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I recently came down with a bit of a sinus cold. It was a period of discomfort with a stuffed nose, sneezing, and an annoyingly hard time breathing.

Once these symptoms were fully in place, I started taking actions to remedy my ailments. I immediately went to my cabinets and reached for my oil of oregano drops, my cold-fighting herbs and sage smudge stick. It was time to get to work! I believe the combination of these efforts helped reduce the duration of my cold to 3 days.

Oil of Oregano

Oil of Oregano has some antimicrobial, antiviral, and even anti fungal compounds which can be beneficial to our health. Often known for its benefits with respiratory infections, that’s why I reached for my oil of oregano dropper. 

Thymol, a natural antiseptic found in oil of oregano can enhance the immune system and promote healing, so it’s a great supplement to use even when you’re not feeling sick.

Herbs: Pine, Echinacea, Elderberry

Did you know pine could be infused like other common herbs? Pin needles and buds can be infused like a tea and consumed for colds and the flu. People have often steamed pine needle to break up lung inflammation, and I remember reading about using pine to combat covid symptoms, so I have it in stock and it definitely came in handy for my tea.

Echinacea is infamous for fighting cold and flu symptoms; it’s believed to stimulate the immune system, potentially helping the body fight off cold viruses more effectively. Some studies have even found that taking echinacea at the onset of a cold could reduce the severity of symptoms and potentially shorten the duration. And THAT is why it was a top pick for my tea.

Last but certainly not least, was my inclusion of elderberry. With its rich deep purple color, elderberries are plentiful in antioxidants and vitamin C to help support the immune system. It’s a popular choice due to its abilities to reduce the symptoms and duration of a cold. Elderberry’s anti-inflammatory benefits are beneficial to easing the congestion and sinus discomfort, which is why I reached for it, along with its ability to help loosen mucus.

Smudge Stick: Sage

Perhaps it was due to my own previous knowledge of burning sage to clear bacteria and microbes from the air, but somehow I intuitively reached for the smudge stick upon waking up in the morning. I didn’t like that my bedroom had a “sickness” in the air. I started burning sage in the morning to refresh the energy and reduce any airborne bacteria. After burning the sage stick, I felt more relieved and like I had more mental clarity — it really helped start my mornings!

Featured in today’s post is all of my original photography.

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