Mother was right
Tips to stay warm this winter
I
f your mother always warned you to wrap up warm to avoid catching a cold, it seems she was right. Scientists say they have the first proof that there really is a link between getting cold and catching one. Studies at the Common Cold Center in Cardiff, England, have shown for the first time, a link between chilling and viral infection—something previously dismissed by other studies. An article published on the BBC news Web site confirms what Professor Ronald Eccles says: “When viruses are circulating in the community, many people are mildly infected but show no symptoms. If they become chilled, this causes a pronounced constriction of the blood vessels in the nose and shuts off the warm blood that supplies the white cells that fight infection. The reduced defenses in the nose allow the virus to get stronger and common cold symptoms develop. The fact that common colds are more prevalent in the winter could be related to an increased incidence of chilling causing more clinical colds.” To avoid getting a cold, keep your body warm this winter with some of the following herbs and oils. Remember to also wrap your body in warm clothing and shoes before going outside. Add warming cayenne and ginger to your recipes. Cayenne improves blood circulation, warms the body and strengthens
To avoid getting a cold, keep your body warm this winter with some of the following herbs and oils. Remember to also wrap your body in warm clothing and shoes before going outside. the heart. This spicy herb’s other health benefits are too numerous to list in this article. Ginger can be made into a tea, either from a fresh or dried plant. Ginger is helpful for poor circulation, as well as for cramps and muscle/joint pain.
Warming mugwort infused oil This oil is helpful for people whose feet are constantly cold—even when in a warm place. It increases blood circulation and energetic flow within the various meridian pathways of the body, similar to the “moxa” treatments of oriental acupuncture. Apply mugwort oil to areas of the body, which are blue in color or cold to the touch.
¼ tsp cayenne ¼ tsp cinnamon Roast peppers until skins turn black. Put peppers in a paper bag to steam. Take out of the bag and peel the skin off. Sauté garlic and onion for about three minutes. Combine all the ingredients and puree in a blender. Heat up the soup and enjoy!
Warming essential oils For your next massage, ask your therapist to add some warming essential oils to the massage lotion. Black Pepper is warming and helpful for poor circulation, poor muscle tone, pain, chills, catarrh, ear aches, colds and flu infections. Peru Balsam is warming, stimulating, anti-microbial and antiseptic.
Warming baths When I was living in Canada, the winter months were dark, long and at times bitterly cold. Sometimes, the
Domestic & Import
Warming Pepper Soup 6 red or yellow bell peppers 3 garlic cloves 1 onion ½-1 cup boiled potatoes (to thicken the soup) 6 cups vegetable stock
only way I could warm myself up was to slip into a hot bath. My favorite warming bath blend is one cup of Epsom salt, one cup sea salt, 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and five drops of black pepper essential oils. Mix together well and add to the bathwater. Relax and warm up! The herbs discussed in this article can be purchased at The Herb Stop in Pine, 4004 N. Highway 87. Leilah can be reached at 928-476-4144 or by e-mail at herbstop@gmail.com. The FDA has not approved these statements. The information given is not meant to act as a prescription, medical advice or therapeutic advice. Consult your healthcare professional prior to using botanicals discussed in this column.
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January 2010 • Page 41