Sick of Winter: How to Avoid and Quickly Recover from Winter Illnesses

The Israeli winter isn't truly a winter. Nevertheless, we can tell it's here by the winter illnesses it brings along. Sure, occasionally it's fun to spend a morning under a cozy blanket. However, it's better to do it while healthy, not when burning with fever. How can we ensure this? Simply start treating illnesses naturally as soon as they begin. This way, you might end up shaking off the illness within a few hours. More than that, during these hours when you feel unwell, you can still function normally. Yet, above all, it's important to stress that all the aforementioned doesn't mean you shouldn't see a doctor. On the contrary.

Home Remedies: Not everyone is up for grating roots and brewing herbs in the kitchen. Not that it's bad; on the contrary, it's excellent and also cheap. But not everyone has the time to constantly buy fresh ingredients and brew remedies from them. For this reason, there are many excellent products in pharmacies and natural stores that can be purchased.

Preventive Measures: Imagine you start getting sick on a Friday afternoon when the pharmacy is already closed. This means that until Sunday morning, you could be very ill, G-d forbid. You might have to dedicate a week to the illness, and at the end of that week, you'll be so exhausted that you'll need a few more days to recover completely. Therefore, at the beginning of winter, you should stock up on all the vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies that will help you get through the winter safely.

Sore Throat: Those who suffer from sore throats know how to recognize the feeling as soon as it starts. If you treat it within the first hour or two, you can get rid of the "pleasure" within a few hours. Hence, it's advisable to always have a propolis lozenge with you in your bag. The propolis will treat the pain and inflammation locally. Take one lozenge every two hours until the pain disappears. If the sore throat starts in the middle of the night, don't be lazy. Get up from your bed and take a lozenge. It's worth the effort. Besides, make sure the lozenge tastes good. That way, you and the kids will take it easily, and it won't leave an unpleasant aftertaste.

(Photo: shutterstock)

Cold: The aim is to get the fluids out rather than dry them up inside the body. Therefore, it's good to use Chinese mint oil. Apply a single drop under each nostril. Within seconds, your eyes will fill with tears. It won't be pleasant. But once everything comes out, you'll be able to sleep excellently. When it comes to kids and infants, it's better to use saline solution, which also works wonderfully.

Earache: There are many natural methods for treating earaches. I recommend one of the most successful methods here. Take a teaspoon of olive oil and place it over the gas flame. Warm the oil slightly. Place your finger to test if the oil is warm but not hot. Add one drop of lavender essential oil, which will soothe the pain, and one drop of tea tree essential oil, which will disinfect the ear. Use a baby swab (as its cotton is the thickest) to absorb the oil. Then, place the warm swab in your ear. The warm sensation is very soothing and calming. Next, soak the other side of the swab in the spoon with the oils, peel the cotton from the swab, and leave it in the ear. You can repeat the process every few hours until the issue is resolved. This method works excellently for adults, children, and infants.

Probiotics: Probiotic capsules contain friendly bacteria similar to those in yogurt, but in the billions. For anyone who feels uncomfortable swallowing a capsule containing bacteria, know that bacteria are your body's best friends. Our intestines are home to an immense number of bacteria. They participate in numerous bodily processes and, among others, strengthen the immune system. So much so that without bacteria, life is impossible. So those who like to stay sterile, be aware that your body doesn’t agree with you on this. Those who get sick even in summer should take one probiotic capsule every day of the year for prevention. Those who get sick often during the winter should take a probiotic capsule starting right after Simchat Torah until bedikat chametz. Others can begin taking probiotics when the illness breaks out. Probiotics can be taken from birth, and in preterm infants, they can save lives. Note, each age has its strains of bacteria that are good for its intestines. For infants, it's recommended to choose a tasty probiotic powder so they won't resist. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of probiotic powder with breast milk.

Vitamin C: When you're ill, you can't rely solely on the vitamin C in citrus fruits. You need much more than that. It's important to know that there is acidic vitamin C that absorbs excellently, but it's not suitable for those who suffer from excess acidity in the stomach. These individuals can take basic vitamin C. There is also time-release vitamin C that absorbs throughout the day, which is the best.

Wishing you a healthy winter season!

Want to learn more? Purchase the "Grow Healthy" lesson series taught by naturopath Sarah Bar Asher at the "Jewish Campus" of Hidabroot.

Sarah Bar Asher is a naturopath and lecturer on nutrition and the food industry. Barasher@zahav.net.il