12 Days of Xmas - Day 11 - Dealing with a cold!
Saturday, January 3rd 2009 @ 5:54 PM
Day 11
This time of year is notorious for runny noses, coughs, flu and generally feeling pretty “bunged up”!
There are certain foods, which encourage persistent mucus formation in many susceptible people, so avoid milk, cheese, cream, and ice cream during this time, but especially if you have a cold! Other dietary-related causes of congestion include excess sugar and sweets in the diet, eating too much or too large a meal late at night, too much bread, pastries and yeast-based foods (especially when there’s an underlying yeast infection or wheat/gluten/grain intolerance), too much fried food and drinking too much alcohol – particularly beer and wine.
Feast on the following “anti-mucus foods”…
Fresh lemon, chopped fresh ginger root (amazing at releasing and clearing mucus) lots of green leafy vegetables, ground cinnamon and ground ginger (which help “dry” excess mucus), chilli (fresh or ground), black pepper, cumin, fenugreek and other spices. Eat warm and light foods such as vegetable soups, a big raw salad, and drink hot herb leaf teas – with your lemon and ginger!
Try the following homemade tea and sip throughout the day…
Chop an inch or so of fresh root ginger, discarding any peel as necessary. Put in a mug or teapot, with ½ tsp of organic fennel seeds, and a slice of fresh lemon. Fill the mug or pot with hot water, and let steep for 2-3 minutes for a delicious warming, immune-boosting tea!
