Cold Care Protocol

After almost two years of not getting a cold, last week I had one. But it was mild and short and I fully believe all my "woo woo" oils and herbs and "face rubbing" (as my guy says) made the difference.

After sharing pieces of what I do to keep immunity high, I thought I'd just give you the whole low-down. So here it is.

My normal daily routine has a lot of immune-boosting built into it, for example, my daily facial massage, putting oil in my nostrils and the herbs that I take in the form of teas and tinctures.

But when it comes to cold care, you gotta go with big hitters.

If you feel a cold coming on

The tickle in your throat, the little bit of excess mucus, the pressure in the ears. Whatever your early warning sign is, heed it.

1. Use Ravensara essential oil 4 times a day around and in your ears, on the lymph nodes under the jaw, dab at the base of the skull, and a dab on the sacrum/tail. Use about 4 drops in total each application. This is medicine -- it doesn't take much. It's like a safe antibiotic. It's antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial. You will not find it in a grocery store. Here are two companies I've purchased from online.

2. Start doing a lymphatic massage several times a day. The lymph system is part of the immune system and it's essential to keep things moving, help those little cleaning factories do their job.

3. Get Wellness Formula. (See pic below.) There are lots of immunity boost supplements out there, I just happen to have great results with this one. Get the capsules instead of the tablets -- they are a little easier on the stomach. Take with food -- 3 capsules 4 times a day.

4. Might as well get some mushrooms, too. (See pic below.) I've used the Host Defense brand, Comprehensive Immunity Support capsules, spray and tincture, all with great result. I've also purchased medicinal mushroom tinctures through Etsy (less expensively).

5. Old fashioned fluids (warm water constantly throughout the day) and rest. If you're fighting something, don't go run errands (first of all, no one wants your germs), don't work out -- let your body use that energy to fight off the bug.

6. Studies show a reduction in upper respiratory infections in people who gargle warm salt water 3 times a day.

7. Other great supplements to consider: chyawanprash, astragalus, ginger (fresh or capsules), vitamins A and C, zinc, echinacea. Notice which pull or speak to you. Just don't take them aaaaallll at the same time.

My winter-season immunity boosters.

If you have a cold

1. Stay home. Rest. I know this is hard to do. The world might stop turning if you have to cancel something or don't show up to that meeting!!  Seriously, I get that it can be inconvenient. I cancelled three things I really wanted to do last week. But pushing it can just worsen and prolong the symptoms and severity.

2. Keep doing all the things above.

3. Steam.

4. Puffs Plus. I don't even know why companies are allowed to make any paper products from non-recycled content. But when I have a cold, I buy the lotion-infused tissue with no apologies.

5. Nourish lightly. You know the saying, Feed a fever, starve a cold? Your body uses a lot of energy to digest food. And you want that energy to be directed at getting better. Eat light, simple and warm foods like soups and broth, cooked seasonal veggies, and stewed fruit. Avoid rich and heavy foods as well as dairy, sugary treats and breads, and anything cold, frozen, dry, and raw, which are all harder to digest.

6. Gentle movement. Once you feel up to it, try some gentle movement, especially easy stretching of the neck, shoulders, and spine. The lymphatic system does not have its own pump, so we can help keep things flowing my moving our bodies. Shoulder rolls, neck stretches, and cat/cow type articulation are all great.

7. Don't try to move on too quickly. How many people, maybe including yourself, have you heard say that they thought they felt better so they went back to their routines...and then got sick again. Ease back into your regular calendar of things slowly. Be gentle with yourself.

I hope you have no need for these ideas, but if you do, may they be of help and inspiration. Do you have cold-proof tactics? Share!

Michelle Marlahan
Where Self Care becomes Soul Care

Join me for a free live webinar on How to Create a Grief Altar to Ease Heartache | Instagram | Facebook