Michelle's Natural Tips for Cold Season
It's a beautiful cold and rainy day in LA and I'm absolutely loving it! The new Christmas tree doesn't hurt either. The start of the holiday season often starts the onset of ailments. Everyone is running around stressed, overworked, freezing and malnourished…no wonder its cold and flu season. I wanted to share with you my totally natural remedies that have been successful for me 100% of the time.
I tend to go all out…with everything. If I'm doing something, I'm doing it big. So if I start feeling under the weather, I usually stop everything (because obviously it's not working) and start actually taking care of myself. If only I had the willpower to do that all of the time… but I digress. The only medicine I ever take is a simple over the counter pain killer when there is some serious shizz happening and I don't wanna deal. Cough syrup and "cold and sinus" pills only mask symptoms, they do nothing to actually heal and in fact do the opposite. After swearing off meat and harnessing my inner eco-hippie, I found Earthclinic, and my life changed again.
Let me start by listing some of the obvious cliches to be mindful of during this vulnerable time. Exercise, sleep, fruits & veggies, limited sugar & alcohol and de-stressing will all help you stay healthy! I know you hear it a million times…but one million and one more time doesn't hurt :)
So below are some ways I cure myself when I'm sick or for common problems during the holidays. This is, of course, only recommendations and not intended as medical advice or treatment for any disease or condition. (thumbs up for disclaimers!)
>>If you are feeling a bit wonky and think you might be coming down with something, or just a general cold...
Drink KOMBUCHA immediately!
This is a miracle drink. I swear by it. Some people even drink it all the time. It is fermented mushroom tea that has an acquired vinegar taste. Trust me, it's worth it!!! Suck it up and drink it. Two a day (not after 7pm) until you feel like an amazing superhero again.
Put hydrogen peroxide in your ears!
That's a good header. Seriously though, it works. Especially for nasal issues. A capfull in each ear for 10 minutes each. I recommend laying on your side while it's working' it's magic.
Take Vitamins and lots of Vit C!
Emergen-C, supplements, liquid C, oranges…whatever you have…take it! And take it with a healthy meal. If you take them with a twinkie or cheeseburger, none of the good stuff will get absorbed. This will rev up your immune system.
Take Echinacea and Grapefruit Seed Extract
Both help the immune system immensely. i recommend liquid versions of both. 3x/day.
You can make this as much as you like, but aim for 2-3x per day. You will need: Fresh Ginger, Honey, Cayenne Pepper, Lemons (and Stevia or honey if you need a sweetener). Instructions: Cut ginger in thick chucks to make about 1 heaping Tablespoon, put in mug. Pour warm/hot water (NOT boiling) over and let sit for 2 minutes. Squeeze 1/2 of lemon into the mug. Pour 1 or 2 shakes of Cayenne Pepper into the tea and it's ready to go. Stir as you drink it.
Drink a warm glass of Apple Cider Vinegar (1Tablesppon) and baking soda (1/4 teaspoon) 1-3x per day. Honey optional.
>>For Specific Ailments…
(all of the above, plus…)
Sinus Issues
Eat lots of garlic and raw, red onions.
Do the nedi pot or nedi-med rinse 3x a day! They come with a saline solution but that doesn't work. My concoction is 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon SEA salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in warm water. If you're feeling adventurous put a few drops of liquid grapefruit seed extract in there.
Load up on vitamin C, preferably the liquid kind, as it's more potent. 1000-3000 mg per day depending on the intensity of the sinus issue. Vitamin C helps cure sinus issues like woa! Keep taking it even after you feel better.
Make Tomato Tea. There are two ways to make this as seen on Earthclinic. I opt for completely home made: Tomatos, garlic, lemon juice and hot peppers. Blend a few tomatoes and pepper in a blender and transfer to pot. Crush 2-5 cloves garlic and put in pot. Juice 2-4 Tablespoons lemon juice and put in pot. Heat until warm and have as much of this as you like. Keep making this even after you feel better.
Cold showers. No, really.
Take a whole red onion and slice it up (can be thick slices). In a bowl, put in the first slice, then a drizzle of honey. Then put the 2nd slice and another drizzle of honey over that. Again and so on until the whole onion is in there. You can substitute sugar for honey if need be. Refrigerate for 4+ hours. After that, drink the syrup that is in the bowl. You can drink it over a day or at once. It will be sweet.
Have lots of RAW organic honey and hot liquids like soup, tea and water.
Flu Virus or Crazy Full Blown Colds
Oil Pulling. Swish oil in your mouth for 20 minutes. It's intense.
Pain (which is inflammation)
Drink a glass of water with a Tablespoon of Tumeric really fast. You can do this up to 2x per day.
Have coconut oil internally or rub it onto affected area
Don't drink w/ your meals!
The apple cider drink listed above, but NOT with meals.
Do you have any questions about any of this? Feel free to ask!