Living with PTSD symptoms could be compared as living in constant stress. The body can becomes resistant to the cortisol hormone (which regulates some of the body processes including the immune response and works as a natural inhibitor of inflammation) and inflammation can increase. Add to that a stressful job or life situation and a childhood from the “antibiotics-is-the-solution” attitude and you end up like me with a weak immune system. I used to catch a cold 3 to 4 times in the cold season and a couple of time in the warm season (yes, when it’s 30 degrees outside and you have a fever)
A few years back, in 2014, I decided enough was enough and I cut off all medication and used only natural alternatives to get over a really bad winter common cold. I have to admit, it was rough and took a good long week to clear. Since then, I only took medication a couple of times when I got bacterial infections that required antibiotics to clear out.
So what is this natural home remedy?
A nice hot spicy Chai drink combined with one or all of the below suggestions. **The Spicy Chai recipe is below if you prefer to scroll down to it directly**
-Get some rest: when you start feeling under the weather, listen to your body and have a lie in or a nap. Do not give in to the guilty feelings of trying to tick all the items on your to-do-list. I like to stay warm and I use a fluffy hot water bottle like this cute moose one
-Gargle warm salty water. This grandmother home remedy is the most natural and efficient way to soothe my sore and itchy throat. I like to use this inexpensive sea salt
Spicy Chai drink recipe:
- 1 inch of freshly cut ginger,
- 1 tea spoon of cayenne pepper,
- 1 clove,
- 1 cinnamon stick,
- a couple of cardamom pods
- 1 tablespoon of thyme,
- 1 tablespoon of elderberry dried
- 1 tablespoon of Echinacea, I like A. Vogel brand
Add all the ingredients to boiling water, let it simmer for 10 minutes. Add your choice of milk to make it a chai latte, some honey and sip until empty.
Just the smell should make you feel better
One thought on “My home remedy for common cold”