Getting sick in any way is never pretty. The body, normally such an inspiration of strength and durability, suddenly becomes a weak shell housing a never ending supply of snot, sweat and streaming eyes. If you could only take your nose off and wash it under a tap! And all of these gorgeous symptoms drain your body of essential fluids, leaving you parched with dry lips and crepe paper for skin. And I'm just talking about your average winter cold or 'flu, at most a viral infection.
After spending the last few days in bed with the above mentioned revolting symptoms and feeling as weak as a kitten, there were a few things that I found to be absolute lifesavers that I wanted to share with you.
Keep moisturised
Hot showers and especially soap are very drying on your skin. Keep your showers or baths to once a day only, and not too hot. If you are not already using natural soap free soaps, do when you are sick as soaps are designed to cut through grease. The oily layer on your skin will actually help protect it and keep moisture in, so if you are lathering up you are doing more harm than good. With this in mind, also avoid scrubs and exfoliants while sick. You need gentle care when under the weather - you can scrub away to your hearts content once you are back on your feet! When you finish showering, before you towel off shake off the excess water and apply a moisturiser directly onto your damp skin as this will seal in the water.
Likewise with your face. While your skin is still damp, apply our Rejuvenating Facial Oil to your face, neck and décolletage. This week I have been using twice as much of my facial oil than normal as my skin is just soaking it up. I have also been using it on my arms as well, before applying moisturiser.
Have a good natural lip balm on hand for your lips. Keep them covered as it will stop you from licking your lips which actually ends up drying your lips out even more.
Keep a clear head
I was introduced to the neti pot years ago. Being celiac, one thing that gluten does to me is completely clogs up my sinuses. The neti pot is a gentle way of clearing out the sinuses of dust, pollen and thick built up mucous. Sorry, not a pretty subject but then we are talking colds and flus here! By using a lukewarm saline solution, the water passes through the nasal membranes easier than plain water. My favourite salt to use is Macrobiotic Sea Salt by Lotus. The reason I choose this salt is it's nice and fine, which means it dissolves easily. It's unrefined and hand harvested. Because it is sun dried it retains all the important minerals of the ocean.
As with everything, there is also a need to be careful when using a neti pot. Make sure the pot is clean. Using distilled water that has been boiled and cooled is recommended, especially if the tap water is not too clean in your area. Tap water can be contaminated with bacteria, the last thing you want to do is pour that into your nose!
This ceramic pot clears the nose and sinuses. Which of course means less nose blowing!
When you do need to blow your nose, as obvious as it sounds, use the tissue as gently as possible. Being rough won't reduce the amount coming out of your nose, it will only make your nose a brighter shade of red.
Another favourite remedy of mine is colloidal silver. It is an anti fungal, anti bacterial, anti viral and anti inflammatory remedy. It's fantastic for the sinuses - a few drops of silver can be added to your neti pot or, for a less expensive option, colloidal silver is readily available in a nasal spray. Breathing colloidal silver directly into the lungs has also had great impact on those with bronchitis and pneumonia. Definitely worth checking out!
Keep your fluids up
The last thing you feel like doing when you are unwell is eating or drinking. But this is when you need your strength the most. Keep drinking water as often as you can. Peppermint tea is also excellent as it rejuvenates the lungs, settles the tummy, cools the body and increases alertness. If you just can't manage, place a drop or two of peppermint essential oil onto the soles of your feet.
Keep your house hydrated too
This is the last thing you would think of, but makes such a difference! If you have the ducted heating on, the air becomes very dry which in turn dries out your skin and sinuses even more. A dehumidifier is great if you have one, otherwise rug up with a jumper or extra blanket rather than drying yourself out with unnatural heating.
Keep your essential oils handy
- Lemon oil is an antioxidant and soothes an irritated throat. Place a couple of drops into your water to drink
- Lavender oil supports a restful sleep, sinusitis, respiratory problems
- Frankincense oil is a wonderful pulmonary antiseptic so perfect for coughs, colds and helps deepen your breathing
- Jasmine is great for coughs and muscular aches and pains
- Eucalyptus oil is great in a steam bath, breathing deeply in to clear the lungs
A lovely way to get a hit of essential oils is with our Bath and Foot Salts. If you are too restless for a full bath, try adding them to a bucket and sitting quietly with your feet emerged in the warm water, getting the benefits of both the essential oils and magnesium from the Epsom salts.
And most importantly, although it won't help alleviate Bozo the Clown features, get plenty of rest!
Do you have any other favourite remedies?
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