After being involved in a car accident on New Years Eve, I have been doing physical therapy twice a week to help with pain I have been experiencing as a result of the accident. During a recent session, my therapist used the strain counterstrain technique to help with my neck pain. He told me that the technique would leave my lymph nodes susceptible so he urged me to be good to myself. The lymph nodes are an important part of the immune system as they transport nutrients and waste materials between the body and bloodstream. When they are "susceptible", our bodies are more vulnerable to illness.

He was right about being susceptible! I started feeling like I had the sniffles later that evening. I did not want to get a cold so I tried some of my favorite natural remedies:

• I always drink a tablespoon of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar in my water

• I mixed one packet of Emergen - C with 8 oz. of water

• I had a cup of Traditional Medicinals Echinacea Tea

• I slept with Organic Eucalyptus Essential Oil in my Diffuser

The next morning, my sniffles were gone! I felt great. I would recommend any of these remedies if you feel a cold coming on this cold and flu season! Check out how each remedy keeps us well below:

Apple Cider Vinegar

• Malic acid found in ACV has antiviral properties that help prevent colds and boost the immune system. Reap these effects by adding 1-2 tablespoons of ACV to a glass of water.

• If you do start to feel sick, ACV can relieve a sore throat. Gargling 1/4 cup of ACV and 1/4 cup warm water can soothe a sore throat and kill germs in the throat.

• ACV can also relieve sinus congestion. Potassium and acetic acid found in ACV promote sinus drainage. Reap these effects by adding 1-2 tablespoons of ACV to a glass of water.

Emergen-C

• Emergen-C packets have 1,000 mg of immune system boosting vitamin C as well as other nutrients including zinc and manganese that support immune function.

• I like Emergen-C because the ingredients are natural and the formal is effective. Also, the taste is easy to tolerate!

Echinacea

• Echinacea has immune-stimulating properties. This stimulation is facilitated by boosting white blood cell activity which results in the destruction of bacteria!

• In Germany, Echinacea is approved for use to treat conditions including infections, urinary tract infections and tuberculosis!

Eucalyptus Oil

• Eucalyptus has antiviral and expectorant properties making it a great immune system boosting remedy for congestion!

• Use this oil topically or in an essential oil diffuser.

Essential Oil Diffuser

• Essential oil diffusers are great for dispersing essential oils into the air. They fill the air with mood-lifting and health-boosting aromas.

• Diffusing oils like Eucalyptus oil can be beneficial to respiratory conditions including congestion associated with the common cold.

• Relaxing oils such as Eucalyptus and Lavender oils can great a calming atmosphere when diffused using an oil diffuser.

• Click here to see the essential oil diffuser that I am currently using! This is a great diffuser for first time diffusers. It is simple and easy to use. I love that it is affordable and that it has a light that changes colors. The light adds to the atmosphere created by the diffuser.

• There are also diffusers that double as humidifers and have other cool features like times. Click here to see the diffuser that I hope to buy soon!

#winter #cold #flu #remedy #remedies #eucalyptus #echinacea #applecidervinegar #ACV #EmergenC #sinus #congestion #zinc #immunesystem