I was home sick for a week in the fall with a cold, sore throat and cough… Not all that uncommon during the season change. I decided to take the opportunity to test some remedies and here’s what I found worked for me.
Warm water w Sea Salt and Turmeric Gargle
This is so simple, and yet really effective. I used ½ tsp of sea salt + a pinch of turmeric in a small cup and added hot water. I stirred in the sea salt and turmeric to mix it well. Then I would take one mouthful at a time and gargle as long as I could. I was surprised at the relief it provided. This remedy is most effective when done in the morning and before bed.
Ginger-Lemon-Honey-Turmeric-Cinnamon Tea
What do all these things have in common? They are all potent warming substances – perfect when one has a cold. While the kettle was boiling, I would use a slice of lemon, a cinnamon stick, a Yogi Ginger tea bag, a ½ tsp of honey and a few pinches of turmeric. When the water boils, I pour it into the mug and drink it as soon as it cools down enough not to burn my mouth. This combination is warming and soothing – great for a cold and sore throat.
Manuka Honey Lozenges
I am a huge fan of manuka honey, and an even bigger fan of the lozenges. I take them to soothe my throat. They even have a variety of flavors now. We use these a lot for airplane travel too[Symbol]
Oil Pulling w Sesame Oil
This one surprised me a little. I oil pull to strengthen my teeth, not soothe my throat, and yet I noticed a soothing effect while my throat was sore. Take one tablespoon of sesame oil into your mouth and swish it around for 2 to 20 minutes. It is great for the oral mucosa – all the way down into the throat!
Rest
When we are well rested our system tends to be more resilient – in a nutshell, rest helps us to maintain and build our ojas (vital protective energy). When anything is off kilter, rest can be a helpful way for your system to re-establish its balance. Some of the practices I do to help me rest more deeply are Yoga Nidra, breath awareness, and restorative yoga.
What are your go to practices or remedies when you have a cold or sore throat? I would love to hear from you.
Om shanti, prema and svastha (peace, love, and health),
m xo