Beat Cold & Flu ~ Vol. 4: 4 Household Items To Approach Fever

Having a fever is a serious deal. That is almost like you are told "Now you are officially sick". Some people do have a hard (and long) time recovering from that. We need to approach to feverish conditions properly because a body is in such a vulnerable place under them. 

But Here, I want to get your attention baaadly!

Is fever a malicious symptom? ...Really?

"Give me a fever and I can cure any disease."

Hippocrates, 400 B.C.

Why is fever induced in the first place? 

When pathogenic agents (influenza, virus, or bacteria) enter a body, immunocytes (leukocytes and macrophages) get activated to signal neural transmissions to destroy pathogens, by the method of raising up body temperatures to kill pathogens — fever.

Our body, neither virus or bacteria, is causing the fever as one of natural self-healing methods. So, having a fever is a very healthy body reaction — that shows a body is functioning properly. And that is quite essential on healing process, you don't want to suppress.

While a body is fighting with running a fever, it's important to keep hydrating a body. (It's ok that a person cannot eat, but make sure not to be dehydrated)

Here are 4 recommended regimens! 

◊ Lemon water

1 tbsp of lemon juice in a cup of lukewarm~hot water

   ***Direction: Sip them through a day

◊ Herbal tea

'Diaphoretic' herbs are great ones to take advantage of — they increase sweating and guide the heat out of a body through pores.

There are so many herbs on the lists for each detailed condition. Here, I introduce all-around tea blends for feverish conditions with kitchen herbs!

• Pale, cold, weak condition

   Need to stimulate circulation

   Stimulating Chai tea ↓ 

   Mix any black tea with Ginger + Cardamom + Black pepper

• Feverish shiver, restless, irritable, tensed, ache with tension condition

   Relax tension in a body and also help circulation

   Elder (flower) + Lemon balm + Rosehips

   Yarrow (flower) + Mint + Elder (flower)

• If lack of appetite, upsetting stomach, or digestive cramp is involved...

   Ginger and Cinnamom are great digestive herbs, as well as   diaphoretic. You can blend them into above blends.

   Ginger + Cinnamom + Lemon + Raw honey

   ***Direction: Sip them through a day

◊ Bone broth

As written in BEAT COLD & FLU ~ Vol. 1, gelatin-rich bone broth offers infinite benefits to a body. Recently (finally!!) it's getting a hip thing to sip on good quality bone broth soup. Bone broth is getting acknowledged :) widely for its active health benefits. But actually, bone broth soup has been around traditionally all over the world as a base of tasty soupy dishes with profound umami.

Addition to what I wrote on the prior post, gelatin-rich bone broth also can be used on stomach flu, which gives act-up stomach. Gelatin can treat the root of the problem happened in gut.

You can use any animal bones to make it. You can ingest bone broth alone. But I'd recommend to mix with medicinal mushrooms + herbs and culinary herbs to make it extra flavorful and medicinal.

I am planning to share the recipe in another post soon.

   ***Direction: Sip them through a day

◊ Skin to skin communication

It's a miracle healing power we all have. Especially to kids in bed. They are wanting mom's (or anyone close) gentle sweet touch with care, and that really works! Give them comfort and warmth. Those are very heartening during feeling wear period. We all know, right? 

Even on injuries or pain involved situation, placing care-giver's hand on the vulnerable spot of a body can indeed alleviate discomforts. Our care and love transport in energy level.

Fever can give us an opportunity to show someone our affection that we couldn't show in busy days :)

Beat Cold & Flu ~ Vol. 3: 8 Medicinal Herbs to Minimize Symptoms

There are innumerable medicinal plants out there. They can be used to support getting you through the cold & flu, our homeostasis, and our immunity.

"Waters are distilled out of herbs, flowers, fruits, and roots"

–Nicholas Culpeper

Plants work on 'specific' indications — what kind of cough you are experiencing? where in your body are you congested? Are you shivering or experiencing hot flashes? There are so many ranges of symptoms. Plants can offer relief for your particular symptoms. Opening up to them and using herbs accurately is the key to be blessed with plants and... nature.

⚠︎ Herbs should be prepared in medicinal level (Strong infusion, Decoction, Tincture...)

◊ Astragalus (root):

Traditional Chinese herb. Great immune enhancement & tonic when weak and recovering from: colds, flu, bronchitis, and other upper respiratory tract infections.

    ***Avoid when in actively sick (such as feverish condition) due to its anti-diaphoretic action, which helps hot-flash/sweating from menopause.

   Preparation: Decoction, Tincture

◊ Echinacea (flower & root):

Traditionally a trusted herb for cold & flu, especially for prevention and early stages of onset. It should be taken frequently through the day to act on active cold & flu.

Its anti-microbial action can work on infections of the upper respiratory tract.

   Preparation: Infusion, Tincture, Electuary, Vinegar, Oxymel, Syrup, Oil, Steam

◊ Elecampane (root):

Coughing with mucus is our body's attempt to expel mucus out of the lungs. It's a necessary step in the healing process. Suppressing this natural healing step can cause mucus trapped in lungs, also lead to additional infections.

Elecampane works as expectorant, helping mucus leaving a respiratory tract.

   ***Great 'Prebiotic' as well. Probiotics (a kind of fiber) works as nutritional fertilizers for good bacterias in our gut, where 80% of our immunity is located.

   Preparation: Decoction, Infusion, Tincture, Honey

◊ Monarda:

Its strong anti-microbial action treats a host of infections — cough, sneezing, nasal discharge and congestion, fever, sore throat etc...

   ***oil Infusion, honey infusion, and strong infusion are useful methods to apply.

   Preparation: Infusion, Tincture, Electuary, Vinegar, Oxymel, Syrup, Oil, Steam

◊ Marshmallow (root & leaf):

Dry cough (without mucus) may be an indication that your respiratory tract may be dry and irritated. Marshmallow root has actions to soothe, moisten and cool down; it can be taken for dry/irritating coughs or an inflamed throat.

   ***DO NOT infuse Marshmallow with hot water, use cold ~ lukewarm water and let it sit at least for 4 hrs (over-night is ideal).

   Preparation: Infusion, Oil, Syrup, Capsule

◊ Mullein:

Very versatile herb for a respiratory issue! It has similar properties to Marshmallow, including soothing, toning, and cooling inflammations, while stimulating fluid production.

For a painful, cracking cough and cough coming from deep place (M. Wood), Mullein will show its benefits.  

   ***Plantain (leaf) can be used in the same box.

   Preparation: Decoction (root & seed), Tincture, Infusion (leaf & flower), Oil, Capsule

◊ Wild cherry bark:

Another known cough remedy in history. Anti-inflammatory, astringent, and cooling properties. It's great especially for a persistent cough, and irritating, tickling throat — Calming spasmodic coughs.

   Preparation: Infusion, Tincture, Syrup

◊ Wild lettuce:

Not only calming spasmodic coughs or cooling heated lungs, but also super sedative and calming (physically and mentally). This potency helps those who wake up over night from non-stop irritating coughs and induce better sleep. SLEEP is the MOST important while sick!

   ***This herb is not very widely sold, so do some research in your area! Here is one location in NYC.

   Herbs & Alchemist, Mountain Rose Herbs, Woodland Essence are online vendors carrying Wild lettuce.

   Preparation: Infusion, Tincture