illness

12 October 2017

Prepare for Winter A Vogel Echinaforce Hot Drink for Cold & Flu
A couple of weeks ago, after coming home from our holiday in Majorca, I caught a cold. When I’m poorly I often supplement medicines with herbal remedies. I do this with colds because I’ve had some nasty experiences with cold & flu tablets available at the chemist. I’ve been known to trip out on that stuff so I avoid.

The general advice for treating colds is to drink plenty of water and keep warm. I’m not someone who drinks tea or coffee so I’ll usually resort to a hot chocolate or add hot water to cordial. I bought A Vogel Echinaforce Hot Drink when I visited Cariad Wholefoods because I liked the idea of having a natural alternative to Lemsip. Echinaforce Hot Drink is a concentrated solution containing fresh extracts of Echinacea herb (95%) and root (5%), and Elderberry juice. It doesn’t have a particularly strong flavour but I found the drink very pleasant. You can take pain relief medication alongside so I took paracetamol when required.

I’m hoping that I won’t get another cold this winter but if I do then I will happily take this hot drink. Even if it is just a placebo effect, I think it’s comforting and made me feel a little better in the short term. Making the drink up was a good excuse to walk away from my desk, put the kettle on and take a little time out.

Sarah x

17 July 2017

The Boost Box Company gifts for people facing illness or surgery
UPDATE 2021 - Sadly this company is no longer trading, an alternative suggestion for you is The Natural Gift Company

(Gifted/unpaid)

You may have seen me mention The Boost Box Company on my social media a few months back. They offer gifts for cancer patients and anyone who may be undergoing surgery or facing an illness. It's a wonderful concept because it can often be a struggle thinking of practical presents when people are facing side affects from illness and treatments.

Nadia, the founder is very kind, I previously chose to write about her company over social media because it speaks for itself and product reviews didn't feel necessary. Recently Nadia contacted me again after reading about my surgery and wanted to send me a box under no obligation to review, just as a thank you and to wish me a speedy recovery. I accepted because that first week of recovery was rough. I had no other experience for comparison so I was in the dark how hard it would hit me.

I received the Cup & Tea box which was beautifully presented in a sturdy gift box wrapped with a blue ribbon. Inside there was a soup mug (good size for soups or tea) golden turmeric honey, herbal tea from Joe's Tea Company and The Beginnings gingerbread. As someone who rarely drinks herbal teas I've drank a bucket load of mint green tea during recovery as I became super bored of water and squash. The huge mug is really great because from my experience getting up and down for drinks isn't easy so I always pick my biggest glass or mug. Turmeric and honey are healing ingredients so I appreciate the thought behind its inclusion in the box. 

I think I counted 20 box options on the site so something to suit most people and situations. Now I've been through recovery I can fully appreciate the service offered by The Boost Box Company and I recommend you visit their website.

Sarah x

4 July 2017

sugarpuffish phobias hospitals allergies
Phobias are a bitch, you have two voices sitting on your shoulders, one is rational but the other tells you to run as fast as you can. I can pin point the very moment my phobias were triggered, in a dentist chair I was refused my Mothers presence in the room and was held down whilst I cried. I was left with zero trust in medical professionals and as I grew up I became more and more wary and anxious.

9 October 2012

I think the whole of my Twitter timeline including me caught a cold last week. I thought I might share some tips on how I manage the germs as I rarely reach for Lemsip or Beecham.  In recent years off the shelf cold remedies have been making me feel a little fuzzy headed and I can't deal with that and going to work.

Sore Rudolph noses are best treated with a natural balm like Balmology.  Don't get out the Vaseline for reasons which I explain in another blog post. If you have to go to work and feel a plonker with a shiny nose I find applying a generous layer of balm overnight will often see me through to the next day and repairs damage from day before. Often breathing through your mouth dries out lips so have a natural lip salve to hand. My current favourites are Crazy Rumors Amaretto and Badger Balm Madagascar Vanilla. I do not purchase Balsam Tissues because I tried them once and ended up with my face covered in eczema. I very rarely have eczema on my face and I certainly didn't have any prior to using the tissues.

If I have a sore throat I've abandoned the Strepsils in favour of Ricola. These are Swiss Herb Drops that come in a variety of flavours.  They are suitable for vegetarians and do not contain artificial colours or flavours. You can find them in Supermarkets (in the same place as Strepsils) or at Holland & Barrett. Alternatively, a spoonful of honey will help coat a the throat and may ease symptoms.

Usually at the first sign of illness I start taking Echinacea.  It might not cure you but I am convinced it lessens the severity of my cold.  Studies into Echinacea have not drawn any firm conclusions about its effectiveness so  I guess it's a personal choice to take it. Echinacea is easy to find at Boots, Supermarkets and Holland & Barrett.

Stuffy noses can often be eased with Eucalyptus oil. You can add a few drops to a bowl of warm water, cover head with a towel over the bowl and take deep breaths or add drops to a tissue.  Most shops have Aromatherapy sections where you will find essential oils.  I also recommend Olbas Oil it's a family favourite and my Mum always used this on us when we were little.  I have also found aromatherapy benefits with my Mint Thé Refreshing Bath & Shower Therapy.  The peppermint helps open up a blocked nose whilst showering.

I see no reason to subject yourself to the vial taste of Lemsip.  Aside from the paracetamol I do not feel they offer any more benefit than having a hot drink. The key to any illness is taking in plenty of fluids.  It helps soothe a dry throat, replenish body fluids and flush out germs.  Taking paracetamol and having warm drinks in my opinion does the same job.

Remember to be a polite sick person.  Cover your mouth when you sneeze and cough.  Wash your hands regularly and throw away your snotty tissues into a bin. Please feel free to share any natural remedy tips of your own in the comment section below. 

Sarah x

Disclaimer - this post is not intended to replace medical advice, read medication labels carefully for guidance on correct doseage & allergy advice, *GWP from O.N.G

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