In this day and age it is a pretty well-known fact that it can be difficult in finding the Tried and True – whether it be in break-ups to make-up, long-lasting products built without the factor of planned obsolescence or something as seemingly simple as a cure for what ever ails us. This can be most frustrating when dealing with frequent and recurring ailments, such as the “common” cold.
How is it *common* yet there is no *common* cure?
I run the risk of asking this question, knowing that there are a plethora of responses like: “let it run its course” and “drink lots of fluids” and many more I opt to overlook. To me, those are not cures or solutions, as it can take a “common” cold a ridiculous amount of days to “run its course.” And when you’re not well enough to consider doing much of anything, how does running to the bathroom every hour or so (give or take 30 minutes) from “drinking lots of fluids” encourage a quick recovery?
I have come to realize that there is one simple cure/solution for combating the “common” cold.
Listen to Your Body!
It is not unforeseen that the body alerts you when it has come to recognize the changes in season, the steady drop in temperature and how it chooses to deal with these effects. You can feel the difference almost instantaneously in your bones, your muscles, sometimes even your nerves. And due to our inclination to always be on the move, we generally ignore these signals and push our bodies to a breaking point…
Then we wonder: “How did I get sick?“
We bundled up every day we went out, we made sure to wear hats, gloves and thick socks (most of the time) and we ate lots of warm foods. However, we never stopped to consider that it may be best to expose ourselves a bit less to freezing (and below) temperatures and stay indoors bundled up with an array of blankets and a few cups of hot tea (no, not joe). We didn’t factor in that spending a bit more “ME” time with the self and spoiling the body with such things as sleep, hot foot baths and gentle massages would allow and provide for great circulation, relaxation and much needed stimulation.
While we have a tendency to take a few of those “personal sick days” off from work in the warm summer months, we ought to reconsider switching things up and relishing in that time during the winter season. It can really pay off in the end, most notably by ensuring a healthier, happier body that can ultimately stay “on the move.”
As I mentioned curling up with a few cups of hot tea, consider this Tried and True Tea Blend Recipe shared by the Vegetarian Health Institute:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup dried echinacea leaves
- 1/4 cup dried peppermint leaves
- 1/4 cup dried lemon balm leaves
- 3 Tbsp dried elder berries OR 1/4 cup dried elder flowers
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a glass jar and shake gently to combine. Seal jar tightly. Store your Cold and Flu Tea away from heat and light for up to a year. This blend will make approximately 24 cups of tea.
To Make One Cup of Tea:
- 1 cup of filtered water
- 2 tsp Cold and Flu Tea blend
- Green stevia for sweetener, if desired
Add tea blend to tea infuser or tea ball. Bring water to a boil, remove from heat. Pour water into mug and add tea. Steep for 5-10 minutes. Add green stevia (if using) and stir until dissolved. Drink up to 3 cups of tea per day as needed.
When the season first hits (which may be the case for the mid and east coasts right now!) I recommend having 2-3 cups of this blend daily for at least one week. You can supplement for other equally effective herbs [like Coriander, Garlic, Ginger, Goldenseal, Lemon+Honey, Mullein or Sage] or use the ones listed above singularly throughout the next week or two utilizing the same dosage. Continue alternating throughout the entire season.
Also, consider a foot bath (you can purchase a large bucket for under $3 from most dollar stores) with a nice portion of epsom salts. Make sure it’s hot enough to handle and soak for at least 20 minutes. Castor oil up afterward to encourage that much needed circulation, and make sure it’s not diluted. Lastly, be mindful of how and what you eat. Don’t be concerned about “fattening” up for the winter; focus on lots of Greens, Fruits and Vegetables. If you can home-make your dishes, I highly recommend doing so; it helps to better monitor what you’re eating. The key: The Fresher, The Better!
Combating the “common” cold starts with Listening to Your Body… if your body is down, you are down, so focus on staying Up.
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