10 Home Remedies To Aggressively Fight A Virus
Perfect for moms who are just NOT having it this cold, flu, RSV season.
A virus ransacked my home and these are the ten insights I garnered about how to improve your odds of thriving in spite of the boogers, phlegm, and constant coughing. My goal with the unimaginable wellness podcast is to help moms navigate their mental health along their nonfiction book-writing journey. It also just so happens that this includes helping you figure out how to sucker punch and kill viruses that aim to stall or stop your writing routine.
I had such a two-week sprint where my youngest caught a virus then my eldest joined in and later on it was my turn to get in the viral ring to fight this nasty body villain. These are the ten things I did to keep my writing show going and to boost my immune system. What would you add? Feel free to add what’s worked for you in the comments. Excuse the typos, my left-eye is pink. Not joking. It’s not my iPhone’s fault.
Shitake mushrooms - I hate fungi however when I found an article that Shitakes aggressively help your immune system fight a virus I added them to my meals. I suspect the word aggressive would not push anyone over the edge to consume something they dislike but aggressive is a word I hold close to my heart. Being aggressive to me has always meant it gets the job done.
Black tea (decaf) - The key is to drink three cups a day and that I’ve been doing. I picked this natural solution because again it was one of those feisty immune boosters. I’m all for feisty.
Ginger - You can opt for pricy shots of turmeric + ginger + cayenne pepper. It’s an option but at 4.99 I went for natural ginger. It’s got enough of a kick for me that I’m working it into my tea ritual during these sick days.
Echinacea - This I double-fist. Drinking two capsules per day help me keep the doctors at bay while under the weather.
Vaporizer - Use one. Make sure to NOT buy one with a filter unless you want to become a slave to maintaining that filter or replacing it for life. I had a filtered one before and it was a horror show every time I’d see it after minimal uses! This is a mom hack that is priceless. This insight alone is worth becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter. Your sanity was just saved and $13.99 too. I plan on exclusively sharing these Friday newsletters for paid subscribers only. Wanna keep getting these Friday pick-me-ups? Become a glorious paid subscriber. The investment will be way less than wrangling with filters; pinky promise.
Vicks - P&G is not paying me for this ad. I once worked for P&G on the Charmin brand. Vicks is brought to us by P&G. However, it was not revered like Charmin internally. However, amongst the Latino community, Vicks is the thing we do as a first line of defense against any illness. It cures nothing in my opinion except it makes us cough less. You may want to give it a go.
Bone broth - I’m a second-generation Latina who adds superfoods to her foods. I’ve even slightly castrated Puerto Rican/Cuban dishes because I’m pretty American. Hence, this bone broth thing is something I’m doing these days to win my personal fistfight with this virus that is ripping my insides apart. The jury is still out but give it a go for the collagen boost. I told you I’m extra American.
Honey - Sip it with a spoonful along with fresh lemon. It’s better in my opinion than any cough medicine on the market in that it’s natural! Can you tell that I disdain anything that was made near the NJ Turnpike? New Jersey has been called the medicine cabinet of the USA and that’s where a lot of the pharma invent their answers to our viral questions. Share this article with your mom friends, especially the ones who are unwell this week.
Sleep - Let’s skip this one. You are a mom. It’s impractical if you are prepping for the holidays and the kids are off from school.
Words - Don’t judge me for this one. The moment I was cleared as negative for strep throat and pneumonia, I had a conversation with my immune system. I said to her: it’s time to fight this virus like a m*ther*ucker! I was alone in the car driving and it was a Rocky moment for us. You may want to speak kindly to your immune system. However, again aggressive is a word I can hang with. I’m not one to lie down when it comes to my well-being. I rather be like a Shitake — aggressive. You may want to embody the characteristics of this fungi too. Your turn. What else do you eat, drink, or do to combat colds or viruses in general? Let’s add ideas to the comments.
Who is Melissa Llarena the writer behind this Unimaginable Wellness newsletter?
Mom to three sons. Thrived during two pregnancies. Yes, I had identical twins.
Born in Forest Hills, NY. Lived in Paris, London, and Sydney. Based in Austin and still trying to figure out why she is in Austin. Wanna help her feel more at home in Austin? Say hi in the comments if you love Austin.
Surviving a virus that began as a sore throat, one sore lymph, fever, and has progressed to a pink eye that is HEALING. Again, any viral tips are welcome.
Writing a book for moms temporarily called: Mom Needs A Lift: Say good-bye to self-doubt, figure out what lights you up, and imagine yourself really going for it
Some reviews are already in. Want to snag a free chapter today?
Here is what my beta readers have to say about my book thus far:
Melissa is a mom of three with big dreams who tells it like it is. She draws on her own experiences and the experiences of professionals she’s interviewed for her podcast to reflect on the plight of the mother. How do women conform to or challenge the traditional “mom script”? If you’re a mom, what can you do to break the “cultural glass ceiling” to be yourself and a great parent, all without having to force yourself into a mom mold that doesn’t fit you? Melissa is like a great friend, honest and wise and funny, telling you about her life and asking you to reflect on yours. This book is a great purchase for moms in every stage of life. - Maureen, Librarian / Mom
For moms like me, the pandemic was an opportunity to re-evaluate and course-correct things in our lives we weren’t thrilled with. Coming out of this period, sluggish yet motivated, so many of us can use this book to help us wake up! If you’re looking to refresh, reenergize, and yes, reimagine a better version of your life, this book is for you. I loved the hilarious, yet poignant stories about motherhood today and the window into the world of those who’ve gone for it – and did it. - Former ESPN Communications Executive / Mom