These Simple Tips Will Reduce Illness During Cold & Flu Season!

As the fall and winter months unfold, getting a cold or flu may feel unavoidable to you and your family. But rest assured, there are definitely some natural and simple tips to reduce illness during cold and flu season for you and the whole family. 

Vitamin D. 
Vitamin D is the number one prevention and treatment for illness as it is an amazingly effective antimicrobial agent, producing 200 to 300 different antimicrobial peptides in your body that kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. The best source for vitamin D is direct sunlight exposure, but isn't always available for many or practical during the winter. The next best thing to sunlight is the use of a safe indoor tanning device. If neither natural nor artificial sunlight is an option, then using oral supplements is your best bet.

Healthy food intake
The following foods are extremely beneficial for your overall health and strength of your immune system. Be sure to get a balanced amount of each.

-Fermented foods such as kefir, kimchee, miso, pickles, sauerkraut, etc.
-Raw, organic eggs from free-ranging chickens 
-Coconuts and coconut oil
-Locally grown fruits and vegetables
-Mushrooms, especially Reishi, Shiitake, and Maitake, which contain beta glucans (which have immune-enhancing properties)
-Garlic, a potent antimicrobial that kills bacteria, viruses AND fungi
-Herbs and spices with high ORAC scores: Turmeric, oregano, cinnamon, cloves 

Drink Water
Keeping hydrated allows the body to both function efficiently and to flush toxins and bacteria from your system. Water is essential for the optimal function of every system in your body.

Sleep
Make sure you are getting an adequate amount sleep. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, or enough restorative sleep, you’ll be at increased risk for a hostile viral takeover.

Steam
The body loves a chance to release stored toxins in the skin and other organs. Either create a good steaming shower and add our eucalyptus oil shower spray to the mix or do the same in a quality sauna or steam room.  This will also fight bronchial infections, respiratory struggles, improve circulation and alleviate pain from fibromyalgia and arthritis. 

At Eurospa, we are committed to your health and the health of the world around you.  Please take close care of your immune system this season and talk to us about our other products available for personal and spa use!

Kick that Soar Throat Fast With These Natural Home Remedies:

Soar throats tend to come at the worst time and you deserve to know how to feel better fast.  Below are some great natural home remedies that will help kick that soar throat fast! (If you've had a persistent soar throat accompanied by a fever or any other symptoms, be sure to see your doctor) 

Lemon & Cayenne Tea

This one is simple. Warm a mug of hot water and add the juice of 1/2 a lemon to it. Add honey, stevia or agave to taste, to balance the bitter with some sweet. Stay away from sugar to sweeten, as this will feed any potential infection and you are trying to get rid of it! Lastly, add about 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper to the mix for a spicy kick.  You can always add more if you like more spice, but add it little by little.  It builds up fast! The cayenne increases blood flow, reduces pain and strengthens the immune system. 

Wear a Scarf

Chinese medicine has long since advocated for the use of scarves.  The weather is changing. As the temps rise, fall and increasingly cool down, we want to make sure our necks and throats are protected from the elements.  Scarves are not only part of prevention, but also of speeding the healing process. 

Licorice Tea

Licorice tea has been a reliable source of relief for a long time. Don't be confused, this dependable herb is far from the candy you may know it to be. An often underestimated herb, licorice is quite potent and has been used to treat ailments from tendonitis and ulcers to HIV and fungal infections. With that said, it's not a surprise that this powerful herb can kill infection while offering quick (and delicious) soar throat relief!  Go to any store that sells tea and you are sure to find it easily!

Essential Oils 

If you have a burning and dry soar throat, it's likely you're comforted by colder water. Boost it's effect by adding a drop of medical/nutritional grade peppermint oil to your water bottle. It will cool you from the inside out, offering a great deal of relief. 

Steam Inhalation
This is definitely the most popular method that relieves sinus inflammation, clears nasal congestion and soothes respiratory blockages as well. For doing this, you need to fill a small tub or a large bowl to about 3/4th of its capacity with hot water. Next, add some eucalyptus oil, either a few drops or a few sprays of Eucalyptus Shower Mist, to the water. Now, bow your head above the tub/pot of fragrant water and drape a towel over your head to create a smaller space for the steam to be trapped in near your face. Keep your mouth closed and breathe in deep so that the eucalyptus essence-laden steam reaches deep inside the nose and the upper respiratory tract. This method is very effective in providing relief from inflammation of the sinuses and blood vessels inside the nasal cavity, soothing nasal congestion and sinus headache.

These short tips are sure to bring you a much more comfortable night and a faster road to recovery for your soar throat. Eurospa stands behind the quality of our products and we are happy to serve you. Let us know today how we can make your life healthier and better!