At this point, I have never worked with COVID-19, though I have dealt with flus and colds. I know the COVID-19 is different from the common flu but both present uncomfortable symptoms and the body needs support during these times. As we are all preparing for a time of social distancing, our health care system will become overwhelmed and taxed, along with disruption to our food and medicine supply chains. So, I want to share some supportive remedies that you can find in your kitchen cupboard or growing in your backyard that provide some relief. These tips are not to replace medical attention: if you are in respiratory distress ~ seek medical immediately attention, go the ER!

I just want to give you some tools that can be found in your home to empower you, so you don’t have to venture too far away from home during this period of social isolation. I will be sharing our family’s remedies that help ease discomforts experienced during flu and cold season.

When someone has a tickle or an inkling that they caught a bug, I make Lemon Ginger Tea. It is delicious and warms your body inside and out. The lemon is high in Vitamin C, and boosts your immune system. As you sip the tea you can feel it breaking up the mucus and reducing the congestion. The ginger is antibacterial and also boosts your immune system. As it heats you up, you can feel the toxins exit your body through your pores with every sip. Its anti-inflammatory properties help relieve muscle aches, which is key when you are under the weather. Plus, there’s nothing better for an upset stomach or nausea than ginger. I like to top off the tea with some raw honey (be sure it’s raw, as commercial honey growers often supplement the bees with sugar water, which dilutes the medicinal qualities of the honey), as a great cough suppressant. It contributes to the antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and expectorant qualities to the tea. The three ingredients create a lovely tart, spicy and soothing flavor. All and all a delicious tea that helps you feel better.

I simply start by brewing the tea in the morning and then sip it all day long, refilling the pot with water as it gets low. All you need is an organic lemon, organic raw ginger and raw honey. Fill a 4-quart pot with water and slice both the entire lemon, and about 3 inches of ginger, yes, peel and all for both. Add them to pot, bring to boil and then simmer for at least an hour before you start drinking. Once the tea has been poured into your cup, add honey to taste. You don’t want to kill any medicinal qualities of the raw honey by heating it in the pot. Keep adding water to the pot all day long and start fresh each morning. Enjoy!

Remember to get lots of rest and don’t panic ~ relax, eat whole foods, lots of veggies, stay away from sugar, processed foods, alcohol, crowds and wash your hands (a lot).

What do you do when someone in the family is under the weather? Please share and I will continue to share. Be well.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.