Hello Lovelies!
It’s that dreadful moment when you wake up sneezing and your nose is running like crazy. You realize that once again Mr. Virus has snuck up on you! Happened to me a few weekends ago when I woke up early to take my friend Laura to the airport. I immediately pulled out my essential oils and applied them! During flu season, I use Immunity essential oil on a daily basis. Why you ask? Well I like to make sure my immune system has all of the tools it needs to fight off big, bad germs. Essential oils are great for keeping you and your family cold/germ free in the winter. I also use them to disinfect and clean my house!
There is nothing worse than waking up with a fever or stuffy nose when you have a pile of things to get done (colds are so inconvenient!). I want my daily life to be filled with adventure and fun, not sneezing and laying on the coach feeling miserable. So before you start stockpiling meds with names like “Phenylpropanolamine,” give good ‘ole mother nature a go with Immunity. (Because I don’t think ingesting things we can barely pronounce is the best plan….) With a soothing aroma, Immunity is packed with essential oils that can boost your immune system while clearing congestion, coughs and fevers. And the best thing? You can easily use essential oils on your kids!
What is Immunity? It’s a stimulating blend of Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Lemon, Rosemary, Sweet Orange and Tea Tree. Lemon is rich with antioxidants and Rosemary has a wealth of antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Eucalyptus works as a decongestant as it helps ease colds and viruses. Diffusing Immunity at the first sign of cold or flu symptoms can cut sickness off before it even starts. Another fun fact! For a cool down on a hot summer day and an immune system boost, add 6-8 drops of Immunity into a cool bath. Immunity cools the body in the summer and protects in the winter :)
So I put some immunity on, spread eucalyptus lotion on my chest, and whipped up a batch of Fire Cider. Ummm Lemon? What the heck are you talking about? Fire Cider?
Image credit: Emily Han
If I start feeling a cold creeping up, I immediately take 1 to 2 tablespoons and some honey. If I feel like the virus already got into my system, I’ll repeat that every 4 hours until symptoms subside. GG always took it daily as a preventative usually before bed time.
Fire Cider
1/2 cup peeled and diced horseradish (I’m not a fan so I leave this out..)
1/2 cup peeled and diced garlic
1/2 cup peeled and diced onion
1/4 cup peeled and diced ginger
1/4 cup peeled and diced turmeric
1 Habanero chile, split in half or 1/8 cup Red Pepper Flakes
1 orange, quartered and thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 lemon, quartered and thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped rosemary
2 tablespoons chopped thyme
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 to 3 cups raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar (at least 5% acidity)
1/4 cup raw local honey, or more to taste
Place all of the vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices in a clean 1-quart jar. Fill the jar with vinegar, covering all the ingredients and making sure there are no air bubbles. Cap the jar. If using a metal lid, place a piece of parchment or wax paper between the jar and the lid to prevent corrosion from the vinegar. Shake well.
Let the jar sit for 3 to 6 weeks, shaking daily (or as often as you remember).
Strain the vinegar into a clean jar. Add honey to taste. Refrigerate and use within a year.
****Please listen to your own body and your doctor as we are each uniquely created! Want to learn more about some of these ingredients? Check out the University of Maryland Medical Center’s guides to garlic, ginger, and cayenne/capsaicin.****
What are some other ways you ward of the seemingly inevitable common winter cold? My friends over at Amino had some great suggestions I thought I’d share with you!
Have you ever tried their locate a doctor service? It’s great! I’ve been in the process of looking for a new family doctor for a few months. Mine completed his residency and has moved on…much to my utter dismay! He was fabulous.
So I thought I’d use their locate a doctor service to see what came up. It was extremely easy to use! You answer a few questions and it pulls up doctors in your area!
I was surprised to find so many doctors close to me!
Try it out! Find a Doctor: https://amino.com/find-a-doctor/
It’s been a little over a week since my nasty virus hit..and while I must admit I’ve been a little tired, the essential oils have knocked him right out! BOOM BOOM!
What are your favorite tips or tricks for beating the common cold?
XoXo!
One Cold Free Lemon
