in the room. Another way you can benefit from the effects of steam is to make your own steam tent. You do this by boiling some water and then placing it in a bowl and setting it on a table. Sit in front of the bowl and drape a towel over your head and the bowl keeping your head at least 10 inches above the water. If you put your head too close you can get burned. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and just inhale the steam. You don't have to stay under the towel for this amount of time. This is just an estimate. Do whatever is most comfortable for you. Not only will this help you feel better, it will make your skin look better too.
COCONUT OIL
I know, I know. I know what you're thinking already. Here we go again with another coconut oil obsession. We've all heard that coconut oil is beneficial in so many ways. Not only does it smell good, it's a 100% natural, good for your skin and a great healthy fat that you can ingest. I remember as a child, my mom would put Vaseline under our little noses when they were red and sore. It helped alleviate the chapped skin that was irritated from all the rubbing. Today I do the same thing with my own children but use coconut oil instead. If your little ones will not let you put it on or they wipe it off right after you put it on, place a little on them when they are sleeping. Trust me, they'll never know.
CHICKEN/BONE BROTH
Drinking broth is not just a made-up story grandma told you so that you'd eat your soup. It truly is a healing ailment. From inhibiting inflammation to detoxing the liver, and many more benefits, chicken broth is essential when you're feeling under the weather. If you don't have time to make it, you can always add powdered broth to a smoothie or drink for the extra benefits or purchase an organic broth from the grocery store.
GARLIC
This stinky white bulb is one of those love it or hate it foods. Not only is garlic an essential for flavoring many types of dishes, it is also a medicinal plant that has many healing properties. There have been studies and articles written about how garlic benefits our cardiovascular and respiratory systems. With that being said, there's no surprise that it would have benefits to the rest of the body as well. According to the Oxford Academic Journal of Nutrition Volume 131 Issue 3, garlic has been used for many different medical purposes all throughout history. There have been medical texts referencing the benefits of this unique plant among many countries including Egypt, Greece, Rome, China and India. Since garlic is so potent it can be difficult for some individuals to eat it as is. Another option and easier route is to simply purchase garlic supplements.
HONEY
This sweet goodness does more than just add flavor. It was also once used for healing wounds and treating infections. Honey is full of amino acids, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and so much more. It's no wonder its been a must have in the ancient world. Today most people use honey as an alternative to sugar but it does more than just flavor. This flower nectar acts as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and and antioxidant. Eat a teaspoon or two, or add to your favorite food or drink to help soothe a sore throat or cough.
HUMIDIFIER
Run a humidifier at night to help prevent your nasal passages from becoming to dry. Have you ever woke up with a sore throat or bloody nose when you were sick? I know I have. Well when your air passages become too dry, the dryness creates crusting on the inside of your nose and when irritated this can cause it to bleed. This dryness is also responsible for sore throats as well. Studies have shown that cold viruses and the flu transmit better in lower temperatures and lower humidity. Raise the humidity in your house by running a humidifier.
NETTY POT
A Netty pot is a wonderful tool when you're dealing with sinus issues. It's been around for many years and it really helps unclog an annoying stuffy nose. The best time to use it is when you're in the shower because it can get messy. The Netty Pot is just a little plastic pot that uses warm water and powdered salt. After you mix the solution, you place the end of the pot in your nose and allow the water to run through your nose and out of your mouth. Sounds gross and messy. It is and that's why I recommend doing it in the shower.
VITAMIN D
With sunlight being the major source of Vitamin D for children and adults, many of our levels drop this time of year due to spending more time indoors. According to an article found in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Vitamin D Deficiency is prevalent in 50% of the world, and is most common in Australia, the Middle East, India, Africa and South America. For people who have darker skin tones, your body has larger amounts of the pigment melanin, which acts as a natural skin protector. This means that you need longer exposures to the sun to get adequate amounts of Vitamin D. This vitamin can also be found in foods and is crucial for the immune system. Vitamin D is essential when fighting off viruses and bacteria and helps lower the risk of certain cancers, diseases and depression. Make sure that you get twenty minutes of sunlight daily and if you're prone to having low levels of Vitamin D, make sure you take a Vitamin D supplement to help keep your levels up.
WARM DRINKS
I know I mentioned earlier how beneficial chicken broth is, but how about warm drinks in general. Warm liquids help ease pain and muscle comfort by increasing circulation through a process called vasodilation. Vasodilation is the process in which blood vessels expand, allowing more blood flow and oxygen to travel throughout the body. Overall, warm drinks bring a feeling of comfort and relaxation. Strawberry Hibiscus Herbal Tea is one of my favorites. Try this Flu Bomb recipe for a warm beverage packed with lots of nature's goodness.
WATER
Who would've guessed it right? I cannot stress this enough. When I was working in the hospital I felt like a fluid pusher. Not only did we encourage patients to drink plenty of water, we were constantly keeping them hydrated with IV fluids if they weren't drinking enough water. As a whole, I think we really underestimate how much water we drink daily. Many of us think we drink enough water but in reality, we're just drinking enough to get by. When we are sick water keeps us hydrated, it helps flush all the toxins out and it loosens up phlegm to make it easier to expel. A rule of thumb is to drink half of your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 175lbs, you should drink 87 ounces of water a day. However, this is a recommendation for an overall healthy individual. There are some health conditions that would limit a person to the amount of water they can consume. If you have any health conditions please talk to your doctor first before drinking this amount of water. The best way to monitor how much you are drinking is to look at the color of your urine. The lighter your urine is the more hydrated you are.
Quick Disclaimer: I am just a mom sharing my experiences. I am in no way, shape, or form a physician or acting as such. If you have any medical questions or concerns please refer to your physician. If you are taking medications please make sure to discuss the above ingredients with your physician or pharmacist to make sure you do not have any harmful drug-herb interactions.
THANKS FOR READING!!
