The past few days I’ve felt under the weather with some congestion, runny nose and sore throat (typical cold-like symptoms). I rarely get sick, but just like anybody else, sometimes it happens. I used these natural solutions for a cold and they made me feel a lot better and relieved many of my symptoms.
My first line of defense is things from my kitchen listed below . You could say my kitchen cabinets are really like my medicine cabinets. Food is Medicine, and I operate under this philosophy whether I’m well or sick. Below are my essential items to a natural solution for a cold. All of these are found in the kitchen!
- Lemons: I add fresh lemon juice into cold water which helps to alkaline the body. Alkaline water results in reduced inflammation and many other benefits. This changes the acidity and PH of the body making it less ideal for bacteria and viruses to thrive. If you are not big on drinking plain water, adding fresh lemon juice can make it easier to drink more water. Increased fluids is essential when you’re sick.
- Honey: Honey is a natural sweetener and great in tea to help soothe a sore throat. Skip the cough drops and try a teaspoon of honey by itself or in your favorite tea. Honey also has antimicrobial properties (kills or stops the growth of microorganisms) much like medicines do.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple Cider Vinegar has SO MANY benefits! It has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties making it ideal for fighting sickness/infection. I add a teaspoon to water like “lemonade”. Another option is mixing it in orange juice to disguise the taste. It doesn’t taste the best and is rather strong but so is a shot of alcohol. Take this shot of wellness instead.
- Kombucha: This fizzy drink is made from black or green tea and served cold. It is lightly sweetened with fruit and makes a great alternative to juice. This fermented probiotic drink provides live strains of good bacteria that support good gut health. A large part of our Immune System is housed in the gut, which is why probiotics are so important for our health. *If you are sick and taking Anti-biotics this medication will also remove the good bacteria from your gut. This makes it even more important for a Probiotic drink like Kombucha.
- Coconut Water: Coconut water is filled with electrolytes such as Potassium, Magnesium and Sodium. When your sick you lose fluids and your electrolytes can be off. Skip the Gatorade (filled with sugar and artificial flavors) and try nature’s sports drink instead.
- Sea Salt: Salt Water is very beneficial for a sore throat when you gargle the solution. If you have a sore throat try mixing 1/4 C of warm water with a teaspoon or more of sea salt. This isotonic solution helps to pull the excess fluid from the throat which can relieve throat soreness. Think back to science class and Osmosis. Molecules move through a semi-permeable membrane from higher concentration to lower. That’s how this salt water solution works when you gargle it.
- Chicken Stock or Broth: Another great way to get fluids is through soup. Use chicken Stock or Broth as the base for your soup. This is bland, but also a great way to get some nutrients while sick. I cooked up a pot of chicken breasts, broth, veggies and rice and it was the perfect meal for having a cold.
- Vitamin C Rich Foods: Citrus Fruits, Peppers, Spinach, Pineapple, Brussels Spouts and Broccoli. These are some of the top fruits and vegetables that are packed with Vitamin C. For the ultimate Immune Boosting Smoothie try adding several ingredients listed above. Blend frozen fruit, spinach, coconut water, lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and a pinch of sea salt in a blender and sweeten with honey if needed.
I hope these natural Solutions for a Cold help you much they like they help me. It’s amazing what simple items in the kitchen cabinet can do. Try these Natural Solutions next time you’re feeling under the weather. Well wishes!
In Health, Stephanie