I have an absolutely stonking cold.
One that seems to have come out of nowhere and it’s driving me totally nuts. I never usually get ill, I don’t have time for it. Yet my poor nose is running and my sinuses are killing – the worst I think I have ever experienced. Also I consider myself to be a very healthy person in terms of what I eat and the amount of activity I do, so last December when I was struck down with an awful bout of flu, I was determined to get my immunity levels back up to its usual standard. Now, in terms of the flu shot – I have never had it. It wasn’t common for young, healthy people to get the shot in the UK when I was living there (just the old, the young and the pregnant got the shots), so it’s never really been on my radar as I never got the flu. My mind may have changed though, as the dose of flu my other half and I were treated to before Christmas was in one word, horrendous. I hadn’t been that sick in easily over ten years, probably more. So I thought “right, maybe it is time to get the flu shot after all”. Yet we arrive back in Canada after Crimbo in the UK, only to be told by various media outlets and friends and even my own doctor, that Calgary was clean out of the vaccine, lock, stock and barrel. Bloody marvellous.
So I embarked on ‘ramping it up’ in terms of my health and wellness – big time. There was no way I was going to get that sick again. However, after somewhat burning the candle at both ends last Saturday (as one does when out with a girlfriend you haven’t seen in ages), and having one too many glasses of Prosecco (why do we always have that extra glass more?), I wasn’t feeling the best on Sunday, and by Tuesday I had a fully fledged cold. I did manage to stave off any ‘flu-like’ symptoms by getting about 9 hours sleep a night (yes I am a HUGE sleeper, it’s one of my talents), and I had a wondrous Epsom salts bath. It was divine. I could almost feel any hint of those foulsome flu bugs drifting away in the steam as I relaxed with face mask on and breathed in the joyful scent of Jo Malone’s ‘Roses’ candle. An item that is a ‘must have’ for me in my bedroom and bathroom – much to the annoyance of my husband. He is always complaining about all my “lotions and potions” and how I often “smell like a Pharmacy”. Well if smelling clean, fresh and natural like Jo Malone is like a Pharmacy, that’s one Pharmacy I want to visit. Her products make you feel like you have brought the spa home – totally blissful.
I also took a trip to one of my favourite shops – Community Natural Foods, to stock up on super foods and supplements to help me on my way to regaining a gold standard of health. I have to say, after doing all of the below, I believe that my immune system will award me a Platinum level as I cannot believe how much better I feel! Try my top tips out below, I promise they worked wonders for me. Also share with me your top tips for beating the cold and flu season? I say it’s ‘power in numbers’ when you feel you are getting sick, so you need to really bash those bothersome bugs and viruses on all sides. Stay warm and stay healthy chaps.
Until next time…
Live, love and laugh lots, Mrs T.
9 Tips to Boost Your Immune System for Colds and Flu:
1. Love Lemons – I’m sure you’re all aware of how amazing lemons are for you. Not only are they great for your digestive system (we all know about lemon squeezed in warm water and drunk first thing in mornings), but they are brilliant for your immune system as well. Lots of vitamin C, D and Zinc. I swear by this little concoction below when I feel a cold coming on. The cayenne gives it a nice kick, so you may need to experiment with how much you like. I love mine spicy, great for the metabolism as well.
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 piece of ginger, thumb sized – peel and cut into small pieces, then boil in water on the stove top for 15 mins drain and add to cup of hot water
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 tbs organic maple syrup
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 grind of black pepper
- 5 drops of bee propolis
2. Spirulina a Super Hero
This little bad boy is actually an ‘algae’ and is literally the best thing you can put into your body, whether or not you are feeling under the weather. Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you eat a load of pond scum, so stick with me here. It’s official name is ‘cyanobacterium’ and it is absolutely jam-packed with all sorts of goodness like protein (65%) and amino acids and a whole host of other things – you can check this other great blog ‘Wellness Mama’ to find out more. You can buy spirulina in either capsule or powder form. I like the capsules, because you can take them as is, or you can open them and add them to all sorts, I often add them to my Smoojuices or soups, you can’t taste it, and it makes a really nice deep green colour. I honestly have felt a huge difference in my overall health and energy since taking spirulina. So make sure you check it out and start ramping up your own superpowers!
