Home Remedy For Cold & Flu Season

A few days ago I decided to begin each day and end each day silently reciting what I am thankful for. One of my friends said when he was struggling through a health crisis, “you have nothing if you don’t have your health.” I have been experiencing some health issues for about a month now. What began as a slight sore throat never developed into a serious matter perhaps due to the gotu kola I would take before going to bed at the onset of the slightest throat discomfort. But since, I have developed more uncharacteristic symptoms of severe headaches, neck pain and stiffness, dry congestion, chest pain and pressure, body aches, diarrhea, a skin rash, a slight cough and extreme fatigue. I am feeling quite better, not 100%, but most of my issues have subsided, the most frightening one being the chest congestion. I did consult with a friend who is a doctor who said I may have had Covid-19 but of course she could not be sure remotely nor without me being tested. I did attempt to be tested but was told my symptoms, which were mild at that point, were not severe enough however that has not prevented several people from dying. “Call your doctor” is what I was told by the medical professional at a local clinic and I recommend everyone do the same if you’re feeling poorly. This is my home remedy for the cold and flu season, it is actually a series of interventions that I took to feel better in a time of need.

1. Drink lots of liquid. I mean copious amounts. There is a recording going around saying to drink every 20 minutes which seems pretty frequent but keeping that time frame in the back of my mind helped me to sip probably every 30 minutes or so. Often we don’t realize when we are dehydrated and I was. They mantra is if you are thirsty it is too late – you’re dehydrated. I still feel dehydrated and I have been drinking over a gallon of liquids per day, primarily with added minerals, and tisanes.
2. Vitamin C. I read that Chinese medical workers were successfully using intravenous Vitamin C on Covid-19 patients. Dr. Andrew Weil’s Center for Integrative Medicine states that taking Vitamin C shortens the frequency, duration and severity of the common cold and the incidence of pneumonia. (Then I watched a video where Dr. Fauci said it would not help with the virus – he is under stressful constraints). Nevertheless, I began drinking organic Hibiscus Tea with a bit of agave syrup more in earnest. An 8-ounce cup of Hibiscus Tea has 72% of our recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C. I drank it hot and cold and I began to feel better. I also have always taken a multivitamin with 100% of the recommended daily allowance of C but the liquid form seemed to provide an extra boon to my improvement. Citrus fruits and tomatoes contain a good amount of C but I have been told to avoid these foods by my gastroenterologist due to the acid levels. Kiwi fruit actually has more Vitamin C than an orange so that may be an option for some.
3. Boswellia Serrata. Boswellia has been shown to help prevent bronchial muscles from contracting.
4. Tulsi Tea. Tulsi or Holy Basil helps with lung disorders, respiratory disorders, and inflammation. I have been drinking a least two cups of hot organic Tulsi Tea per day.
5. Sweet Potatoes. Not only do the tubers contain Vitamin C, they help boost our immune systems, and I would immediately feel less chest pressure after eating a half cup of a baked one, skin on.
6. Colloidal Silver Nasal Spray. Using this antimicrobial spray really helped alleviate my congestion and headaches. I did not use as much as the label suggested; I sprayed each nostril 3 times, 3 times a day when experiencing nasal congestion, pressure and pain. Now, thankfully, I am only using 2 sprays into each nostril once a day.
7. Floss and brush your teeth daily. Even if you are quarantined alone, this helps remove the germs that may have accumulated inside. I gargled and rinsed after brushing with a half water, half hydrogen peroxide solution. I also like Neem mouthwash.
8. Change your bed sheets at least once a week. In between changing I spray the sheet with a tea tree oil or lavender spray which is antimicrobial. The virus does not last on fabric according to Dr. Fauci but the lavender helps us relax and the tea tree oil helps keep the nasal passages open.
9. Fumigate your home with Air Scense which neutralizes odors. Freshen the carpets or rugs with a baking soda, tea tee or lavender essential oil combination. Sprinkle on rugs, leave for 20 minutes to 24 hours, and then vacuum.