Top 10: Banishing a Winter Cold

​Since I've already been struck with a fall/winter cold this year, I though I would share some of my tips to help kick that cold!

​1. DRINK ALL THE TEA!
Okay, so that's not super unheard of. Green tea is great and packs a lot of anti-oxidants which are great for you, but if you are sick you need something with a little more punch. Look for herbal teas with Echinaccia which is said to help boost your immune system. Not into that flavor? Add some lemon and honey. Throw some ginger in mix for a spicy kick

2. Honey and Cinnamon 
Of course, local seasonal honey is best, but if not grab that organic brand at the supermarket. Mixing about 1 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon Cinnamon will not only sooth your sore throat, cinnamon is a natural anti-bacterial fighter to add to your arsenal. Rumor is, if you do this 2-3 times a day you can shorten the length of that lingering cough.
​
3. Citrus "Tea"
Turn on that kettle and mix a bit of lemon juice, lime juice, and orange juice into your hot water. Kick up that vitamin C factor, quick! Add some honey to soothe a scratchy throat.

4. Elderberry Syrup
A blast from the past! An ingredient found in many of your over the counter cough medicine, in a slightly more natural form. I get mine from Woodland Essence, but you can purchase online as well. 

5. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
As you know I've recently become an essential oil addict (No Shame!). This saved me when I had an upper respiratory infection. Dilute a few drops with coconut oil (fractionated is best) and rub on your chest. I also like to rub a few drops on to my sinus cavities around my nose.

6. Diffuse Essential Oils
Get that diffuser going! I've got a 400 ML diffuser from Amazon, that I love. It turns off when it's out of water and I can set it, then forget it. I love mixing eucalyptus and peppermint to open my airways while I'm sick. Bonus: Getting some water in the air of our dry wintery homes.

7. Chapstik on your nose
Nothing is worse than getting over your cold and your poor nose is all red and peeling (ew!). I use a cheap chapstik to rub on my nose and keep it nice and hydrated after all those tissues.

​8. Detox Bath
I love essential oils and bath salts on any regular occasion, but I amp up my bath time with a bit more if I'm feeling under the weather. I toss in about 1/2 cup of epsom bath salts, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and a few drops of eucalyptus essential oils. I recommend a nice cup of tea on the side to keep you nice and hydrated.

9. Peppermint Essential Oil
Did I mention I'm an oil addict? When you're coughing for days, I like to rub a few drops of peppermint oil on the outside of my neck to soothe my sore throat.

10. TAKE TIME TO REST
This should be a no-brainer, but in our fast paced society we push ourselves to get back to work, do chores and take care of everyone else. Listen to your body! You got sick because your body is trying to tell you to slow down and now you are forced to. This is a difficult concept when we try to check all those to do list items off and end up feeling run down in the long run. 

Take the day off work. Watch some bad day time t.v. (that you can nap on and off through). Don't share those sick day germs. Gift yourself the time to recuperate and get back to feeling 100%.

Hoping your feeling well, if not then maybe some of these ideas help you out! I'm always on the look-out for any non-traditional cold remedies; What are some of your traditions?

Love & Health,
​Jenn Rose