Foods for Better Health & Wellness

Kalee Carson

Cold and Flu Remedies for Fall

It’s the time of year when many people experience colds and flu. Of course there is the flu vaccine for some, but there are a growing number of people out there who are less confident in the flu vaccine. Some have had a negative experience or worse an allergy to what is contained in the vaccine itself.

This week I want to give you some more natural options to fight the colds and flu before you get them and some comforting remedies to make symptoms easier to handle, if you do get them!!

Prevention is Key

First we should be getting plenty of rest and eating a healthy diet. Many of us have a hard time just accomplishing these two simple things. Increasing the amount of Vitamin C you get in your diet is one good way to boost the immune system. Vitamin C is in citrus fruits, think oranges, lemons, limes, adding these to water for flavor, teas, and to enhance the flavors of your food by squeezing them on. Supplements are also available in health food stores and pharmacies.
Keeping hydrated is another way to help prevent colds and flu. A well hydrated body means that mucous membranes and lungs are well lubricated and more able to fight off infections. Also, being hydrated keeps things moving through the body, including toxins.

Are you sleep deprived? Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Losing sleep can very quickly lessen your body’s immune defenses and leave you more susceptible. Always wash your hands frequently. It is not necessary to use antibacterial soaps as they are being overused these days and as a result, many new “superbugs” are being discovered. Use regular soap and water, wash hands and lower arms thoroughly, sing “Happy Birthday” through at least twice to be sure the job is well done. Also, keeping hands away from face and nose while out and unable to wash is important to keep from introducing bugs into our systems. Hand sanitizers can help, but they are not a substitute for good old hand washing. If you use them, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly as soon as you are able.

So, Prevention Didn’t Work…

Sometimes no matter how hard we try, we still catch a cold or flu, and when we do, there are a few things we can do to make the symptoms more bearable. It is advisable to avoid congestion causing foods and drinks during a cold or flu. Dairy, sugar, fried foods, wheat and yeast can be some of the worst and can actually cause your body to produce more mucous and heal more slowly. 

First there is salt water; it has a couple of different uses. Warm salt water to gargle with can be very soothing to a sore throat. The salt water also disinfects and sloughs away bacteria and germs, allowing the throat to heal more quickly. In a neti pot or bottle, warm salt water can help flush sinuses and nasal passages to soothe and decongest naturally. If you have ear problems use a bottle rather than a neti pot, as the angle of the head while using a neti pot can cause the water to run up the Eustachian tubes, aggravating ear problems. A neti bottle can be used with the head in an upright position, thus avoiding this problem.

Steam is also very helpful when there is both nasal congestion and chest congestion. It can help rehydrate dried out mucous membranes and can thin mucous making it easier for the body to get rid of.

There are some herbal remedies that can help as well. Slippery Elm is an herb that can be used to make a tea and it can help soothe a sore throat and make it easier to swallow. Many health food stores also carry throat sprays and lozenges that contain slipper elm. Stinging Nettles (they no longer sting once heated) made into a tea has a fair amount of vitamin C and can be used to thin mucous making it easier for the body to handle. Always buy your herbs from a reputable source and don’t try to gather them on your own unless you have been taught how to by an expert.

Honey is known to boost the immune system. It can be added to teas to help boost the body and can be added to lemon as a hot or cold drink. It can also help reduce phlegm. Ginger has also been recognized for its health benefits. The following is an Ayurvedic Drink that can be used on a daily basis to strengthen the immune system and/or during an illness to lessen the symptoms.

Golden Wellness Drink

Steep
½ lemon cut in two and squeezed
1 tsp. fresh grated ginger
½ tsp. Turmeric (anti-inflammatory)
1 pint water –boiled
Once the mixture has cooled enough to drink, remove the lemon, add
Raw honey to sweeten to taste (remember do not give honey to a child under one year of age) Stir often while drinking!!
To make only one cup, half recipe.

I drink this 1 cup in the evening before bed, and the other cup I refrigerate till morning (instead of coffee) and re-heat in the microwave. This is a wonderful detox for the liver, can help anyone with arthritis and inflammation in the joints, and absolutely will decongest your head and chest during a cold or flu and help you sleep peacefully.

I truly hope that everyone can avoid the colds and flu this season, however, if not I hope this helps you feel better.

Until next time, Stay Healthy!!

Love,
Kalee Carson

Click Here to read more of Kalee's articles...