Ways to Avoid the Flu

The common cold has been around for eon, even though it has morphed a bazillion times. It’s brilliant at outsmarting us, this is why we don’t have an effective remedy to cure or prevent it.

Health experts will tell you the obvious, get enough rest, allow your body to sleep more if it wants to, drink plenty of water, take cough drops, take vitamin C, sip chicken broth and keep a trash bin near the bed in case you have to throw up in a hurry. These are all great suggestions, especially the last one, but if you’ve been there, and got the T-shirt, you know this is not nearly enough.

Job one is to wash your hands frequently. Keep them away from your face, and don’t use them to cover a sneeze or a cough. This is so simple and yet whenever I people watch, I notice everyone fidgeting with their face and heaven forbid picking stuff out of their teeth or nose. Yeah, seriously that was going on in the car next to me yesterday. Instead, use a tissue and then throw it out. Don’t opt for a hankie, it’s kind of gross to reuse those. No tissue? Use the crook of your elbow to cover your nose or mouth.

Certain spices like thyme, garlic and saffron. These possess anti-bacterial, antifungal and anti-viral compounds making them strong medicine in my kitchen.