7 tips for natural healing
1. REST
It was midday at work when the dreaded cold feeling struck. I felt the fatigue coming, complete with pressure and congestion in my sinuses. As soon as I got home, I cancelled whatever else I had going on that day and let myself just veg out. Sometimes I try to work through my sickness. In fact, I usually stick with my regular workout routine because I feel like I’m going to “sweat out” my cold. This time I just took a chill pill. Not sure how much that contributed to kicking my cold, but a little R&R did at least do wonders for my mental health.
2. TEA
Besides hydrating with water, I constantly had a cup of herbal tea in my hands. Green tea and peppermint were my choices to start off the day. I drank lavender and chamomile at night to help me relax. Throughout the day, I had a variety. Many packaged teas come with labels like “Cold Comfort,” “Breathe Easy,” “Immune Support.” Look for anything that promotes respiratory/sinus health, immunity, and cold and flu fighters with ingredients like Echinacea, lemon, ginger, marshmallow, licorice, astragalus, elderberry, marjoram, etc. Brew, drink, repeat!
3. ELDERBERRY
Herbal supplements can do wonders, and I swear by elderberry. Pick it up at your local health food store. I use black elderberry syrup made by Gaia Herbs. I took 2 teaspoons at the onset of my cold, and 2 more later on in the day. I continued with a couple teaspoons a day until all symptoms were gone. Even then, I take it a couple times a week just to boost my immune system. Other herbs known to benefit colds are Echinacea and North American ginseng.
4. STEAM (hot baths and showers) + 5. ESSENTIAL OILS
That night I took a hot eucalyptus lavender bath. Just a couple drops of these essential oils in the water, and then I took one drop of eucalyptus and rubbed it around my sinuses, wrists, temples, and on the glands on my neck. If you haven’t used eucalyptus before, as with any oil, be cautious when using it around your face – it can be strong. You might try diluting first.
You can also put essential oils on your shower head, and take a hot shower. Breathing in eucalyptus will feel good on your stuffy sinuses. Other oils that are great for cold and flu: Lemon, peppermint, astragalus, rosemary, tea tree, pine, clover, and thyme.
6. NETI POT
I used my neti pot as soon as I started feeling sick and continued with it every morning for the next several days. Neti pots cleanse your sinus passage, and are a cheap investment for better health.
7. THE GOLDEN COLD KICKER!
I whipped up a tonic of sorts to help kick my cold. It fun to do a little low effort kitchen experiment to take a break from lounging! And it turned out to be a yummy, comforting drink that really did the trick on my ailment which may have otherwise turned into a nasty cold. I made two batches of it the night of my cold, and continued to drink it all week.
This drink is a spinoff of my Healing Turmeric Chai tea.
Ingredients:
1. 1 t cinnamon ~warming, clears congestion
2. ¼ t cardamom ~calming, clears congestion
3. ½ t clove ~comforting, loosens congestion
4. ¼ t nutmeg ~comforting, anti-inflammatory, major ingredient in cough syrups
5. 1 t ginger ~invigorating, antiviral, breaks fever
6. ½ t turmeric ~boosts antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral
7. ¼ t cayenne pepper ~heat, clears sinuses
8. 1-2 T manuka honey ~any honey will do, but manuka honey is renowned for its powerful healing properties
9. 1 T coconut oil ~antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, energy booster
10. 1 c coconut milk ~all the benefits of coconut and allows for quality absorption of turmeric
Heat coconut milk on medium in a small pot as you add all herbs and spices –everything but honey and oil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Stir in honey and oil, and then remove from heat. Once honey and oil have melted, pour tonic through a fine sieve into a blender. Blend on high for about 30 seconds. Pour your frothy tonic into a mug, cozy up, and enjoy!
Option to add ghee or use more coconut oil for a creamier drink! Written by Sierra Buckley
