Combating Sickness as the Seasons Change

 

As the seasons change and the temperatures begin to drop, I find that I will inevitably get sick. I find this to be especially true as I head back to work. Coming into contact with all of my new students and their germs just do a number on my immune system. In order to shorten my down, I have developed a gargle to combat a sore throat, as well as a daily wellness shot that I take early in the morning or add to my water jug for the day. 

That being said, I am not a doctor, and this is not medical advice. I'm just someone who doesn't want to run to the doctor to take a course of antibiotics that will wipe out all my beneficial microbes along with the bad. The way I see it, the sore throat, the sniffles, or whatever is just the branch of an underlying root cause. I'm just trying to get my internal environment back on track so that it can take care of things. My job is to get out the way and let it do its job.

Sore throat gargle

1 take a shake of cayenne pepper

1 clove of garlic sliced in half

1 lemon wedge

12 ounces of water, boiled

Into a clean pint sized mason jar, pour the boiled water over the other ingredients. Cover with the lid and allow to cool. The mixture gets stronger the longer that it sits. I will gargle a sip of the mixture throughout the day until it is gone. Then I remake the mixture as needed. 

I have used this and felt relief enough to be able to get some sleep. That being said, everybody's tolerance is unique and the mixture can get pretty spicy from the cayenne and garlic.

Cayenne increases circulation which is needed for healing. It also blocks pain receptors, giving it an analgesic effect. Garlic is a powerful antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral action. Lemon is high in Vitamin C. The other two ingredients have a warm and drying energy to them, but the lemon is cooling so it adds a nice balance to the mixture. 

What are your natural remedies for fighting colds and sore throats?