Best At Home Remedies for Recovering from COVID and Flu
Best At Home Remedies for Recovering from COVID and Flu In summary of our article series on cold and flu symptom management at home, we are going to finish with talking about what to do with the after effects of COVID or flu infections. Long term COVID symptoms can linger for a long time and can be very unpleasant to live with. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, keep reading for more tips on how to feel better at home. Earache, Hearing Loss, or Vertigo Often times, ear ache and hearing loss can result from an infection in the throat, such as Strep throat. As the throat is inflamed and filled with exudate, that infection can spread via the Eustachian tubes into the inner ear. The Eustachian tubes are canals formed from the nose to the inner ear. The nose opens to the throat as well, so this is a pathway that infection can easily spread. The purpose of our Eustachian tubes is to equilibrate pressure in our ear. This is the same sensation when flying at altitude and why we feel the need to “pop our ears”. Exudate can fill up the canals in the Eustachian tubes and make it difficult for the Eustachian tube to open and close properly. It can feel like hearing is poor and sufferers often feel like they are hearing underwater. The inner ear also contains the vestibular system, which helps us to maintain balance and senses where we are in space, vertigo can be a common etiology after there has been a throat or ear infection. If you are experiencing vertigo, you can perform the Epley Maneuver at home. This is a great video to show you how. This podcast, Talk Dizzy To Me, is hosted by a vestibular physical therapist can help you understand the mechanism better. If you do the Epley Maneuver, make sure you have a trash can nearby. Tao to Wellness can help a great deal to manage hearing loss and vertigo, so if you are experiencing any of these symptoms and no longer are infected with COVID, please make an appointment in our office. Body Aches & Pain Joint and muscle pain accompanied by an aching sensation is a hallmark symptom of post COVID recovery. It can be debilitating and it is often accompanied by fatigue and brain fog. This is a typical symptom that can occur after vaccination as well, it’s usually temporary and can be managed at home. Often times, body aches and pains can result from not getting enough potassium. Good sources of potassium include bananas, coconut water, celery, apricots, potatoes, winter squashes (butternut, acorn, kabocha). Epsom Salt Baths are probably the best way to manage body aches and muscle pain. Often times, body aches are the muscles signal that they are low in magnesium. Muscles need magnesium to be able to relax! Epsom baths contain magnesium sulfate which dissolves easily in water and can provide a lot of relief. Begin by filling your bathtub with warm water and dissolve 1 full cup of Epsom salts into the bath water. You can also add your own essential oils if you like, like eucalyptus, frankincense, peppermint or sweet orange oil. A sauna bath prior to an Epsom salt bath can be helpful as well to sooth muscle pain and soreness, circulate blood, and release built up lactic acid in the muscles. Gua Sha is another great tool, and I often recommend it for patients with fibromyalgia. While it is more popular in the beauty industry currently, traditionally gua sha has been used for muscle pain and fascial adhesions. We also can do gua sha in the office, but you can do it at home as well. Here is a video for gua sha on the neck and upper back, and it is a good tutorial on how you can do gua sha at home. Keep in mind your skin will be bright red afterwards, which usually fades after a couple of days. Fever Fever is a typical symptom that happens during the initial onset of an illness such as COVID or flu. If you are feeling feverish and you are looking for relief, you can try cupping at home. It is a good idea to get someone to help you with this. Follow the spine of your neck downwards until you feel a large bone, where it meets your upper back. This is C7, and on its border to T1 is a really, really good point for reducing fevers. Place a cup over it and apply suction, and allow it to sit for 5-7 minutes, then remove. Do not leave it on longer than that or it can cause blisters. You can also just cup the entire back, this will help if you have cough or congestion. Juicing is another great way to clear inflammation from the system. Cilantro, mint, celery, cucumber, watercress, watermelon are all cooling and can help bring body temperature down. I also like to drink a tea of dried honeysuckle and dried chrysanthemum flowers when suffering from any kind of flu like infection. These two herbs work really well together in combating flu like symptoms on the onset of an upper respiratory infection. If you try these techniques and your fever does not go down, please consult with a physician right away. Diet Don’t eat sugar, avoid dairy, gluten, and greasy foods. Eat lots of warm, soupy broths. Keep some fresh ginger, garlic, and oranges so you can grate them into your food and teas. Eat lots of vegetables. So the moral of this story is – don’t wait to get treated or tested. I waited b/c I didn’t want to infect my doctor in case I had COVID, but the truth is, I had a bacterial infection that got worse b/c I didn’t treat it in a timely manner. Some infections such as streptococcus infections can spread to the heart, to