3. The Neti Pot
The Neti what? Yes that was my reaction when I first heard about this, what on earth is this odd sounding, supposed ‘remedy?’ Then I Googled it and thought it looked even odder – basically a Neti pot looks like a very small jug with a long spout, a small watering can if you will. You fill the Neti pot with warm water or a saline mixture (available from drug stores), bend over the sink, tilt your head to the side and then pour it into one nostril so that is drains out the other. See? Isn’t it totally bizarre? It’s basically like doing a ‘nasal douche’, but far far better than the other sort of douche (something that I have never done or understood for that matter I might add). But it really does work. The idea behind the Neti pot is that it gives your schnoz a darn good clean out, sweeping out bacteria and relieving your sinuses. It does feel a bit odd the first time, but bear with it as it can work wonders. Visit this great blog I found giving you more info about a) signs that you need a good ‘neti potting’ and b) how to use this joyous little jug.
4. Sleep it Away
As I mentioned earlier, I am a huge sleeper. I can’t always fall asleep and the quality isn’t always 100%, but I pretty much make sure I’m in bed by 10:00pm most nights. As my dad always says “sleep is body maintenance” and it really is. When you’re feeling under the weather it’s so important to get even more sleep time under the duvet. You’d be amazed how much better you feel if you switch off the TV or put away your smart phone and just hit the hay. It’s important your room isn’t too hot or cold, plus it must be really dark. Eye masks can really help with this, we like to have a lot of natural light in our bedroom, but at night you want it really pitch black, so an eye mask for me is a must. So bounce to your boudoir early, because again, it works wonders for your health.
5. Even More Water
We all know by now that we should be drinking eight glasses of water a day. But when you’re ill it’s even more important to up your H2O levels. You need the fluids to flush out the virus/bacteria. Hot green tea is also a good option, looks for ones infused with Echinacea or add some drops of Echinacea tincture. You may find yourself heading to the loo more often, but this is a good thing, you’re clearing out the system, so drink up!
6. Optimum Oils – Oregano and Olbus
Two amazing oils. The latter I have used to help me through colds since I was a little kid. Olbus oil was introduced to me by my Granny and the smell always reminds me of her. Olbus is a combination of eucalyptus oil, menthol, cajuput oil, clove oil and juniper berry oil. It is superb at clearing the sinus, just add a few drops to a tissue or add some to your humidifier or oil burner. The smell is wonderful and you can feel your nose clearing instantly.
I recently learned about the magic of oil of oregano. It was very new to me, as I’m used to tossing the dried variety into my spag bol when cooking, but in this format you take a few drops of the oil in water or directly in the mouth. Oregano is a powerful, natural antibiotic and also has antiviral properties. Many health studies have shown how the oil has had great success in helping to ward off colds and flu. When you feel the symptoms coming on, be sure to get some of this in you. But be warned – ensure you have a nice ‘chaser’ ready, such as a sip of coconut water or some fruit as it tastes really terrible. But again, it really does work.
7. Simbacol
This to me is ‘liquid health in a bottle’. I was recommended this by the lovely sales assistant at Community Natural Foods. They are not only very helpful there, but very knowledgable too. It is a syrup that has extract of black elderberry, an ancient plant that was used by Hippocrates for it’s antivirus and antiviral properties. When you take Simbacol, the natural properties of the black elderberry attach themselves to the virus cell and ‘inhibit’ it from causing havoc in your body. You can get a more scientific explanation and learn more here.
8. Green juice and soup
This is another go-to of mine when I feel out of sorts. I went to the supermarket and loaded up my trolley with a veritable forest of green goodness with luscious leaves such as swiss chard, kale, spinach, collards, coriander (cilantro) and mint. They all contain a huge amount of vitamins (A, D, C and K), not to mention an abundance of iron and folate. I feel like I have literally ‘juiced myself back to better health’. I made different combos of both cold juices and warm soups, and will post my recipes on here soon as I experimented with some delsih concoctions! As you drink them you feel energized almost instantly, yes it can feel like you are drinking a meadow, but throw in an apple and some lemon and you won’t even notice all those greens. Find my ‘Souperfood Soup recipe here.
9. Vamp up your Vitamins
I take vitamins every day, as I’m of the belief that they can help to improve your overall heath. Since moving to Canada my vitamin D levels were rather low, so after some blood work done with my doctor, I was advised to up my intake. I ramp it up even more when I am sick too. Below is what I have been taking and again, I can vouch that these are really helping me to feel better.
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
- Magnesium and Calcium combo tablet – if you take vitamin D, magnesium it is also essential to take as it helps the vitamin D get absorbed into the body
Hope these hints have helped you – What are your go-to home health remedies to that you use to ward off or fight those pesky colds and flu??
Mrs Thomas Talks 