Whatever your favorite Christmas treats, too much of a good tasting thing can result in bloating, upset, nausea or even achy joints and headaches. It is no accident that cold, cough, and flu season seems to arrive with the wreaths and Christmas trees. There are a few natural things that are easy to get ahold of quickly to help.
Ginger is a natural stomach remedy. It calms nausea and reduces inflammation. It can help for pregnancy, over-eating, or stomach flu. Use fresh grated ginger in a hot water to make a tea. There are also ginger candies (such as Chimes) that have real ginger, as well as a small amount of sugar.
Peppermint tea can also give digestive help. Don’t lie down after drinking peppermint tea. The peppermint opens up the stomach sphincter muscle, which helps digestion, but can cause some reflux if the body doesn’t stay upright.
Sugar, alcohol, flour, and processed foods alter stomach acid. They prevent digestion because food needs high acid to break down. The partially digested foods and chemicals (preservatives and pesticides, for example) then disrupt the health flora and microbes that line the digestive tract and are part of the immunes system.
Apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice, 1-2 Tbls diluted in a cup of water, can help restore acid. It is also a way to diminish cold and flu symptoms and may assist in a speedier recovery. A touch of honey, stevia, or monk fruit can be added to taste.
There are homeopathic remedies to keep on hand. Gasilia helps with bloating and gas. Rhinallergy is a wonder if overindulgence triggers congestion, or for sleep if your nose gets stuffy at night or you have post-nasal drip. Nux Vomica 6c helps for over-indulgence in food or alcohol. Oscillococcinum is useful to keep on hand for the first sign of a cold or flu.
Extra probiotics will support the immune system by bolstering the gut flora and healthy bacteria that guard the intestinal walls.
There are many Standard Process and Mediherb products that can make the Holidays merrier. Zypan, Enzycore, Betaine HCL, Digest Forte and Multizyme are wonder for digestion.
Prosymbiotic , Lact Enz, and Zymex will help keep gut flora happy. Happy gut bugs mean a healthier life.
Congaplex, Thymex, Andographis, and Immuplex can be used when immunity is under attack. I suggest taking 1-2 tablets or capsules every day during the cold and flu season to ward off illness. Far safer and more effective than a flu shot. The whole family can stay healthy through the winter this way. Many patients who do this report that they stay healthy even when everyone else around them is sick.
Livton, Livco, and Livaplex will help the liver and gall bladder to process rich food and Holiday libations.
Feel free to text, call, or email me if you find yourself fighting something. It is hard to be merry if your nose glows like Rudolph’s.
My goal is to help you make 2020 your healthiest year ever! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. Whatever you believe, if we believe in each other, what binds us will always be stronger than what divides us. We can always make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others.
Want a good laugh about Holiday Weight Loss struggles? Catch this episode of “Rachel” with Kirstie Alley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLDgqm5jxeA