Everything You Need to Know About Sauna Therapy
Everything You Need to Know About Sauna Therapy Written by Emily Edmonds We’re continuing this series on cold and flu symptom relief as we continue to experience this difficult season of respiratory infections that are rampant right now. The rainy weather is doing more to keep us all indoors, which increases the risk of exposure to illness. If you’re experiencing a cold, the flu or COVID and you are looking for relief until you can come out of quarantine, this article is for you. If you are healthy and you want to learn more about how to enhance your immune system, this article is also for you. Please note that this article is not a substitute for medical advice, nor is it intended to replace medical advice regarding vaccinations or medications. This article is intended for wellness and well-being and as a supplement to medical interventions. Sauna Therapy Sauna therapy has been in existence for thousands of years, across many different cultures around the world. The ancient Romans used sauna therapy followed by cold plunge on a regular basis to strengthen their soldiers and for injury recovery. The ancient Romans left this tradition behind for others to follow. After the Turks conquered Constantinople in 1453, they adopted this Roman tradition learned from the Byzantines called the Hammam (and if you’ve never tried it, you’re in for a treat!). The Russians have a sauna culture as well called the “banya” which translates to “bath”. The Japanese also have a sauna and bathing culture as well. Scandinavian cultures have been practicing sauna therapy since the time of the Vikings. Sweat is one of the pathways through which our bodies move toxins out of the body. Sauna therapy relaxes the muscles and assists with their recovery, increases blood circulation, induces sweating, increases growth hormone, and strengthens the immune response via improving white blood cell count, lymphocytes, neutrophils and basophils. It also improves sleep, reduces joint pain, improve lymph drainage and improves skin health. Sauna therapy is one of the best wellness tools in my toolbox for chills and body aches that occur during a cold or flu virus. There are several different types of saunas, and it can get confusing which one is best to try and when. Most of the sauna that we will be focusing on are the dry saunas. Here are some of the different types and some guidelines to each. First, let us go over some pre-cautions to sauna therapy. Pre-cautions to Sauna Therapy: Please consult with your physician prior to starting sauna therapy. I would recommend caution for the following conditions: Pregnant or trying to conceive – avoid Heart Disease or High Blood Pressure – consult with your physician prior to sauna therapy Atrial Fibrillation – avoid Low Blood Pressure – avoid or use with caution, consult with a physician Anemia – avoid or use with caution, consult with a physician After COVID or Flu vaccination – wait two weeks after your last dose before doing sauna therapy Sauna Types: Finnish Sauna This is the most traditional type available, and usually involves a heater or wood stove and uses radiant heat. You will also find a wooden bucket of water with a ladle in it and some hot rocks on top of the heater that you can use to produce steam for a wet bath type experience and to make the sauna hotter. While I really like these saunas, they can be too overwhelming for people who are sensitive to heat and take a long time to get used to! If you use these saunas, it is super important to be hydrated prior to going in and afterward. FAR Infrared Sauna I prefer using these types b/c the heat isn’t as intense as the traditional Finnish dry sauna. These types of saunas use FAR Infrared heat, which operates at a different wavelength than radiant heat. The FAR infrared heat penetrates the skin deeper and is better for deep muscle aches or joint pain. They are also easier to use and set up, you can buy infrared saunas for indoor use without the need for additional ventilation. I have found that with the FAR infrared sauna that it takes a little longer for sweating to begin, but with the same amount of sweating as the Finnish Sauna. If you have trouble with the heat and you want to try sauna therapy, this would probably be the best type to start with. Wet Sauna or Steam Sauna These types of saunas are also called Steam rooms. These saunas use steam primarily and do not get as hot as the dry saunas. It’s a bit hard to tell while in a steam sauna if there is more sweating that is occurring or condensation from the humidity of the steam. So for this reason, I often use a steam sauna after a dry sauna session. Nonetheless, steam saunas can be excellent for chronic respiratory conditions post COVID and flu. Steam saunas can also be good for those who struggle with the dry heat of dry sauna therapy. If you don’t have access to a steam sauna, you can substitute by using a humidifier or a bowl of hot water and putting your face over it while inhaling the steam. I also like to use a drop or two of eucalyptus and tea tree oil in the water. Sauna Procedure My sauna process is something I consider to be sacred. I have developed it over the last ten years into a ritual that I began to practice years ago and have refined it over time. It’s hard to explain the feeling of getting a sauna bath instead of simply taking a shower or water bath daily. It’s a much deeper, cleaner experience than what happens on the surface of the skin when we take a shower. My sauna ritual consists of the following: First, I drink a liter of water with an electrolyte tablets, or, a
