Three nights ago I began to feel a bit ill. A few people that I know have been sick with cold/flu, so I've been very careful to wear face masks and wash my hands frequently. Also because it's cold/flu season, I haven't been out in public much.
Because I have Multiple Sclerosis, my immune system is compromised. However, no matter how careful I've been, I still managed to get sick. As soon as I realized what was happening, I immediately got it in my head to flush the sickness out. Initially when I woke up this morning, I had a slight fever and a scratchy throat. Around 10am I took an ibuprofen for the fever and ate quinoa, lentils, and kale so that I'd have something on my stomach. Then I began treating my symptoms with herbal tea combinations, cranberry juice, peppermint, chocolate, and plenty of water and rest.
Teas for day one have been:
Mullein Leaf - helpful for cold, flu, cough, bronchitis, and other respiratory issues
Red Clover Flower - helpful for cough, bronchitis, respiratory issues
Hibiscus flower - helpful for the immune system, digestive system, blood pressure
Osha Root - helpful for relieving inflammation of the bronchial tubes, sore throat, sinus congestion, flu, cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory issues (and more)
Cranberry Juice helpful because it provides vitamin C
Peppermint- helpful for colds, flu, etc as well. Not all medicine has to taste nasty. Also when I get sick i'm quite aware of "sick breath", so peppermint helps with that issue. Peppermint is antibacterial and antiviral and helps fight colds. Believe it or not, it also helps with soreness and so much more (look it up).
Chocolate puts me in my happy place...During the challenge I use Raw Chocolate, of course. Chocolate is good during respiratory issues such as cold, flu, bronchitis, etc because it contains a chemical called theobromine and helps stop the coughing reflex that we often get during colds and such. Granted, dark chocolate is better for you due to the fact that it doesn't contain as much dairy, if any. I'm not going to eat it like cough drops but I will have a few pieces every few hours.
Water is very necessary for good hydration. Depending on if I begin to lose a lot of fluids due to vomiting fever, or diarrhea, etc, the water will help out tremendously. Water helps loosen congestion, too.
Rest is very important when on the road to any recovery. I'm feeling quite weak from the cold and the fatigue I already feel. Resting gives your body the strength it needs to fight off cold and flu.
It's Day Two now 12/31/18, and I've added Yarrow Flower (for fever and stomach discomfort) and Tulsi (for anxiety and cold/flu/respiratory issues) to my system. Trying to add necessary ingredients seems to be helping. My body is still sore, but I don't have as much mucus as I normally would have and I've been urinating alot, which was my goal.
If DAY THREE (1-1-19) brings chest pain or anything else that is alarming I will seek medical attention but for now I'm tired, sick, and hopeful.