Tis the Season… for Coughs and Congestion!

From one mama to another our kid-tested remedies and tips.

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this newsletter is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen, especially if you're dealing with a serious illness.

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I’m Sara, guest writer for this week! I’m a mama, regenerative agriculture enthusiast, raw milk supporter, and farm marketing specialist. I’m hopping in here today to talk about something that’s been on my mind—cold and flu season. As much as we’d love to skip over it, it’s here, and it’s bringing some serious health challenges with it. Let’s dive in!

I’m not one to be a Debbie Downer, but along with the holiday cheer comes something a little less festive—cold and flu season. Word on the street is that there's a nasty bug going around that lasts for-e-ver. Well, okay, not forever, but it certainly feels like it’s hanging around for a whole month. And let me tell you, this one has wiped out some of my toughest friends and family members—healthy folks who eat well, get outside, and follow good health practices. Even those of us living the Weston A. Price life (you know, eating nutrient-dense foods, soaking up sunshine, and taking care of ourselves) are getting knocked down by bronchitis, pneumonia, and some other gnarly stuff. Heck, the school nurse even told me that pneumonia is the new “common cold” at school. When did that happen?!

I have my theories about all this (cloud seeding anyone?), but I’ll save those and my tinfoil hat for another time. Right now, I want to focus on how we’ve been dealing with this month-long illness (because honestly, I've never been this sick in my life).

As a holistic mama, I started off doing all my usual tricks—raw honey, saltwater gargles, extra rest, vitamins, herbs… you name it. But nothing seemed to touch this bug. It was the same story I was hearing from my holistic doc, too.

And so, what started as a pesky little cough quickly turned into full-blown bronchitis. My doctor’s official diagnosis? “Really, really horrible bronchitis.” She reminded me to be thankful it hadn’t turned into pneumonia, like it has for so many others. She said that was a testament to my overall good health. And I appreciate that reminder… but when you’re literally struggling to breathe, it’s hard to think about health philosophies. All I wanted to do was fix it now.

So, I gladly accepted the steroid inhaler, the albuterol rescue inhaler, and a five-day round of antibiotics! And while those definitely helped, here I am, three weeks later, still struggling with extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and leaning on that inhaler more than I’d like to admit.

On top of it all, ear infections are making the rounds, too! I thought it might be helpful to share some real, tried-and-true tips from other mamas who are going through this right now and how we’re supporting our bodies during this tough time. Sometimes, it’s okay to admit that we need the meds when they’re truly needed. And I’m thankful for modern medicine when it can help save lives.

Lung & Airway Congestion

• Salt inhaler: A great tool for breaking up the gunk and easing coughing.
• Steam mask: A simple, but super effective way to clear the airways.
• Breathing exercises: Gentle and restorative for your lungs.
• Fresh air: Even when it’s cold outside, fresh air can work wonders for your lungs.
• Glutathione supplement: A powerful antioxidant to support lung health.
• Mullein tea: Soothes irritated lungs and helps with bronchial support.
• Electrolytes + lemon water: Keep hydrated and replenish essential minerals.

Ear Infections

Nicole (one of my favorite holistic mamas) swears by essential oils for ear infections. She’s used this method with her five kids for over a decade, and it’s been a lifesaver. Here's what she does:

• Essential oils: Basil, Tea Tree, and Hylicrism, mixed with a carrier oil like olive oil. She applies the mixture behind the ear and on a cotton ball, then places the cotton ball in the ear overnight. In the morning, no more ear infection!

Nicole and I also both use Mullein & Garlic Ear Oil, which has been a staple for our families.

I, on the other hand, start with food-grade hydrogen peroxide at the first sign of an ear infection. I fill the ear canal, let it bubble for a minute, and then drain it out. Sometimes I’ll follow that with ear oil if I feel it’s needed.

I also keep an ear scope on hand to help identify ear infections early. It’s reassuring to be able to monitor things at home, though I’m grateful for doctors when things get serious.

Fatigue & Aches

When your body is fighting off something this nasty, you’ve got to take care of yourself. Here’s what’s been helping:

• Salt baths: Relaxing and helps with muscle soreness.
• Magnesium oil: For muscle recovery and better sleep.
• Sore muscle balm: I grab it from our local farm —check out CT Ranch’s here.
• Heating pad & ice packs: For relief of those deep chest and pains.
• Stretching: Lying around a bunch when you're sick can make things feel stiff, be sure to do some stretching to keep muscles from tensing up.

Supporting Your Body After Antibiotics

This is a bit of a controversial topic, and honestly, I’m still figuring out where I stand. Some people swear by pre- and probiotics, and I’ve had some good experiences with them. But ultimately, I think getting pre- and probiotics from raw, fermented foods like yogurt and kefir is the most natural and effective way to go. So, keep eating your fermented foods—even if you’re not sick—and double down while you’re recovering to help restore your gut microbiome.

Stock Up on Farm Essentials for When You Need Them Most.

Elderberry Syrup

Fire Cider

Cold & Cough Oxymel

Pain Relief Soothing Salve

Raw Honey

At the end of the day, when we’re not feeling well, sometimes the best medicine is simply a big old hug and someone who’ll listen to us vent.

Look, I’m not sure what kind of illness is making the rounds, but I can tell you it’s been a doozy! This bug has hit hard and long, and we’re still recovering. But it’s a reminder of how important it is to start off strong. There’s no way to completely avoid illness, but staying healthy in the first place—through nourishing foods, fresh air, and exercise—can help us weather the storm and prevent complications.

So, while it’s tempting to wrap ourselves in a bubble and hope for the best, we can take comfort in the fact that our bodies are resilient. No matter how hard it is (and trust me, it was really hard), we will come out the other side stronger and wiser than before.

Hang in there, everyone. I’m wishing you vibrant health and wellness this holiday (sick) season!

Take care,
Sara
& The CT Ranch Team