Pregnant in the winter months?? Or Just feeling susceptible to all the gunk out there?

COLD AND FLU OFTEN SNEAK UP ON US.

Especially when we get busy and hectic, or forget to take the time for self-care, we know we need.  In the 'dark' of winter, we are naturally slowing down and needing to keep our internal fire working well without as much sunlight and fresh foods.

Other times, we just artificially create winter. We choose less nutrient-rich foods and work late into the night. We stay indoors too much and forget the sun even exists. If this sounds like your life right now, read on for some tips to get you feeling better faster.

Some common 'herbs' to have around:

• Ginger

• Garlic

• Lemons, Limes and Oranges

• Turmeric

• Onions

• Apple Cider Vinegar

Notice that these are all foods as well. Adding them to your diet in the fall and early winter is the best prevention. Using food as medicine is the safest way to stay healthy in pregnancy. These power house ingredients are also easy and safe for any trimester in food quantities.

Turmeric, in higher doses (50mg or more daily), during the 1st trimester could cause uterine irritability and contractions. This could possibly lead to miscarriage or unwanted bleeding. Cramping in early pregnancy is not ideal as it can affect the placenta's ability to get a good foot hold.

SIMPLE RECIPES TO WARD OFF THE COLD AND FLU:

• Eat an orange at least 3 times a week (especially if its gloomy). This is like mini sunshine for your cells

• As is starts getting cold brew ginger tea nightly. If you feel a tickle in your throat or fog in your head…start immediately.

  1. Slice or grate 1 inch of ginger.

  2. Cover with 4 cups of water

  3. Simmer for 15-20 on low

  4. Drink 1-2 cups a day (reuse this ginger 2-3 times)

• Put lemon or lime in your water as soon as the nights get cool or when you naturally start slowing down

• Make Fire Cider (watch the calendar to join us for big batch each spring and fall)

How to use your food as medicine

In addition, onions and garlic can of course be eaten regularly. According to the folk doctors, onions, cut open and left on the counter, absorb floating germs from the air. Likely their high sulfur content and aroma entering your lungs helps activate natural bug fighters in your body. (The flip side of this remedy is you don’t want to eat a onion that's been left out, as is will transfer transfer those collected germs into your body). I usually leave the unused portion out on the counter for 1 or 2 days. When a family member is sick or it's flu season, this is a must.  Onions can be baked or sautéed to place over the ear during infections and on lungs to relive congestion if you missed the window of prevention.

Use a 1/2 teaspoon of Garlic finely chopped on spoonful of honey 2-3 times a day for lung or sinus infections.  A quick and easy immune booster and a great flu fighter (if you can stomach it) at the first signs of illness.

Apple Cider vinegar is a natural probiotic and alkalinizer of the body. Take a tablespoon in 6-8 oz of water with a teaspoon of honey and a squirt of lemon to help keep you in balance any time, but especially when you are feeling run down or fatigued.

Another great remedy that can be used to sooth and calm when the weather is dry and irritating is Marshmallow root or leaf. We here in Texas have a relative, native Red Spiral Mallow. Her delicious flowers can be eaten in salads or straight from the stalk. These mallows will flower in the right conditions well into December.

Endless foods have healing properties and even more herbs can helps us fortify our systems for good health all year. Consequently, choosing what's best when can feel a little daunting, especially if YOU are sick. 

I'm available for quick questions most days of the week if you run into something that needs an herbalist perspective.