 Nature's
Way
with Alan Hayes
Nifty Natural Ideas for Winter
This time of the year we are besieged with ills and chills, and tend to feel out-of-sorts and a little run down. You can keep up the energy levels and help to keep cold and flu away with simple to make and use natural alternatives.
Garlic soup is a delicious and a great way of coping with the onslaught of winter ills and chills, and using the benefits of garlic to help strengthen the body's immune system. Garlic helps to prevent colds and expel catarrh from the chest, will sooth a nagging cough and relieves the symptoms of sinusitis.
To make your garlic soup, peel eight garlic cloves and put them in a covered saucepan with two large new potatoes, skins on, and cut into small chunks. Add three to four cups of water, one bay leaf, and cook for 15 minutes. Cool, then add a few sprigs of fresh sage and thyme, finely cut - sieve or blend. Season and reheat to serve.
Jojoba oil can be used as a gentle lotion to sooth and repair chapped lips and damaged skin due to inclement weather conditions. Apply a few drops directly onto the affected spot and gently rub in. Repeat as required.
Nasal congestion can be relieved by adding one or two drops each of rosemary, peppermint and lavender essential oil to a bowl of hot water and inhaling. Cover your head with a towel large enough to form a tent and to prevent steam from escaping. Keep your face about 30 centimetres from the hot water and inhale no longer than ten minutes.
The inhalation procedure should not be used more than three times a day, and people with heart and blood pressure problems, asthma or other breathing difficulties, broken skin or visible, dilated red veins should avoid steam inhalations, unless otherwise directed by their health practitioner.
For a portable inhalant, carry a tissue or handkerchief with you on which has been placed one drop each of the previous essential oils, and inhale deeply whenever possible.
When a sore throat persists, add four drops of tea tree oil to 25 millilitres of warm water and gargle two to three times a day.
The antiseptic qualities of lavender honey will also ease a sore throat and at the same time provide a delicious herbal treat. Gently warm a bottle of light honey in a double boiler, add one to two tablespoons of dried lavender flowers, and allow to infuse for two minutes. Remove from heat and let the honey stand in the hot sun for a few hours - a sunny windowsill away from ants and other creatures is ideal. Strain out the lavender flowers and bottle.
Serve on freshly baked bread or add a spoonful to a hot lemon drink and sip slowly.
To give you energy and a great start to the day, try this healthy breakfast alternative. Put one cup of wheat or oats in a vacuum flask, add four cups of boiling water about 12 hours before the time you want breakfast. Strain off in the morning and serve with honey, sultanas, raisins and seasonal fruit. Soak raisins and sultanas overnight, and add soaking water to the breakfast if you wish.
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