every damn time.
every single time the seasons change, my immune system just taps out. minneapolis went from 50 degrees to a full-blown snowstorm overnight, and now i’m suffering the consequences. that being said, my very loving partner jett made me a hot healing potion—a chaotic mix of pantry staples that tastes like fire, salt, and regret, but actually works.
🌿 believing in magic doesn’t mean ignoring science—this brew is loaded with real medicinal benefits AND magical properties to help kick this cold’s ass.
✨ THE POTION RECIPE✨
hot water
medicinal purposes: keeps me hydrated, helps break up mucus, soothes the throat, and warms my insides so i don’t feel like a haunted corpse.
magical purposes: water is the element of healing, intuition, and flow. the ultimate energy conductor, enhances the properties of all the ingredients, transforms and carries intention. in this case? flushing all the sickness out of my body.
flaky salt
medicinal: helps with hydration and electrolyte balance. also lightly antibacterial, so it’s pulling out the nasties.
magical: purification and protection. when you add salt, you’re literally warding off negative energy—whether that’s bad vibes or the absolute plague in my sinuses.
black pepper
medicinal: clears congestion, antibacterial improves circulation, warms the body and helps the body absorb nutrients more effectively, aka aids digestion (important when i have the appetite of a victorian orphan).
magical: wards off negativity, removing bad energy, increases strength, and adds fire energy to burn away sickness. basically, an immune system bouncer.
crushed red chili pepper
medicinal: packed with capsaicin, which fights inflammation, opens up sinuses, helps circulation, and boosts immunity. makes me sweat out whatever demon is possessing my lungs.
magical: increases energy, speed, and power. protecting, banishing. this is an amplifier—it cranks up whatever intention i set for this potion. in this case? get better, fast.
honey
medicinal: soothes a sore throat, is naturally antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and boosts the immune system. straight-up liquid gold when you feel like death.
magical: prosperity, attraction, love, and healing. also, sweetens your words and energy, which is important when all i’ve been doing is whining about being sick.
lemon
medicinal: full of vitamin C, breaks up mucus, supports the immune system, and helps flush out toxins.
magical: purification, clarity, solar energy, and renewal. symbolically cutting through the illness (aka negativity) and making room for healing.
✨ OPTIONAL SUBSTITUTIONS OR ADDITIONS ✨
if you wanna boost the potion, here’s what to add:
ginger
medicinal: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, helps with nausea, and gives the immune system a HARD reboot.
magical: fire energy, strength, and courage. it’s the magical equivalent of slamming an espresso.
garlic
medicinal: nature’s antibiotic, fights infections, and strengthens the immune system. (this is the OG medicine cabinet ingredient. vampires be gone!)
magical: wards off evil, protection, and banishing. in this case? kicking my cold to the curb.
turmeric
medicinal: anti-inflammatory, helps with respiratory issues, and supports overall healing.
magical: protection, purification, and strength. burns away what no longer serves you—like, say, this cold.
cinnamon
medicinal: increases circulation, warms the body, helps with congestion, and is lightly antibacterial.
magical: fire energy, success, and power. also makes everything taste less aggressively medicinal.
bay leaf
medicinal: antimicrobial, helps clear up lungs, and can reduce fever symptoms.
magical: manifestation and protection. write your healing intention on the leaf before adding it to the tea. (bonus: it smells amazing.)
rosemary
medicinal: antiseptic, great for respiratory issues, and helps clear the mind (aka, fights that gross brain fog when you’re sick).
magical: healing, clarity, and protection. keeps illness at bay (pun intended).
chamomile
medicinal: anti-inflammatory, calming, and helps you sleep. when you’re sick, rest is the best spellwork.
magical: relaxation, peace, and dream magic. chamomile eases the body and spirit.
whiskey (with some caveats)
medicinal benefits: decongestant, opens up blood vessels, numbing agent, relaxer, helps sleep, mildly antibacterial
magical benefits: strength, resilience, lubricant for transformation magic, banishing, protection, courage, confidence, spirit/ancestor connection
don’t add it if: you’re dehydrated or running a fever, you’re taking medicine that interacts badly with alcohol, you need to be functional and alert, or you know yourself and you’ll pour in half the bottle instead of a splash
🔥 THE DIRTBAG WITCH’S HEALING CHANT 🔥
this brew is fire, this brew is light
burn the sick, set me right
lemon sharp, honey sweet
salt and spice, clear the heat
body strong, fever break
let me rest, let me wake
i drink. i heal. i rise.
or if you’re not into rhyming, say what you want, but add some intentionality behind it. spells can work for you, babes. try something like:
fire in my chest, salt in my veins, warmth in my bones. body, wake up. immune system, do your job. may this potion heal, cleanse, and restore. i release this sickness, i call in my strength. may it be so, and so it is.
🧪 HOW TO USE IT:
• hover over your cup like a cryptid and breathe in the steam. let the warmth wake up your lungs and shake the sick loose.
• mutter or whisper the incantation as if you’re sealing a deal with the universe. feel it sink into the potion.
• sip slow, let it burn, let it soothe. picture the ingredients doing their damn job.
• optional bonus: stir clockwise to welcome in healing, or counterclockwise to banish the plague from your body like a medieval exorcism.
‼️OF NOTE‼️
just because i’m drinking my ✨witchy brew✨ doesn’t mean i’m ignoring modern medicine. i’m still taking meds, hydrating, sleeping like an exhausted cryptid, and willing to go to a doctor if this gets worse
magic isn’t about rejecting science—it’s about working with it. this potion is full of actual medicinal benefits AND it’s infused with intent and energy. you can do both. you should do both.
most importantly if you’re sick right now—let yourself rest. the spell is working. the medicine is working. the body is doing its thing. you’ll be back to causing problems (on purpose) soon enough
anywho, posting this now, curling up under six blankets, and waiting for the magic to kick in. pray for me.
