Supporting the Body in Sickness
Life is hard; food doesn't have to be #154 [vol4, 11.5]
Three mom friends succumbed to sickness recently. I sent these reminders how to support their body. Why is it that it is so hard to think when under the weather?!
Supplements - some we take regularly. When sick we take more.
Vitamin C, D, zinc = Vitamin D isn’t just for strong bones but crucial for hormone production and nutrient absorption. I’m cooking more with local lard and especially in winter we eat more local pork for the vitamin D. Pork from the grocery will not have vitamin D because the animals are raised indoors without exposure to the sun.
Epsom salt baths are good for magnesium which is needed by every cell in your body. Use 1-2cups per bath.
Essential oils - my experience has been EOs work especially well on the neck/spine for viruses.. I like to rub minty ones on my chest and spine/neck when sick. Use whatever smells good to you in the moment…it’s probably what your body needs. Run a diffuser.
Elderberry syrup or tincture is especially supporting for flu or viruses.
Garlic - chop and let sit for 5 minutes to develop allicin by its exposure to oxygen. Allicin is the compound that makes garlic so beneficial. Pour raw honey over this chopped garlic and eat a spoonful 3xs/day. Make a big batch all at once. Just keep on counter. You don’t have to chew it for it to be effective. Try to eat the equivalent of once clove per dose. In the same family - onions. Most winter meals at the Majors’ starts with an onion. The nerd in me wrote this ode to the life changing magic to convince you to eat more onions.
Fire cider - potent stuff. I wrote more about it here.
Stay hydrated: squeeze fresh lemon (or raw vinegar) into warm water with a sprinkle of sea salt. Use honey as desired. Make yourself drink every hour. If you’re not peeing frequently you are likely dehydrated which makes coughing worse.
Don’t eat if you’re not hungry. Save all the digestive energy for healing. Definitely don’t eat raw veggies which are hard to digest. Try to avoid sugar and corn syrup (sodas) which are inflammatory. Inflammation is the root of disease. Go for nourishing bone broth, or soups made with broth.
Tamiflu? I’m not a fan. I am a fan of supporting the body through the ways mentioned above. The best thing (for flu/viruses) is to ride the wave. Sleep when you can and stay hydrated. Make yourself drink. And rest. Then rest more. This advice is very anti-American and not supported by the pharmaceutical companies.
See also an article I wrote about Fever as a Child’s Best Friend (& Remedies).
Pizza Every Friday
If you’re an at home pizza maker - or WANT to be an at home pizza maker, please sign up for a new Substack by my fav food blogger Alexandra Stafford. She has done allll the hard work, nerdy experiments, and is going to teach us her ways.
What would you add to the list of ways to support the body in sickness? Leave a comment or reply to the email. Share this with a friend who is sick.
Life is hard; food doesn’t have to be.
Julie
You are too kind as always. Thank you, Julie :) :) :)