Category Archives: cold

Healing Remedies from the Kitchen

Merry meet all,

Our health is vitally important. Lately I felt ill. I suffered heachaches, an earache, vomiting, and I believed I had a fever (which two doctors confirmed wasn’t true), and a sore throat- which I still have. I went and was tested for the Corona Virus which I don’t have thankfully. I was confirmed negative. I am fine and I happily bought groceries today.

However, I have excellent health remedies that are simple, affordable and available to all. I am happy to share them with you.

Herbal Teas

I know you all want to reach for a cup of joe/ mocha but hear me out. Caffeine can make you more alert and I drink it too. In fact, I just bought a new coffeemaker today. Limit your caffeine intake though. You have to add cream if you do take your coffee that way. That can exacerbate a cold or flu.

Herbal teas are powerful healing remedies. I have a sore throat and I always make sure I have Traditional Medicinals Herbal teas at hand. The Throat Coat variety is the best for truly soothing an aching throat. It is better than cheap lozenges. I am not trying to replace a medical practitioner though. These herbal teas are organic  and full of potent power to help soothe and heal you. Chamomile tea is good too.  Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and has astringent properties. Peppermint tea is healing too. which helps thin mucus and calm sore throats and coughs. Peppermint also has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, which may encourage healing.

Honey is the next best thing to heal your body and soothe a sore throat. Honey is naturally antibacterial. The bees can’t be wrong.

If you are uber muchly into organic remedies. try licorice root for soothing a sore throat. You can try fenugreek and marshmallow root. For an added bonus, these herbs may be in the herbal teas I mentioned above. 

Gargle with salt water. This kills the bacteria present in your throat which can speed healing. 

Dilute 1 to 2 tablespoons of ACV in one cup of water and gargle with it. Then take a small sip of the mixture, and repeat the whole process one to two times per hour. Make sure to drink lots of water in between the gargling sessions.
There are many different ways of using ACV to treat sore throats, depending on the severity of the illness and also your body’s sensitivity to vinegar. It is best to first consult your doctor or healthcare practitioner.

Garlic
Garlic also has natural antibacterial properties. It contains allicin, an organosulfur compound known for its ability to fight off infections.

Studies have shown that taking a garlic supplement on a regular basis can help prevent the common cold virus. Adding fresh garlic to your diet is also a way of gaining its antimicrobial properties. Your grandmother might have told you to suck on a clove of garlic to sooth a sore throat. Because garlic has many healing actions, you might try this, though you may want to brush your teeth afterward to protect your teeth from enzymes and improve your breath.
Cayenne pepper or hot sauce
Often used as a pain reliever, cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a natural compound known for blocking pain receptors.
Although not scientifically proven, ingesting cayenne mixed with warm water and honey can help with pain relief for sore throats. Remember that an initial burning sensation is common. Cayenne should not be taken if you have open sores in your mouth. Start with just a few drops of hot sauce or a light sprinkle of cayenne, as both can be very hot.

Sore throat remedies for infants and children
Sore throats in infants and young children definitely aren’t fun, but the good news is that they’re rarely the sign of a medical emergency on their own. Still, treating sore throats may be different for infants and children. Here are a few tips and remedies:
Add cool mist or a humidifier to your child’s room. Moisture in the air can help relieve pain from a sore throat.
Keep children hydrated by encouraging them to drink as much as possible. Avoid juices or popsicles with lots of citrus.
Children under 5 years should not be given hard candy cough drops or anything else that might pose a choking risk. Use caution when giving cough drops to children under 10 years.
Don’t give honey to children who are younger than 1 year.
Prevention
To prevent sore throat, stay away from people who are sick with an infectious illness like the flu or strep throat. Wash your hands frequently. Try to avoid spicy or acidic foods, and stay away from chemical fumes or smoke that could cause inflammation.
Over-the-counter treatments
When natural remedies just aren’t cutting it, there are several over-the-counter treatment options. Acetaminophen can be effective for sore throat, and it can be given to young children.
Over-the-counter options like lozenges or numbing sprays can also provide relief. Other potential sore throat soothers include eucalyptus, which you’ll likely find in natural throat lozenges and cough syrups.
Buyer beware
Herbs and supplements are not monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for quality, packaging, dosage, or safety. Also, the batches may be different from container to container. Lack of regulation means that each supplement might give you a different medicinal dose. Be careful using these remedies, and be sure to buy from a reputable source.

Bacterial infections, such as strep throat, whooping cough, and diphtheria, are responsible for only a small percentage of sore throats. Most doctors recommend calling a doctor only in cases of severe sore throat, such as sore throat with a fever or when swollen tonsils block the throat.
Trying out some of these natural remedies may help you feel better more quickly and save you a trip to the doctor’s office. To feel your best, make sure you also drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest.

There you have it, Hopefully these remedies prove helpful to you. Be well and stay safe!! 

Blessings, Spiderwitch

 

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Merry Ostara!!

Merry Meet All,

Tomorrow is Spring Equinox!! I hope you are all as excited as I am!! Dust off your cauldrons and broomsticks for a ride into the wild green wilderness with the Goddess and the Green Man. Bump into some hares and eggs on the way.

I am proud to announce that Eternal Haunted Summer has released their Spring issue on the website. My article, The Fires of Beltaine is published as well as fascinating contributions from other writers. Here is the link to Eternal Haunted Summer: http://eternalhauntedsummer.com/ Be sure to read this amazing issue. I took a peek and it looks great. I especially enjoyed the poem about the Goddess Morrigan and the interview with a successful Pagan author, Elissa Wilds.

I would love to hear how you plan to honour Spring Equinox! Please feel free to comment on my blog and share your altar photos. I am sure your altars are all already beautifully decorated. Do share.

For those of you who dwell in Haligonia, there is to be a ritual at the Universalist Unitarian Church on 5500 Inglis Street at 6:30 pm on March 29th. There will be a ritual followed by a feast and a gifting table. Feel free to join in the fun.

Merry Ostara to all of you pagans and witches!! The wind may be cold but the sun is on our backs. May March go in like a lion and out like a lamb.

Blessed Be,
Lady Spiderwitch )O(

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Filed under altars, cold, flowers, Merry Ostara, photos, rituals, Spring Equinox, wind

Changes

Merry Meet All,

As I walk along my favorite nature trail everyday or nearly everyday, I hear the tree boughs creaking, leaves swish in the wind, and dry leaves skitter along the trail. Jays and crows greet each other. Dogs bark at passerby and squirrels chatter. It is an ideal trail for a city. I love walking the trail. I love the energy there.

The days are shorter and the wind grows colder. The trees are nearly bare. A few lingering leaves cling to the branches. The dark half of the year is upon us. It is the best time of year for writing. I am writing a ghost story, which I do, once I can tear myself from the lure of the internet. It is a good time to savor hot tea and curl up with a good book. I bought a book by a local author and friend today. It is called An Ogham Wood by Cliff Seruntine. I’ve begun reading it and am already fascinated by the awesome tale. I won a copy of the book by another local author and friend Steve Vernon-the Lunenburg Werewolf. I got that book signed by the author and bought his other book Maritime Monsters for my niece. My niece and sister love the books.

It is a good time to be reflecting on the past year. I am always eager for the new year but I can say that I have had some wonderful times this year. I have realized what wonderful friends I have- human and four-legged and furry, lol. I am realizing how fortunate I am. I hope it is or will be the same for you.

Blessings,
Lady Spiderwitch

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Filed under An Ogham Wood, cold, fall, reflection, Seruntine, weather