Oranges and Avocados

My radio silence last week was the result of a vigilant battle against cold symptoms. I refuse to be sick. I fight germs to the very end, and, this time, I was victorious. At the first sign of a swollen gland and stuffy nose, my focus is to stay well. I have decided to share some of the simple ways I treat a cold. Most are common sense remedies that everyone already knows. If that is true, then why is everyone around me getting sick, missing work and feeling miserable? One cup of tea or soup is not a cure. The key is to choose multiple remedies and follow through with the regimen for several days. Remember that symptoms are signs that the body is fighting back against illness.

While I am grateful for the advances of modern science, and have nothing against downing a shot of Nyquil when the germs have taken over, my goal is always to beat the germs before they can make me feel miserable and sleep-deprived. Chemically derived modern medicines that mask symptoms without addressing their root cause are a last resort. Some schools of alternative medicine believe that suppressing symptoms pushes them into hiding in other parts of the body where they will resurface later in less treatable forms.

Taking care of one’s health does not mean a life without illness, but illness less often, milder symptoms, and faster recovery. The best way to beat a cold is to never let it catch you. Eat well, exercise, laugh, love, sleep, repeat. I am interested in natural ways to prevent common illnesses. I believe in the efficacy of treatments that have been practiced for thousands of years. My mother-in-law speaks of herbal remedies she experienced as a child in El Salvador. I take to heart remedies my grandmother used before there was a pill to treat every complaint.

This week, I was lucky. I suffered only general achiness, a mild sore throat and an hour of nasal congestion. I will share some stronger remedies, like homemade cough syrup and a tonic to reduce fever, in another post. Please share your family secrets to cure the cold. Here are mine:

KEEP WARM

When the body has to work harder to stay warm, it quickly feels depleted. It is tempting to wear flipflops and t-shirts year round. Don’t be fooled. Wear thick socks, a scarf and hat, and keep the kidneys toasty under long sweaters and jackets. Don’t go barefoot in the house. Keep an extra blanket on the couch.

USE A NETI POT

I am amazed that the neti pot is still something of a secret in this country. Oprah and Dr. Oz have done wonders for getting people to try the nasal wash, but many are still wary or unaware. I have heard people suggest that it is better to take drugs than put water in one’s nose. Pouring warm salt water through the nasal cavity is not gross. Green globs of mucous where bacteria multiply are gross. Steroid nasal sprays are gross. Nasal irrigation clears the nose and sinuses of mucous, bacteria, pollen and dust. There is no need to suffer sinus congestion ever again.

The neti pot is easier to use than most people think.

GARGLE WITH SALT WATER

Grandma was right. This was her first line of defense against sore throat, and I always refused. Warm salt water cleans the throat, preventing bacteria from reproducing. It is simple and effective.

EAT BONE SOUP

I save chicken bones, backs and necks in the freezer to make stock. Brown bones in the oven with an onion. Place in a stockpot with carrot, celery, herbs and root vegetables. Cover with water and simmer for several hours. The bones transfer a wealth of nutrients to the soup. When I am very ill, I sip the plain broth, allowing my digestive system to rest. This week, I was feeling well enough for a hearty meal, so I added handfuls of chopped onion, carrot, zucchini, yellow bell pepper, thyme, oregano, garlic, garbanzo beans and macaroni, doused with Sriracha hot sauce. This was lunch and dinner for two days.

Stick to yummy soup for a couple days.

REST

Make time. Lie down. Close your eyes. Rest. Everything else can wait. Let someone else do the dishes. When energy levels improve, don’t go for a run or out to the bar, keep resting.

AVOID DAIRY

Dairy products are the most mucous-forming foods. What else causes mucous to build up in the respiratory and digestive systems? Alcohol, refined flours and meat are at the top of the list.

DAILY DOSES OF ECHINACEA TEA WITH LEMON AND HONEY

Lemon and honey are antibacterial and sooth a sore throat. Echinacea contains copper, iron, iodine, potassium, and vitamins A, C, and E, which act together to stimulate the immune system. Hot liquids wash bacteria from the throat. Fresh ginger and lemongrass tea is also fantastic.

Echinacea tea and Emergen-C to the rescue.

EMERGEN-C

I don’t care if studies about the benefits of vitamin C are inconclusive. Emergen-C contains a high dose of vitamins, antioxidants, and electrolytes delivered in an easily absorbed liquid form. I take two a day when sick.

DR. SHULZE’S SUPER TONIC

Some people eat raw garlic to ward off illness. Garlic and capsaicin from hot peppers are powerful natural antibiotics. I prefer a dropper-full of Dr. Shulze’s Super Tonic in a glass of juice. The blend of habanero, garlic, onion, ginger and horseradish root tastes terrible, but when I am sick I crave it.