QUICK plan for fast tracking the FLU this winter

With everything we have all gone through in the last while. I think it's important to have a plan for  healing when autumn approaches and 'winter' is looming!  A plan for fast trackng the flu is a good idea.
First?

Go to bed.^^
When you know you are coming down with a bug you feel terrible and may have a sore throat, runny nose, or feel like you've had a run in with the proverbial 'Mack Truck'. ALL  you can think about is going back to bed!

^^ By the way ~ I realize that many readers with small children may think…. Oh sure.. Go back to bed? Not likely with the needs of my wee ones taking priority as always. So, let's re-phrase. Rest as much as possible. Ask for help, if that's a choice. Don't be a super hero. CANCEL all that can be wiped from your schedule. If you rest and take these remedies immediately, you will stop the spread of your impending virus ~ which can ONLY be a good thing, right?

NOBODY will be happy to have you 'share' your symptoms around at work. Stay home if at all possible.
Every day you spend 'not resting' adds time onto this process. The body needs rest. Allow yourself to RELAX.
Make a cup of herb tea. Sage tea works magic with a sore throat. Here's how to make Sage Tea.

 

 

If you can begin using herbal remedies immediately after symptoms begin, you can often stop a doozy from taking hold!
What are your symptoms?
Sore throat is always my first sign of trouble brewing. What's yours?
A nice warm cup of tea can work wonders. Chamomile. Sounds too simple? Magic in that cup!
Here's a post I wrote with some ideas for "winter teas" Check it out here.

Feeling chilled?
Try a nice warm bath and then snuggle under the covers. Keep warm.
If you can manage the energy ~ Make a strong ginger tea and sip it. Make a big pot of ginger tea and strain into the bath water. Ginger tea is easy to make. Check it out here.

 

Achy? That's when I reach for my bottle of Elderberry Flu Remedy a.k.a. Elderberry syrup! It's easy to make.
I have a recipe here. It's also readily available at your local health food store. If you don't have any. Make some. Try Boneset herb-- amazing for helping the aches of common 'influenza'.
If you can't make any, do yourself a favour and purchase it today! I have shared these remedies with so many clients and friends and it's all about having ON HAND if possible!

It definitely helps to stimulate your circulation. Fill a basin with hot water and add ½ to 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and a dash or two of cayenne pepper. Keep feet immersed for about 10 minutes, if you can. Wrap yourself in a comforter or blanket to keep warm.
I've written about foot bathing here. and included ideas for different botanicals. In this case, however,this one simple idea above will suffice. We want to increase circulation and get back to being wrapped up in a warm bed.
Once in bed you can have a cup of hot lemonade — not the kind you buy in the supermarket, but the old-fashioned kind your mother and grandmother made. Squeeze half a lemon into a cup and add boiling water and a little honey. Then grate in some ginger. Lemon has anti-viral as well as anti-bacterial properties. Ginger is a peripheral circulatory stimulant so you should begin to feel warm at last. It’s also antiseptic for the respiratory tract.

I'm not organized about much, this life, I confess but one area I appear to excel? I always have portions of my 'healing soup' in the freezer and ready to go! I can't count the number of times I've needed to use this personally or for family members and friends ~ when the need for this warming, virus-busting soup is evident! Recipe is here.

I don't know if you're familiar with the  Chinese medicine called "Tiger Balm" which contains menthol, camphor, clove oil, cassia oil, peppermint oil, and cajuput oil. It's sold as a pain-relieving ointment and I have bought it for years in our Chinatown in Toronto. It has a powerful aroma and has helped many to clear blocked sinuses. Here's an online source from Amazon affiliate partner: Tiger Balm Ultra Strength Pain Relieving Ointment Non-Staining 18 gm

Another good choice is "Olbas Oil" from Europe. (Germany I think) Olbas Oil -- 0.32 fl oz
There are a number of combinations that contain combinations of camphor and cloves, cinnamon, peppermint etc.

They are all soothing when we  rub on the throat and bronchial areas. Be careful with any of these around your eyes. These kinds of remedies tend to be  anodynes (pain killers) and can be helpful in cases of sinusitis due to  antiseptic qualities. Essential oil of eucalyptus and thyme can be used the same way. Children and adults too, can benefit from a  vaporizer in their room with gentle diffusing essential oil blends**. There's an old remedy called  Friar’s balsam which is a good choice here.

**eucalyptus, white pine, peppermint, oregano, sage to name a few.

All of these ideas are simple at home remedies. They can be done in any order that makes sense to you!
Sometimes the symptoms will dictate what to do when. If you are a stay-at-home mom and stricken with the flu, this scenario can be more complicated. Suggestions may include having a healing soup, frozen in portions and ready to give to everyone for immune boosting help to avoid sharing the virus around the family. I realize that is often the way it goes!

Here's to a healthy winter. What do you do when the flu hits YOU??

Here's to all of us.. in great health this winter. 

Please check out my eBook: COLD + FLU Season ~ Are YOU ready?
PACKED with lots of ideas from the last 20 years of my own experience in herbalism.
Information is here.