by Demetria Clark

Illness is not a time to suffer. We become ill because our bodies are trying to tell us something. “Rest,” Eat Better,” “Take care of yourself!” This is why making time for self-care is essential to a speedy recovery. I believe that having a sinus infection is a great time to blend therapy with a bubble bath; a cold is a great time to be warmed and catered to.

The following is a remedy care package that we should all have on hand to combat illness when it strikes, along with suggested applications. Many of the items listed may be used regularly to prevent the onset of illness and most of the items listed are readily available in grocery stores. As with any remedy, if you are pregnant or nursing you should check with your doctor before using any of the following suggestions. *Denotes not safe during pregnancy

Ailment Shopping List:

Local Honey
Local honey has local pollen and local allergens in a homeopathic amount ready to assist with alleviating allergies and sinus issues.

Fresh Rosemary
This herb is know for clearing the head and acts as a circulatory stimulant. Rosemary tea with honey is great for sinus ailments. Rosemary also helps to clear a groggy head.

Fresh Sage
Sage is great for sore throats in a tea or gargle, but should not be used if nursing. Sage is known to diminish milk supply.

Fresh Thyme
Thyme assists with freer breathing and it has anti-microbial and anti-spasmodic properties.

Fresh Ginger
Nothing assists in alleviating Nausea like ginger. It is great for sour stomach and clearing an ailing head.

Essential oils
Rosemary*, Peppermint, Wintergreen*, Eucalyptus or Tea Tree oils are all beneficial. If you cannot find one or any of these oils try a liquid soap or shampoo containing one of these scents. These oils are great for ailing sinus headache and the common cold which does most of it’s growing in nasal cells. The cold is also susceptible to smell, because of its location. So, when you feel a cold coming on a great way to pre-treat is with essential oils. They can be taken as a steam, through a diffuser, dropped on a handkerchief, or a in the shower. When used in the shower add 2-3 drops to the tub and run the hot water, this releases the steam and essence of the essential oil.

If you find one of scents in hand soap, wash frequently. Studies have shown that colds are easily transferable so frequent hand washing and wiping commonly touched surfaces is a great way to eliminate disease. Some surfaces you’ll want to scrub include doorknobs, toilet handles, faucets, etc…

Epsom Salt
This is an excellent cold care bath salt when combined with essential oils of your choice. When we are sick none of us like putting complicated formulas together, but this one is simple, easy and quick, just add 2 cups of Epsom salts to 4-6 drops of essential oil (using less of the mint family, which tends to be more potent in baths), and you will be on your way to better health in no time.

Loofah
When bathing gently loofah your skin to increase circulation and clean your body. Increasing bodily circulation gets all of your fluids moving, this helps to expunge the illness from the body through elimination.

Tennis Balls, Racquetball
You can use the tennis balls as reflexology balls and run your feet over them for a self massage, massage your legs and neck also providing relief to sore muscles and increasing circulation.

Fresh Garlic and Miso
When you feel a cold coming on, garlic, miso, Gypsy Cold Care tea from Traditional Medicinals or a pre-made cold care tea blend may help ward off illness. If you don’t have one of these and don’t feel up to a trip out, you can make one up from the following recipe:
1 part Peppermint Leaf
¼ part Cinnamon Stick
½ part Yarrow
½ part Rose Hips
A part is a unit of measurement.
It is suggested that you make this blend up before a cold or at the beginning of cold season so when you are ill you can make pots of steamy nourishing tea to see you through.
You may also try adding chopped garlic and herbs (any in your ailment shopping list) to miso broth. Add one teaspoon of herb per cup of water. This is a great nourishing soup to eat during illness; it is nutritionally potent and warming to mucus membranes, softening mucus and sinuses.

Fun Stuff
Pick up a couple of those magazines you like to read but never have time to (or just relax in bed with your laptop opened to MELT), listen to audio books, read a novel, or watch that movie you just love but haven’t had the time to watch in years. Being bedridden is a great time to read, catch up on writing, or spend time thinking. Use this time as a time of healing, but also as a time learn more about yourself.

Treat yourself to a clean set of sheets even though you may not feel up to making the bed, at this time. For added comfort and healing assistance you may want to add 1-2 drops of essential oil onto your mattress and try to wear cloths made of fibers that will allow your body to easily regulate temperature and breath. Be sure to allow yourself sleep time. Listen to your book on tape, radio, etc… You can usually nip a sinus infection in the bud with rest and aggressive healing work.

Relax with a bubble bath in a dark and quite bathroom. If you are fighting a sinus headache, add 2-3 drops of essential oil and relax in the water, firmly massage your sinus areas, base of neck and jaw line. This works best if you’re underwater because your fingers will slide easily over your wet skin. Relax. Breathe in the essential oil fumes. Imagine yourself calm, flowing, and releasing the congestion.

The key to healing yourself in any illness is to listen to you, rest and properly nourish yourself. Will you stop getting sick for the rest of your life by applying preventive measures, probably not, but you will be taking the first steps to self-care. Learning to care for your body is empowering and healthy.

**This article was not written to offer treatment protocols, just suggestions and ideas. Please seek proper health care if ill. **

Visit Demetria at www.heartofherbs.com

© Melt Magazine 2003