Green Winter Remedies

Winter is here! With it comes the cold and flu season and uncomfortable dry skin.  We can’t guarantee that you won’t be hit with a cold or the flu, but we do think  you can increase your odds of staying well with these natural strategies.

Drink Plenty of Fluids~

Water flushes your system, washing out the poisons as it rehydrates you. A typical, healthy adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day

Drink your lemons.~

Lemon is the ideal food for restoring acid-alkali balance. Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in water, or adding it to tea, salad dressings (in place of vinegar), baking or cooking, helps maintain the body’s internal “climate” at a pH which supports healthy bacteria instead of the viruses and harmful bacteria which thrive in more acidic environments. Apple cider vinegar is another great way to improve your body’s alkalinity.

Get gargling~

Japanese researchers found that a daily gargling with water reduces your cold risk. People who gargled with water were 36 percent less likely to be struck down when compared with non-garglers. The study suggests that simple water gargling is effective to prevent upper respiratory tract infections.

Microwave your toothbrush~

Run your toothbrush through the microwave on high for ten seconds to kill germs that can cause colds and other illnesses. You think it gets your teeth clean — and it does. But once you’re done brushing, your toothbrush is a breeding ground for germs. Sterilize it in the microwave before you use it, or store it in hydrogen peroxide (rinse well before using), or simply replace it every month when you change the page on your calendar and after you’ve had a cold.

Thyme for a Cough~

Try this as a natural way to make that cough feel better,
Add three tablespoons of dried thyme to one pint of boiling water. Let cool, then add one cup of honey. Take one teaspoon every hour as needed. You can store the mix in the fridge for up to three months.

Vitamin C to Prevent Colds~

Cold and flu season in the U.S. stretches from November to March. And most people come down with a cold – two or three of them per season.
Boost your immune system with natural food sources of vitamin C. Some examples are:  Sweet Red Pepper, Kiwi, Sweet Green Pepper, Oranges, Grapefruit Juice, Vegetable Juice Cocktail, Strawberries and Brussel Sprouts

Tea for Sore Throats~

For a sore throat, the tea remedy is as old as time, it seems. Try jujube tea for an extra vitamin C boost.

Carrots for Headaches~

Phytonutrients in fresh produce, like the beta-carotene in carrots, can reduce inflammation in the blood vessels of the brain. Eating two cups a day can help some people reduce headache incidence by 70 percent!

Lavender for Anxiety~

Lavender can help. Apply lavender oil or a sachet to your pulse points — the arteries at your wrists, neck and feet are a good start — for a subtle soothing experience.

Walnuts for Dry Skin~

Dry, cracked skin is a part of the season for many — but it doesn’t have to be so bad.

Fortify your skin by eating one ounce of walnuts daily. Within two weeks, the natural omega-3 oils will not only keep your energy levels up, but improve the elasticity and natural moisture in your skin.

 

Honey Yogurt Lotion for Dry Skin~

If dry skin has already set in, set about soothing and restoring cracked, itchy spots with this natural salve.
2 tablespoons honey?1/2 cup plain regular yogurt ?1 teaspoon grapefruit zest?1 cup iced black tea

Apply mixture of first three ingredients to skin and leave for 15 minutes. Splash off with the tea.

Nurture yourself~

Make sure you take time to yourself, spend some time with friends, and indulge yourself in a massage, a hot bath, or an energy work session when you want one. Our bodies respond to our emotions – if you’re feeling harassed and anxious, it can manifest in a sore throat or a cold.

Create a space within yourself and your living environment for harmony, self-love and joy (giving thanks, prayer and blessing the abundance in your life and of the world around you helps). Pay attention to warning signs of sore throat or exhaustion so you can keep them from getting worse. Take a “mental health day” every few months to make sure your emotional needs are met. When you’re happy, you’re far less likely to get sick.

Here’s hoping that we made your winter season a little more healthy!