Tips for Cold and Flu Season

[Creative Commons photo by Matt Musselman]

Winter is close, and cold and flu season is here. That means lots of sniffles and a lot of tissues and over the counter medications. North American goes through about 156,000 tons of tissues each year, most of them during the winter months. Sales for medicines like decongestants also increase this time of year. When we’re sick, it’s easy to put some of this green living stuff on hold in the name of getting well. Here are a few tips for treating your sickness with less of an impact.

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Prevention
If you’re sick already, it may feel like it’s too late to worry about preventing illness. You might still be able to stop the germs from spreading through your household and office, though! One of the most important things you can do is wash your hand often, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Keeping your home clean also helps keep those nasty germs at bay. Check out this great list of 10 places that harbor cold and flu viruses in your home at Eco Child’s Play. Wipe these areas down frequently, and make sure to wash your hands (with a biodegradable soap, of course!) after touching them.

What to Do About Those Tissues
The greenest choice when you’ve got a cough or runny nose is a cloth handkerchief. You can even be sick in style with a fancy, handmade, organic hankie! I have a confession to make here: I’m not quite ready to use a hankie when I have a lot of nose-blowing to do. Does anyone use one that can share an experience?

If a reusable handkerchief isn’t what you’re looking for, try swapping out conventional tissues for recycled ones.

Treating the Symptoms
For a stuffy nose, a neti pot can help flush things right out. Eating foods with a lot of garlic and ginger will also help clear out your sinuses. Garlic and ginger have the added bonus of helping boost your immune system.

If you’re experiencing a sore throat or nausea, you might try ginger or peppermint tea. Chamomile tea is great for an upset stomach, too!

For a wet cough, try doing some deep breathing exercises or inhaling steam from boiling water with a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil mixed in. If you have a dry or a wet cough, you might try Kim Goddard’s recipe for ginger tea. In a saucepan, simmer:

• 1 inch or so fresh ginger root, sliced thin or grated
• 1/2 a fresh lemon, sliced (peel & all)
• 1 clove garlic, mashed
• 2 c water
• generous spoonful honey

Cook for about 20 minutes, then strain the tea into mugs, adding more honey if it’s too spicy.

No matter what your symptoms, make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids. If your symptoms persist for over a week, it’s probably time to visit your doctor. Get well soon!

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