Besides getting as much rest as possible there are certain things that can help speed up recovery and get you back to feeling great again. I have found that hydration is key and there are certain drinks that help combat all the nasty sickies that come our way!
Here are the top drinks to sip on while you are sick.
Common Cold and FLU
Hands down the best drink is BONE BROTH. REAL homemade bone broth is best. The store bought variety of soup broths cannot compare to the quality of a good, homemade broth. According to an old South American proverb a “Good broth will resurrect the dead”.
Good Quality Bone Broth is full of
- collagen
- gelatin
- hyaluronic acid
- chondroitin sulfate
- glycosamino glycans
- proline
- glycine
- calcium
- phosphorus
- magnesium
- potassium
Bone broth is a highly nutrient-dense food that has everything your body needs to fight off a cold.
COUGH
To soothe an itchy sore throat or calm a cough the best drink is a simple one but you need the RIGHT ingredients. Warm water, the juice of one lemon, pinch of sea salt and RAW honey (it must be raw and local if possible). Mix this all in and drink up to three times a day especially right before bed to settle a cough. Over the counter cough medicines DON’T WORK and they come with nasty side effects.
Raw honey is an all natural cough suppressant and can improve nighttime sleep. The sea salt packs a mineral punch to keep electrolytes in balance. Raw honey is not what you find inside those honey bears at the store. Raw honey is not pasteurized and all of its nutrients remain intact. Raw honey is full of antioxidants and is antiviral, antibacterial, and anti fungal. Honey is a tried and true homeopathic remedy. The BIBLE contains many references to honey. The ancients used honey based treatments to cure and heal wounds and other infections.
Note: If you don’t have lemons on hand you can use 1-2 drops of lemon essential oil. The oil must be pure and seed to seal certified like the brand I use YOUNG LIVING.
UPSET STOMACH AND THE STOMACH FLU
A few years back I can remember we all got hit with the stomach flu. It was a week of H*LL ! When your kids are little and can’t help themselves in the bathroom it requires a lot of patience, I’ll just say that. Thankfully we all survived and I learned a few things that I will share with you. We also had a family friend stop by at the time with a “get well” care package. Inside was some Canada Dry ginger Ale, saltines, and bananas.
Though I appreciated the gesture once they left I dumped the ginger Ale (AKA POP/SODA) down the drain. Actually I can’t stand when people drink this stuff and give it to their kids thinking it will soothe an upset stomach. It WON’T and actually you may feel worse if you drink it.
The ingredients list for Canada Dry ginger ale looks like this CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVORS, GREEN TEA, SODIUM BENZOATE(PRESERVATIVE), ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (TO PROTECT FLAVOR).
YIKES! This stuff is garbage! Chemicals, preservatives, corn syrup and is there even any ginger??? Don’t drink it and don’t be fooled into thinking it somehow will help, IT WON’T.
Instead try soothing ginger kombucha for an upset tummy. Ginger kombucha is packed FULL of probiotics ready to go to work healing up an inflamed tummy. Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger, responsible for much of its medicinal properties. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It can relieve nausea, settle the stomach and relax the body. Ginger Kombucha packs a punch with the probiotic benefits of this fermented drink infused with the amazing benefits of ginger.
Quick Tip: To prevent the spread of the stomach flu I have found diffusing Young Living brand thieves oil throughout the house helps tremendously. I Also make a homemade rub with a few drops of YL thieves oil and a carrier oil (coconut)and put it on the feet of those who are not feeling well before bed.
Getting sick is always a bummer but using natural remedies like those above can certainly help the body speed up the healing process to get you back on your feet again!
Be Well!
Susie R. 🙂