Sniffles, Sneezes and Sore Throats…Oh My!

Cold and flu season is upon us yet again and while we at Twisted Bodies work hard to keep your bodies fit and strong there are still those sneaky germs out there just lingering around waiting for you to unknowingly pick them up. You're going to get that tickle in your throat or that sniffly nose and once you do it's time for action! The sooner your put your germ warfare plan of attack into action the better.

Many of you know Khristen as the Twisted Bodies witch doctor. She as well as Carissa much prefer natural remedies to those chemical concoctions that often leave you feeling fuzzy headed. So here are a few of our favorite remedies for this time of year…

Sore throat? Mix one tablespoon of honey with 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. This mixture will coat the throat and help to open your nasal passages.

Congestion? Mix 3 drops of eucalyptus oil into a vaporizer or in a hot shower to help open your sinuses. Stay hydrated with warm liquids!

Headache? There are several essential oils that can be applied to your temples depending on the scent you prefer - lavender, peppermint or basil (basil is also a muscle relaxer). A good ol' kick of caffeine is also helpful so brew up a cup of coffee and enjoy a side of chocolate.

Nausea? Try replacing your saltine crackers with gingersnaps or ginger lozenges. If you typically purchase ginger ale try the all natural ales as they contain more ginger and less sugar. Ginger is also great for morning sickness and motion sickness.

Rash? Draw a warm bath and add tea bags and even a few drops of coconut oil. Relax and soak. Also helps alleviate poison ivy and poison oak.

Year round staples in our homes…

Chai Tea is a black tea blended with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, star anise, nutmeg and ginger. The spice blends found in this tea help to alleviate many of the symptoms from sore throats, nausea, gas, menstrual cramps, heartburn and even aid in digestion.

Coconut Oil is a natural anti-fungal and digestive aid among many other things. In our homes we keep a jar to cook with and a jar for topical use. Topical uses in our homes include eczema/dry skin, dandruff, make-up remover, lice, athletes foot and yeast infections. We also use it as a cooking oil for stir fry dishes and will incorporate a teaspoon of it into our tea for tummy troubles and help to combat urinary tract infections.

Oregano Oil has natural anti-biotic properties and helps to protect you from internal parasites. It can be used effectively for bladder infections, sinus infections and cold sores.

Witch Hazel is used in our homes as a topical astringent for cuts, scrapes, sunburns and bug bites. It can also be used as a toner for your face to clear up acne and shrink pores. Try it on those pole bruises and silk burns as it helps to shrink broken capillaries.

Tea Tree Oil is used to clean our studio equipment on a daily basis. Because of it's natural antiseptic and anti-fungal properties it's a perfect non-chemical cleaning agent for the home. It also gets rid of those pesky zits and blemishes overnight!

***Please keep in mind that we are personal trainers NOT doctors. Just like over the counter drugs, herbal remedies can have side effects, allergic reactions and complications when taken with other drugs/remedies. These are remedies that we use in our own homes but may not be suitable for you.***