Two Effective Ways to Solve Nasal Congestion
Two Effective Ways to Solve Nasal Congestion Written by Emily Edmonds Nasal congestion is all too common. And with winter upon us and the increased risk of sickness all around, it’s important to manage the entire area. Here’s a few ways to do just that. Oil Pulling Oil pulling is a method that has been utilized for thousands of years in India as a way of promoting health, clearing the sinus and nasal pathways, improving dental and gum health and even aiding digestion. I mentioned last week that I had a problem with my ear canal. Specifically, this is the Eustachian tube within the ear. The Eustachian tube is a canal that links your nasal canal to your ear canal underneath the maxillary sinus. The purpose and function of the Eustachian tubes is to equilibriate air pressure to prevent the eardrum from collapsing. It also functions as something of a drain for the inner ear as well. When it is blocked with congestion from the nose, this is a pathway for infections to develop as well. When it gets blocked, it can cause pain in the ear, hearing loss, and even vertigo. It is very common in cold and flu cases to have a lot of nasal congestion and oil pulling is a good way to draw the congestion out of the sinuses, and indirectly, the ear canal as well. The two ingredients are coconut oil and sesame oil. The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil have anti-microbial properties and the sesame oil has antibacterial properties as well. It’s a good idea to start in the morning before eating or drinking. The method is very simple. You take a half spoonful of raw coconut oil and a half spoonful of sesame oil. Put it in your mouth and allow the coconut oil melt. Swish it around your mouth, like a mouthwash, for 10-20 minutes. When you are done, spit out into a trash can. You will be amazed how much comes out! Rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth afterwards. You want to purchase organic, extra virgin coconut oil. It should be solid and white. You also want to get good quality sesame oil as well. You can find both at most grocery stores these days. Neti-pot The Neti-pot a more direct way of clearing the sinuses and nasal pathways. The Neti-pot is a small pot with a large spout on it which is filled with salt water. It is inserted into the nose with the head tilted in the direction of the nostril being filled over a sink so the water can come out of the nostril on the other side. Repeat on the other side and do this in the morning. It is important with the neti-pot to use as directed. Use only distilled water with the salt-pods provided. I don’t recommend that you use anything else in the neti-pot! Do not use tap water or filter water, as the pH of these can attract potential pathogens that are dangerous if accessed directly into the nasal pathways. To clean the netipot, I boil about 1 cup of distilled water and I pour it into the neti-pot with a cap full of hydrogen peroxide. I let it cool before pouring out, rinsing with boiling hot water and letting it dry. It’s very important to keep it clean and not risk any contamination to the neti-pot! In recent years, I am noticing more doctors are suggesting the neti-pot. In the past, it was considered a “no no” b/c of the risk of microbial infection from an amoeba called Naegleria Fowleri. But these risks are really low with the neti-pot, especially if you are using them correctly – with distilled water and salt. So while I still don’t recommend it as a first resort, many people do experience a lot of relief using the neti-pot. But I was really surprised with both my primary doctor with my ENT even strongly recommended using the neti-pot. I asked them about the risk of infection, including the amoeba but they said the risks are really low and now they are recommending it. So now, I’m changing my attitude about the neti-pot and recommend it. There’s also Navage! There’s also a device called the Navage which I’ve heard is good as well. It’s quite a bit more expensive than the neti-pot but it is mechanical and it’s easier to clean, I believe. However, it is made of plastic, which I like to avoid if possible. I have no personal experience with this, but if you do please feel free to share with us if you liked it or not. What are some of your experiences with nasal and sinus congestion? What kinds of things have you tried at home? Please feel free to reach out to us and let us know. We would love to hear your feedback. Also, if you suffer from chronic nasal congestion and sinus pain and need a little extra help, please schedule an appointment with us.
A Quick Fix for a Sore or Congested Throat!
