Natural remedies for those winter ills

So you all probably remember when I had pneumonia back in November.

At the time, the doctor told me that it was probably caused by my sick students coughing on me when I already had an allergic rhinitis. Darn seasonal allergies.

Well, in a perfect world, sick children stay home and don't infect and reinfect their teacher.

Alas, parents have to go to work, and children come to school sick. It's kind of a dead giveaway when they come to school all perky and then suddenly droop 4 hours later when the Tylenol Cough meds wears off and the fever and cough kick back in.

So what's a teacher to do if she wants to be able to function?

Believe me, you never realize how much energy it takes to keep 27 darlings learning until you don't have the energy to do it!

I have a love/hate relationship with medicines. Although I do appreciate what they do for us, I react badly and usually have to take either a kid's dose or half the adult dose. Not as effective, but at least I don't feel like I need to unzip my skin and crawl out.

I have to admit, I don't usually fall victim to the bugs going around the room. 20+ years builds a lot of immunity.

 Coughs have always been my Achilles heel, and this  year, my perennial coughers have gotten to me.

So I've been searching out natural remedies. Today I'm going to share my two favorites and ask for any of yours.

#1 - I know this has been around awhile and isn't totally "natural" but it's awesome!
One of the kindergarten aides mentioned to me that her school nurse used to keep a huge box on hand and dispense to all the adults who came in sick.

I had my daughter pick some up. First I tried the Pina Colada flavor. Yum! The Meyer lemon (shoutout to MaryJane) was also delicious. But I settled on the Cranberry Hibiscus when I bought the big box. The flavor reminds me of the punches my mother used to make for parties. All the vitamins and minerals actually make me feel like I have a fighting chance of making it til spring!

#2 - Ginger

I'll admit, fresh ginger always kind of scared me. I wasn't exactly sure how to pick it out or what to do with it.

But in my desperation for something to help the endless drip, I saw a recipe for ginger tea that promised great results.

I overcame my fears :) and bought some ginger. Just a little piece at first.

I peeled it, sliced it, and boiled it for ten minutes. Then I drained it, let it cool a bit, and drank the liquid. Can I say MIRACLE? By the next morning, I felt so much better!

Here's where I admit that I never actually liked the taste of ginger in anything but cookies. But fresh ginger - that I really like!

If you're less a fan, you can add some honey or lemon.

You're supposed to drink the liquid three times a day.









So what do you do when the dreaded winter bugs strike? Head to the medicine cabinet or the kitchen cabinet? Drugstore or grocery store?

Let's share some ideas.