I am doing some traveling this week and am sharing an essay I wrote a few years ago. I hope you find it helpful.
Having had a good seven weeks of improved eating and exercising and after bragging to my mother that I couldn’t remember the last time I had been sick, I was blind-sided by a hacking cough, and body aches.
I learned a few lessons from this experience.
1. Don’t brag. Bragging has a way of catching up with and embarrassing you.
2. Don’t ignore what your body is telling you.
If you’re tired, your body needs to rest. You’re not lazy or weak. You probably got sick in the first place because you weren’t listening.
3. Using the right home remedies may be exactly what you need to help you feel better quickly.
Here’s a few that have worked wonders for me.
Stay Hydrated
-Drinking a homemade honey tea not only keeps you hydrated, but also helps heal upper respiratory distress.
Antiseptic tea. The name sounds so…antiseptic, so I changed the name to “honey tea,” and made some adjustments.
4 C water
2 Whole Cloves (antiseptic, fights infection)
1 tsp. Turmeric (anti-inflammatory)
1 tsp. Ginger – powdered or chopped (fights inflammation)
1 tsp. Cinnamon (reduces inflammation)
Bring to a boil. Simmer 10 mins on med/low heat
Add
2 Tbsp. Honey (soothing, anti-bacterial)
2 Tbsp. Coconut oil (anti-bacterial)
Adjust ingredients to taste. Can be halved.
Run a humidifier
Especially in cold, dry, air.
Add the healing benefits of essential oils to your humidifier i.e. eucalyptus, melaleuca, lemon, peppermint, clove.
These are just a few of many essential oils that are not only comforting but healing.
Use Mental Imagery
Our thoughts activate neural pathways that create physical responses.
Did you know you can influence your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure with your thoughts? So, use your ability to visualize to your benefit.
When feeling a coughing attack coming on, instead of expecting the pain, the tightness, the shortness of breath, visualize light pouring in through your chest or down through your head and expanding and relaxing the chest cavity and lungs, opening the bronchioles and lungs.
Imagine the sense of expansion and openness in your chest. Visualize the outcome you want and you will soon be able to experience it.
It takes some practice, but visualization can effectively reduce out of control coughing fits, which in turn allows the body to stay calm and heal itself.
Use a Castor Oil pack
Castor oil has been used in the healing of various ailments in many cultures for many centuries. It has been shown to strengthen the immune system, has anti-inflammatory benefits and also is a gentle detoxifier.
It supports the lymphatic system, increases circulation, prevents growth of viruses, bacteria, yeasts and molds, fights infections, acne, constipation, and so much more.
You can easily research more specifics, but basic instructions on making a castor oil pack are:
Saturate a cotton or flannel cloth with castor oil. Lay it on your chest (or affected area). Place a saran wrap covering on top to keep the oil from getting on your clothes. Place a heated water bottle or rice pack on top and lay down and rest for 30-60 minutes while your body absorbs the healing benefits.
These are just a few home remedies I have tried over the years and have found great benefit.
I hope you don’t need them, but in case there comes a time you do, here’s to your quick recovery!
Much love,