A Quick Fix for a Sore or Congested Throat! It has been a very difficult season so far for infections. COVID cases are on the rise, as are the flu, RSV and strep throat. If you find yourself with strep throat, you will be sent home with antibiotics and put on bed rest. If you find yourself with the flu or COVID, you will be put on bed rest and waiting for recovery. And unfortunately, we won’t be able to treat you in the office until you get better! So what can you do at home to accelerate your healing and get some relief? Here’s a little story….. I had an unfortunate case of strep throat while I was away from the office post Thanksgiving. I wasn’t able to swallow for two days and, unfortunately, the infection spread to my ear and I wasn’t able to hear for a few weeks. I took dozens of COVID at home tests all of them were negative. But I felt like someone took a Brillo pad to my throat. I went in to the doctor got a positive strep test and was sent home with antibiotics and was told I would feel better in 2 days. Unfortunately, I still felt sick. Western medicine had done its job, I had followed its path and now the path was at an end. I had the tools I needed to give myself some relief, and I wanted to do whatever I could to get better and the determination to see it through. So, I decided to write this story so I could share with you some tools and some products that can give you some relief while you are getting better. This is going to be part of a series where I will discuss various techniques and at home treatments that you can try to give you some relief. Please note that none of this is a substitute for an MD so please consult your MD if you have questions. How Do I Get Rid of a Sore or Congested Throat Quick? Watermelon Frost This product is awesome! You can use it for a sore throat, for oral ulcers, canker sores, even chronic bad breath. It’s very fascinating the way that it is made. It’s made is by placing watermelon with some salt into clay, earthenware jars. They allow them to sit for a period of time and, on the outside of the jars there is a white substance that is scraped off called “frost”. I managed to find this fascinating video on how it is made from seed to bottle. In this video, he makes it with the watermelon fruit but traditionally it is made with the rind as well. It is often combined with some other Chinese Herbs and made into a powder. The way you use it is you puff it into your mouth. Ever used dry shampoo on your hair? It’s kinda like that, for your mouth. What I did was puff it into the back of my throat, on my tonsils. It feels very refreshing, cooling and moisturizing. It gave me instant relief! It tasted terrible, but who cares? It made me feel better, when western medicine failed to give me any relief. To use on a sore throat, look into a mirror. It’s helpful if you have a flashlight and a tongue depressor handy. Open your mouth and say “Ah!” and gently puff the watermelon frost a couple of times onto your tonsils (those large circular glands in the back of your throat). Make sure that the bottle is relatively upright when you do that, b/c if its upside down it won’t come out. To use on a canker sore, apply about a pea sized amount to your palm and apply directly to your canker sore. You can order watermelon frost on amazon. Gargling with Salt Water or Apple Cider Vinegar This helps more if you have a lot of congestion on the throat than if you throat feels raw and dry. If your throat feels raw and dry, I would recommend the Watermelon Frost. This method is pretty simple. Combine a cup of warm water and 1 tbsp of salt, or warm water and 2 tbsp of vinegar and gargle for a few minutes. You can get a little creative and make some mint tea or throat coat tea and do this method as well. Gargle for 5-10 minutes. By the way, Little Apple Treats makes a fire cider vinegar that is awesome. Aside from making amazing vinaigrettes and marinades, it’s really helpful for colds and flus. It has ginger, turmeric, horseradish, and chili peppers which will also accelerate your healing. A chiropractor told me that he recommends gargling with warm water and fire cider vinegar as a prevention measure when exposed to infected individuals. All of their products are great and they make their vinegar with organic Gravenstein apples. Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Winter Solstice Mushroom Soup
Winter Solstice Mushroom Soup We are entering the solstice starting next week. The days have been getting shorter and the nights have been getting longer, and it is hard not to notice how cold it is outside! Winter is the season of yin, when we need to consolidate our energy. It is a time to slow down and sleep more, spend more time at home, preparing meals from home. This time of year, it is important to eat foods that are slow cooked, braised, fermented, and brewed. Our digestive systems are most capable of absorbing nutrients with foods that are long and slow cooked in the winter time. One of the best ways to encourage healthy digestion in the winter is to eat soup! Soup is easy to make and it is very delicious and satisfying on those chilly winter nights. I made this recipe over the weekend and it was absolutely delicious! Mushrooms are rich in Vitamin D, which we need more of in the winter. Dill encourages circulation, which helps our bodies to stay warm. You can use whatever kind of broth you like, I like bone broth b/c it has a lot of minerals and nutrients that are especially beneficial in the winter. This soup is a great way to warm the yang and escape the chill! Serves: 4 Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 30 min Ingredients: 1 lb baby Bella mushrooms, sliced 1 lb Shiitake mushrooms, sliced 1 onion diced finely 3 tbsp olive oil 2 cups vegetable broth or beef bone broth 1/2 cup vodka or brandy 2 tsp dried dill 1 tsp caraway seeds 3 sprigs fresh thyme 2 tsp paprika 2 tbsp chickpea miso (or regular miso) 1 tbsp arrowroot or corn starch 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup fresh dill 1/4 cup dairy free sour cream (such as kite-hill) – optional In a heavy pot, sauteé onions and mushrooms in olive oil until translucent and tender, and allow mushrooms to release liquids, for about 15 minutes. Add vodka or brandy to deglaze. Add dill, caraway seed, thyme, paprika, and vegetable or beef broth and turn the heat to high to allow the soup to simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low. Allow to cook for about 30 minutes. Whisk arrowroot or cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water until smooth. Add to the soup mixture until it begins to thicken. Remove lid and add dairy free sour cream and allow it to melt. Garnish with fresh dill and serve warm!
