Yes, I’m still procrastinating the epic post about Steemfest with all the pics and stories and tagging everyone. I have a good excuse, though. I’m sorta sick.

I’m not the only one whose recovery from Poland is drawing out, but I’m actually not feeling that rough, all things considered. I attribute this to having healthy home remedies on stock. Figured I’d share my approach.

Obviously, I’m not a doctor, just a woman who listens to her body and will always try natural medicine before turning to pharmaceuticals. This is not medical advice. You do you.

For me, I believe the body is the best healer, especially when given the tools it needs. Here are some things I use to get healthy and stay healthy.

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Home Remedies to Boost the Immune System

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• Bone broth

This is one of the most important, to me. In a stock pot, put a bunch of filtered water and the bones from a chicken (or turkey, or beef bones, or whatever you’ve got) with a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to draw out the minerals from the bones. After letting that soak for 30 min, add carrots, onions, celery, fresh ground pepper, and whatever spices you want, as well as any scraps you have like kale stems. Don’t add salt—do that at the end to taste. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 12-24 hours, longer if beef bones.

You can look up more detailed recipes online, but this is how I make mine. Drink it with sea salt and butter, or use as a base for a soup.

• Probiotics

When your body has enough good bacteria it can fight the bad ones on its own. I take probiotic supplements every day, plus eat fermented foods like kimchee, sauerkraut, and yogurt, though I tend to go easy on dairy when I’m sick as it can create more mucus. I up the number of probiotic supplements I take when I'm under the weather.

• Water, and Vitamin-C/Electrolyte packets

Staying hydrated is vital, but sometimes water alone doesn’t seem to do the trick, so I tear open a packet of electrolyte/vitamin powder and stir it into a tall glass of filtered water. I should’ve brought waaay more of these little packets to Steemfest, as I only brought four and gave two away. They’re fabulous little boosts of energy and nutrition.

• Oil of Oregano

If I’m fighting something that needs an antibiotic type approach, I use oil of oregano instead of going for pills, if at all possible. Follow directions on the bottle, and take away from probiotics. If you do take antibiotics, supplementing with probiotics becomes even more important, just take them at separate times of the day, and keep taking probiotics after you’ve finished the course of antibiotics.

• Herbal Tea

Yes, more liquids. There are so many herbal teas that help in myriad ways. I’ve been taking pau d’arco lately, which has a slew of health benefits.

• SLEEP

Rest is crucial. This is when your body does the heavy-duty healing it needs. I’m pretty sure I’m sick because I was having so much fun sleep fell to the bottom of my priority list. No regrets, but now I’m stocking up. Sleepfest is on!

I could keep going, but these are top on my list. I hope it gave you an idea or two to help your own health routine.

What about you? What natural approaches do you use to fight the common cold and boost the immune system?

Thanks for reading!

Whatever happens, keep singing your song!

Peace. @katrina-ariel

Top photo by Nat Anfield.

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Author bio: Katrina Ariel is an old-soul rebel, musician, tree-hugging yogini, and mama bear to twins. Author of Yoga for Dragon Riders (non-fiction) and Wild Horse Heart (romance), she's another free-spirit swimming in the ocean of Steem.

dragon art: Liiga Smilshkalne

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