Unfortunately it is the time of year where immunity drops and our risk of getting the common cold or flu goes up. Here are 5 natural ways to support illness recovery
1. Honey!
Local organic honey has proven to be just as effective as over-the-counter flu remedies.
This is because honey contains antioxidants and antimicrobial properties which helps the immune system to fight and clear infections. Honey can also be soothing for sore throats.
Have a teaspoon of honey with a slice of fresh lemon and ginger in boiling water to get the benefits! Obviously honey is sugary, so make sure you account for this in your insulin dose.
2. Clearing sinuses
Nothing is more annoying than having a blocked nose and feeling like you can’t breathe properly.
Steam is really important in clearing sinuses. I recommend drinking plenty of warm drinks and deep breathing while in the shower to inhale more steam.
You can also fill a large bowl with boiling water, put a towel over your head and lean over the bowl. This can feel quite intense but it definitely works for me!
If none of this works, you can buy salt water sprays which will certainly do the job!
3. Rest
Getting adequate rest is vital for recovering from an illness. When we are ill our immune system needs to use more energy to fight off the bug.
Therefore you will need to sleep and chill out more. If you have the option to work from home this will help recovery, and it will prevent the bug from spreading to other people.
Snuggle up, keep warm and try to take regular naps if you can!
4. Herbs
I highly recommend drinking herbal teas when ill. This will help to boost hydration, and some herbs have useful properties for illness recovery.
Think of:
Ginger – in the form of tea and/or adding fresh ginger to cooking.
Berberine – in the form of tea or syrup.
Echinacea – in the form of tea.
Oregano – Add fresh or dried oregano to cooking (1-2 tsp).
Turmeric – Add fresh or dried turmeric to cooking (1-2 tsp).
All of these herbs have anti-inflammatory properties, supporting the immune system.
5. Movement
While rest is vital, taking part in gentle movement is also important. If we are sedentary for hours or days it can increase the risk of getting blood clots.
Try and make yourself tea/food regularly, this will make you walk around and promote blood flow.
Thank you for reading 5 natural ways to support illness recovery. Be sure to subscribe and follow me on Instagram!
If you liked this post, be sure to check out 5 Nutrients To Boost Immunity and 5 ways to reduce your risk of getting Type 2 diabetes
