Achoo! Tagged with a meme: Common Cold Remedy: Get Well Soup

Helen of Beyond Salmon has tagged me with a food blog meme: What is your Common Cold Remedy, especially as it relates to food?
This great theme was instigated by Raquel of Raquel's Box of Chocolates.

As it happens, last September I had the occasion to write on this topic, because that's the last time I was sick. Just re-reading that post makes me very grateful for my current good health!

As it turns out, my common cold cures are much like that of Raquel's. When feeling poorly, I do the following:
1. drink more water and Green Tea (loaded with anti-oxidants)
2. avoid dairy, especially milk
3. avoid sugar or junky foods
4. Eat a lovely vegetable soup (pictured above) or chicken soup
5. Get extra rest! That includes no exercise more vigorous than walking.
6. Take a really hot bath

Pre-emptive herbal remedies I sometimes use: Airborne. Airborne was developed by a second grade school teacher who was tired of catching every cold germ being passed around by her students. It is also used by airplane travellers or other persons who get ill from breathing recirculated air. It contains seven herbs, anti-oxidants, (vitamins) and other ingredients in an effervescent tablet. Do read the label because it also contains corn derived sugar or other ingredients you may wish to avoid. One Amazon review stated that it contains Aspartame, which I do NOT recommend, and which almost made me not mention it at all. Airborne is one of the most popular cold remedies on the market, largely due to positive word of mouth. Some people swear by it, but I think there might be better alternatives out there. There is an Airborne web site, but it is cursed with a truly obnoxious sound blurb that plays when you load the home page, and you will get more information by reading the comments on the Amazon page.

My preferred premptive herbal remedy is Oscillococcinum.This herb comes in a sublingual pellet form that tastes sweet and melts under the tongue. While it uses sucrose as a medium, it is the number one natural remedy in France and is a big seller in the US as well. It can also be found at Whole Foods market. I like it because it seems to work, and does not contain dubious ingredients such as Aspartame or corn sweeteners (which Airborne does). For more information you can visit their web site.

I do feel that herbal supplements help mitigate agianst illness. I try my best to refrain from medications that make me feel "drugged". However if I feel a bit desperate to avoid a cold, I will sometimes take a pre-emtpive dose of Theraflu to do two things: knock me out (sleep) and dry me out (no runny nose). My hope, in these desperate times, is that the germs will not find any nice gooey muscus in which to replicate themselves, and thus will die a swift death. I must admit that I seem to have avoided many a cold this way, IF I catch it soon enough-- like if my nose feels "damp" but not yet runny. I hate colds and illness with a passion, and will do all manner of voodoo to keep from getting sick. Promoting health with good nutrition, exercise and rest is much better than voodoo any day!

Don't underestimate the value of the long soak in a hot tub, preferably by candle light with soothing music (such as Enya) playing. My theory is, a hot bath raises the body temperature a degree or two, thus simulating a "fever". This Fake Fever will trick the germs into thinking my body is not a hospitable place, and stop replicating. It is also a great stress reducer, which further strengthens the immune system. Of course I don't do this if I have an actual fever.

Now it's my turn to pass alng this germ meme! I hereby tag the following persons with the Common Cold Remedy meme!

Adam at Amatuer Gourmet
Joe at Culinary in the Desert
Amy at Not As Good As Pork Cracklins
The Quince at The Candied Quince
Georgia at Not A Domestic Diva

Here's to good health in 2006 and beyond!

Comments

[Helen]

Hi Andrea,

This soup sounds great and not only on sick days.

Cheers,
-Helen

[Andrea]

Hi Helen!
Yes, we eat this soup and its variations a lot!

I am afraid the "cure for the common cold" meme was not very contagious--no one has had time to respond to my tag yet! Hopefully this means we are all too healthy and busy with other things. :)

To your health;
Andrea