Our weather is becoming cooler and wetter lately. As we move into the fall season, I’ve noticed sniffles and coughs cropping up. Most of us push through these bodily inconveniences, as much of the time they are short colds and resolve within a week. There are also many things we can do to support our bodies during this transition, and reduce and prevent mild illness!
Now is the time to find a sweatshirt or light jacket and hang it near the door. Keeping warm helps your body stay well! If it’s windy or cool, covering your ears with a hat or headband will keep you toasty.
Bring on the pumpkin spice! There is much more than flavor going on with these warming spices! Cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom, and black pepper warm your body from the inside out. Find the combination you like best and bring it into your food and drinks. A little goes a long way. Don’t like the flavor in coffee or tea? Make muffins with apples and cinnamon, apple crisp, or pumpkin bread.
Herbs are also helpful when you have a cough or congestion. Pick some of that thyme from your summer garden and make tea with it! The flavor is lovely and you can add a little lemon and honey if you like. Or get a small jar of honey and put some thyme in it, stems and all! Place in a sunny window for a week and taste for strength. You can now take out or leave in the thyme. Use the honey in tea or eat a small spoonful for coughs and sore throats.
Be well and enjoy the season!
