Turmeric and vitamin C smoothie to fight off the flu
Is there anyone out there that is not actually sick? Seriously? I thought I would have avoided it, due to a combination of not doing the dog on it over the festive season, and having the flu vaccine all the way back in October. Nope, aches and pains, feeling light-headed and sniffling, with a mo’fo of a sore throat to top it off…even though perhaps it would be worse without said vaccine? Who knows, and right now I don’t care, I just want to feel better.
We’ve all heard the classic advice, fluids, rest and paracetamol…but what if that’s just not cutting it? Vitamin C, zinc, vitamin B – check. After gargling water until drowning seems a realistic possibility, and genuinely considering swallowing an entire tube of the topical anaesthetic in work, I found some other ways to soothe my symptoms.
- Liquid chlorophyll
I’ve mentioned this before in relation to acne and clear skin, and the brand I’d recommend is Nature’s Sunshine, usually available from Here’s Health, or your local health food store might be able to order it in for you. Chlorophyll is a great all round detoxer (hello there, January) but also really good to soothe a sore throat – and diluted in water, it’s another way to up your much needed fluid intake. The Nature’s Sunshine version tastes nice and isn’t as concentrated as some brands, which means it shouldn’t stain you teeth (some of them are really thick and dark). I add a tablespoon to a 2L bottle that I keep in the fridge to drink throughout the day, and will have a few glasses with a half a teaspoon to treat a sore throat on top of that. It has a really nice cooling effect and I have yet to get sick of the taste (can’t say as much for cough syrup).
2. Tea tree oil
A blocked nose can really benefit from facial steaming (especially if your hearing has become affected) and I like to add tea tree oil to the bowl – which will not only help clear your sinuses, but is also great for any skin breakouts. Another way to do this is the get yourself an oil diffuser – I have a water based one in work that helps my surgery not smell like the dentist (which can help with nervous patients) and humidifies the air, helping both my sinuses and skin to function better (air conditioning can be a nightmare for both). Not too sure where my diffuser came from, as it was a present, but you can easily find some online.
3. Turmeric
Currently in fashion, mainly for it’s anti-inflammatory effects, I’ve written about its benefits before. Not only is it anti-inflammatory, but turmeric also has anti-microbial properties. I have turmeric with hot water, lemon and ginger most days, but while run down I looked to up the dose somewhat – and this smoothie was the result:
1 x banana
1 x t1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 x small knob ginger, peeled
1 can of coconut milk (I use the full fat version, but either should work)
Handful of raspberries
Juice of 1/3 of a lemon
Blend together and serve with your favourite netflix series and a box of tissues. Have you also been struck down with the flu? I’d love to hear any tips you have for fighting it off, and if you try any of the above – I hope they help!