Layer Up!

 Nothing like a cold, winter day, Brrr! I remember back in the day, before we would go outside, Mom would tell us to, "Layer up!" put on socks, long underwear underneath our pants, hat, scarf and gloves. We would be burning up inside the house but once outside, there was no stopping us. Nowadays, I use the word layer as a part of a herbal protocol. When I am going through cold, flu, I try to hit it at every level. Recently I started feeling a little under the weather-coughing, stiff neck, runny nose. I looked around the house, asked myself, "What do I have that I can start using now?" Like the story in the Bible about the woman and the jar of oil (2 Kings 4-KJV), I used what I had. To perk up my immune system, I started taking 2ml Echinacea (E. purpurea) 3 times/day, for about 4 days-Echinacea is used for acute onset of bacterial or viral infection (colds and flu). 

To address my coughing, I combined White Horehound and Wild Cherry Bark Tea-both very good for the respiratory system and cough. My stiff neck and back loved a good rub with Frankincense and Myrrh oil-pain relief, or Rosemary Essential Oil (Carrier oil Castor, Canola oil, or Vaseline-whatever was available). Topical Rosemary oil has many uses- anti inflammatory, improves circulation. Last but not least, I bundled up and rested. By the time the weekend was over, I was feeling much better, and could march into the week energized and ready to go.

Like I say, what works for me, may not work for you but I'm glad you joined me on my journey. Hope to see you again.