Nothing can rob the joy of the holiday season like a fever, sore throat, body aches, and endless Kleenex tissues. We have all been there, dealing with unwelcomed symptoms at family gatherings. It’s unfortunate that this special time of the year is often dampened by getting sick. There is no full proof way to avoid getting sick, but there are natural options that can minimize the severity of being ill. This post is a personal reflection of how I’ve addressed viral and bacterial infections naturally.
Catching a bug is always an unpleasant experience that can disrupt plans but is worse for those with autoimmune conditions. Something I learned early on was that getting a virus always activated auto-immune related inflammation. I quickly observed that many common OTC medications caused a negative immune response as well. Aside from Tylenol capsules, everything I tried for respiratory and bacterial infections were not tolerated well. Some of the harder periods of being sick made me wish there was something I could take for relief. After a few years of dealing with the consequences of most OTC medications, I believed I had no choice but to suffer the symptoms.
It was about six years into my diagnosis that I began to research natural remedies more diligently. I came across a variety of herbs and spices that contained anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. I felt a glimmer of hope in discovering new medicine that worked. I tried a few options with some that agreed and others that didn’t. Herbal teas were mostly unagreeable for me except green tea, but I know some do well with certain varieties. I also tried spices like cinnamon and turmeric which did not yield any noticeable positive effects when I was sick. I did my best to maintain crucial nutrients in my diet like zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin C for immune defense. But I still longed for something that made an actual difference for symptom relief and faster recovery.
One day I came across a video online that mentioned the multiple healing uses of raw honey. Everything I had known about honey up to this point was that it is a natural sweetener and is sometimes added to cough drops. I lost count of how many attributes were listed on this video and began to think it was greatly exaggerated. It can be difficult to filter between articles and online reviews to determine the truth and accuracy of statements. I decided to proceed with the next step in searching for credible studies that backed up the claims that I had just heard.
What I read sounded promising and a certain name and type of honey kept popping up, it was called Manuka. This is a unique honey that only grows from Manuka flowers located in New Zealand. What I read stated that it can kill antibiotic resistant bacteria, fight viruses, and heal ulcers. I also came across documentation that mentioned benefits for people with chronic gastrointestinal issues as well. The wheels in my head began to spin with this new possibility. The price of this honey has a wide range depending on its potency and ability to address chronic health problems. The UMF or unique manuka factor is the grading system that is used and ranges from 5+ upwards to 24+. Based on many reviews and research, I decided to purchase a jar that was umf 20+ and paid around $65 for it.
The day came when I woke up sick with a painful sore throat that wouldn’t allow me to sleep. As I lay in bed distracted by the pain in my throat, I remembered the honey! I took one teaspoon because too much can cause stomach upset. In less than ten minutes a very noticeable pain reduction was noticed, and I was quickly able to go back to sleep. I continued to use two to three teaspoons each day and felt noticeable relief. Since that experience I have been using Manuka honey anytime I’ve gotten sick because it gave me the results I had been searching for. I have also dodged antibiotic use multiple times from sinus infections because of this wonderful remedy. So many people take antibiotics unnecessarily, sometimes from an incorrect diagnosis as I’ve personally experienced. Antibiotics can save lives and have their definite purpose but can come with a heavy price tag in damaging the immune system.
When trying any new therapeutic supplement, it’s important to know that there are factors that can determine its effectiveness. I mention this because through the years I’ve experienced different results when trying the same therapy. I tolerate Manuka very well on an empty stomach but feel mild discomfort when it’s not. My preference is to not drink or eat anything for about twenty minutes to avoid diluting its effect. Make sure your current medications do not interfere with any type of natural therapy treatment to minimize negative interactions.
I want to give an honorable mention to garlic as an anti-viral and anti-bacterial therapy as well. Garlic cloves have numerous attractive properties including combating illness and lowering blood pressure. I consumed one clove each day during my first covid infection and noticed an improvement in my breathing, possibly because garlic is a bronchodilator. Both raw honey and garlic have a unique profile in the fact that they are antibiotic and prebiotic. This means they’re proven to attack harmful bacteria while providing food for friendly bacteria. They have separate bioactive compounds that specifically fight viruses and bacteria effectively since ancient times. Here is a link to a study of the medicinal effects of Manuka honey.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0188440914001106
After the discovery of Manuka honey and garlic cloves, I took a moment to consider the OTC remedies that are offered at local drug stores. Something that is blatantly obvious is that many of the popular options only mask the symptoms temporarily. Most cold and flu medicine do nothing to kill viruses or stop their replication. Also, some of these options have their own unhelpful side effects that can leave sick individuals feeling lethargic, nauseous, and even cause sleep issues. A natural option that can address irritating cold symptoms is therapeutic grade eucalyptus oil. Several store medications have a eucalyptus aroma but don’t possess the true effects of this unique plant. Using a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a hot shower will help significantly with headaches and congestion. OTC medications do help many bear the symptoms of illness and are not to be discredited for their use. I am encouraging my readers to consider the most effective actions that can prevent and directly attack pathogens that want to ruin your holiday season. I’m thankful for my personal holistic medicine cabinet that doesn’t replace a doctor, but provides helpful remedies. Wishing everyone a healthy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas!
