Tips For Avoiding The Dreaded Spring Cold..... by Pepper Binkley (our favorite non-traditional medicinal)

Spring is the worst time to be down and out with a cold!  No one wants to miss the fun outdoor gatherings and festive Spring parties that start happening in abundance as the weather gets nicer.  When I felt a miserable sore throat coming on last week, I immediately got in touch with my friend Pepper, who always has several non-traditional, secret remedies up her sleeve.  Lucky for all of us she was willing to share her tips for staving off the dreaded cold! 

Pepper's Tips.....

Number 1. FLUIDS:We all know this.Here are the top five I go for when sick:1) Traditional medicinal teas (http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/seasonal_products): gypsy cold care, organic echinacea plus, and throat coat2) Boil ginger slices in water for 10-15 minutes, add lemon and honey3) Juices: at home or from your local store -- the key is fresh juices that haven't had time to oxidize...when you're sick, juices help replenish your system without stressing out your digestive tract. at the juice shop have them add a generous helping of fresh ginger and garlic to the juice.4) Broth: when I'm sick I drink it the same way I do tea. You can get great fresh broth from most vietnamese and korean restaurants - (in Venice, China Beach has a tub as a "side order" for around $5). Otherwise, it's super easy to make at home... just add onions, garlic (lots!), ginger (a theme?), carrots, and celery to a pot with salt and you'll end up with a great veggie broth. Once it cooks down, add poultry/beef/fish bones if you're not a vegetarian.5) Water obviously

Number 2. BODY THERAPIES1) Massage: get a massage as soon as you start to feel sick. It will get your lymphatic system working as it should and hopefully nip the bugger in the bud. My mom used to take me to the masseuse first and the doctor second if i was still sick the next day.2) Acupuncture: it just works.

Number 3. HERBS AND HOMEOPATHY AND THINGS1) Propolis/honey and their cousins: these are my favorite propolis products from New Zealand's brand Comvita...I discovered them while living in London: http://www.comvita.com/winter-remedies.html2) Oscillococcinum : for flu like symptoms - the best homeopathic remedy of them all. let me note that there is no evidence that homeopathy works-- but people swear by it...even my scientifically-proven prejudiced brother.3) Sambucol black elderberry: http://www.nutricity.com/n/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=17695&utm_medium=feed&utm_source=froogle&gclid=CP2XiIfTrqgCFQwFbAodxTVYHw

Number 4. SLEEP

Thank you Pepper!!!!