Better Week Than Mine

I hope your last week was much better than mine!

Having had a good 7 weeks of improved eating, 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 (as my daughter described it) cough and body aches that caught me off-guard!

1^st lesson learned: Don’t brag. It will always catch up to and embarrass you.

I also learned a few other lessons that perhaps will help you, if you happen to find yourself suffering from a similar seasonal illness. I’m not a doctor and of course, depending on what you may be experiencing, some of these suggestions would need to be tweaked.

I wanted to share a few home remedies that have helped me. Some may seem rather obvious and others may seem rather unusual, but they may be just the thing you need!

Given in no specific order:

Get a lot of sleep!

Don’t ignore how tired you feel. You’re not being lazy or weak. Your body is talking to you. And, I hate to say it, you probably got sick because you weren’t listening in the first place!

Stay hydrated.

Chicken soup, especially out of bone broth is a wonderful, comforting remedy.

Antiseptic tea. The name sounds so…antiseptic, so I changed the name to “honey tea.” I’ve used this recipe for so long that I don’t know who to give credit to, but here’s the recipe:

2 C boiling water
1 whole clove (antiseptic and fights infection)
1/4 tsp. powdered ginger (fights inflammation)
1/8 tsp. cinnamon (reduces inflammation)
4 tsp. raw honey (soothing, sweetening & anti-inflammatory)

Drink on this all day to help you stay hydrated but also to help heal upper respiratory distress.

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 by 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 and 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 and for many centuries. It has been shown to strengthen the immune system, has anti-inflammatory benefits and also is a gentle detoxification. 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 google 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,