I have a pretty high threshold for most everything in life – alcohol, pain and pharmaceutics. Perhaps it’s because I am a big control freak and I never allow myself to get in situations I can’t handle. I was feeling under the weather the last couple of days and spending a week in KL where people smoked indoors really did a number of my throat.
I’ve been feeling like I should embark on a more holistic path in life lately – eat better, think positive and stay away from pharmaceutics as much as I can. So I turned to things like manuka honey and melatonin and drank lots of tea. They did work for me. Note though – a holistic attempt requires patience and diligence so you can’t expect results if you’re not going to stick to it.
I think manuka honey’s the bomb. I eat it and I slap it on my face and on wounds. Look out for the UMF (Unique Manuka Honey) grade; the higher it is, the more potent it is. I find 18+ to be a good number to roll with and I’ve been taking a tablespoon of it 3 times a day (and sometimes more if I feel under the weather). This helps to keep you in fighting fit health and is perfect for a sore throat. This is meant to be eaten neat and you can also mix it with drinks but never let it touch hot water as that kills all its health goodness. Buy this East Cape New Zealand Manuka Honey Active UMF 18+ Certified for US$31.80 at Amazon.com
I’ve been carrying Airborne around with me for years now. I always pop one before and during long flights. It doesn’t cure diseases or perform miracles but it’s packed with antioxidants, herbs, vitamins and minerals that worth hard to keep your resistance going and working in your favor. Buy this Airborne Effervescent Tablets for US$6.79 at Drugstore.com
It’s no secret that sleep is essential for being at your best. But sometimes, sleep doesn’t always happen to all of us. Travel and stress can screw with our sleeping cycles and cause sleepless nights. Melatonin is a naturally produced hormone in your body (it signals your body to feel tired) and popping a couple before bed is a great way to fight jet-lag and help you relax. This one is boosted with Theanine to aid in stress relief. It smells a bit like ass but works well enough that it’s not a big deal once you get used to it. Buy this Schiff Knock-Out Melatonin With Theanine & Valerian for US$14.99 at Drugstore.com.
I am naturally wired so I stay away from caffeine. I don’t drink sodas or coffee. But I love tea and a decaf tea is the way to go. White tea contains heaps of antioxidants that do a lot more for you than a can of soda. This decaf version has a delicate flavor that tastes great iced as well. Buy this Celestial Seasonings Tea China Pearl White Tea for US$3.99 at Drugstore.com.
If you prefer to not go cold-turkey on caffeine, this green tea is an awesome alternative. A staple of mine for years when I need a little kick (after a heavy lunch for example), this is enhanced with natural peach for a delightful burst of flavor. The health benefits of green tea have been widely discussed (see how long the Japanese live overall) and this version is definitely one to try. Buy this Bigelow Green Tea With Peach (120 bags) for US$17.75 at Bigelow.
You may also like -
