Last week I felt that familiar tickle in the back of my throat.
What is this again? I thought.
Oh yeah, a virus. A cold. Something making my throat hurt. It’s been such a long time since I’ve even had a cold I had to rack my brain to remember what the feeling was. I definitely remembered it as I woke up in the middle of the night when that tickle had transformed into a full-on scratch. My throat felt like sandpaper every time I swallowed.
And WHY can you not STOP swallowing when your throat hurts?
It’s like you do it just to double-check that that shit still hurts. Swallow. Ouch. Swallow again. Still ouch. So that was how I spent my night. Not ideal considering how crucial sleep is to the immune system. When I finally got up the next morning, I knew I had to whip out my arsenal of natural remedies to sucker punch this bitch of a cold in the face. So here’s how to get rid of a cold before it forms.
Step 1:
Apple cider vinegar. ACV. It doesn’t taste amazing, but it’s not the worst thing ever. ACV is a potent immune booster and is also rich in enzymes. It will help fight off a virus and is also great if you ever have any heartburn issues.
Step 2:
Raw garlic. They don’t call this Russian penicillin for nothin’. Garlic is not only anti-viral but it’s also anti-bacterial and helps kill of any harmful bacteria in the gut – which boosts the immune system. It’s also a great addition if you have any yeast issues.
Step 3:
Vitamin C. But before you go out and buy any ol’ vitamin C supplement, know that most vitamin C supplements out there are made from genetically modified corn and are doing your body a whole lot more harm than good.
I use and recommend THIS vitamin C supplement that also has enzymes and probiotics!
Step 4:
Probiotics! Probiotics fight the harmful bacteria in your gut and keep your immune system strong, among other things. Probiotics are absolutely critical when you’re getting sick.
I highly recommend eating probiotic rich food like water kefir, sauerkraut, kombucha, etc. I also recommend a good probiotic; THIS is one of the best.
Step 5:
Bone broth. That Old Wives tale about chicken soup being good for sickness is actually completely true. This is because bone broth is loaded with vitamins, minerals, gelatin and healthy fats. It strengthens the lining of the gut and boosts the immune system.
And it gives you a much needed vitamin and mineral boost because most people who are sick don’t have much of an appetite. So drinking bone broth is a wonderful addition to any cold or flu fighting regimen.
Photo courtesy of here.
