I know I usually post massage-related things on the blog (of course, that's why I made it) but today I want to post about illness!
Being SMTs, you are especially susceptible to any illness floating around the classroom. Much of the time, a person is contagious before they even show symptoms, and you guys have full skin-on-skin contact with that contagious person without even realizing it. Of course washing your hands thoroughly is the best protection, and not massaging anyone showing symptoms, but sometimes you get sick despite all the precautions you've taken.
I'm not the biggest fan of conventional medicine. It certainly has its place, but I avoid taking medication whenever possible, even when I'm sick. I find natural remedies work better most of the time, anyway, so I'd like to share some with you that I've tried.
Upset stomach:
Drink peppermint tea. It's the only kind of tea I like! I think it works better if you add raw, local honey to it for sweetener (avoid processed sugar, it makes things worse).
Munch on candied ginger. I personally don't like candied ginger all that much, and it's quite spicy, but it works. Not only has it worked for me and other, previous students, but it's been scientifically proven to calm upset stomachs.
If those fail, just follow the RACE diet, which my dr's office taught me. Foods that are easy on the stomach: Rice, Applesauce, Crackers, and Elephants... I mean Electrolytes (think Gatorade).
Sore throat:
Take 8oz of hot water, mix with 1/8tsp of cayenne pepper and gargle with it! Drink it if you can, but it is super spicy! Sometimes this worked instantly and wonderfully, sometimes not at all, so results may vary but it's worth a shot.
Drink a straight tsp/tbsp of apple cider vinegar if you can.
OR
Mix regular white vinegar with honey and drink that. I haven't actually used this one, and I'm sure it tastes gross, but vinegar is supposed to fight whatever is causing the sore throat, and honey improves overall immune function.
Headache:
There's a tsubo point (Shiatsu) called your BL1 point that always helps me with headaches. Push gently and slightly in and up. I know it's a funny picture, but look at the black dots. That's where the nose meets the eyes. I'll show you where it is!
Lavender is great for headaches. Buy a small lavender pillow to put over your eyes to relieve headaches. Or drink it in a tea.
If it's a tension headache, rub your temples with your palms to release headaches, and give yourself a scalp massage.
Head Congestion:
Boil equal parts of water and apple cider vinegar (make sure the pot is covered). Before you uncover it, put a towel over your head and lean over the pot. Take off the cover and use the towel to catch the steam and inhale through your nose as best you can. Even if you can't at first, you should be able to eventually. It might hurt a tad bit (vinegar is sharp) but it will help clear congestion.
The other option I haven't had as much luck with, but do the same as above, but replace the vinegar with a few tbsps of dried rosemary. It doesn't work as well in my experience but it's gentler.
Throat congestion:
Sip cool water with lemon juice to cut through congestion in your throat.
In general:
Drink tons of water, eat soup (especially spicy soup), and rest. Drink green tea if you like it, too. It's been shown to help reduce the length of illnesses.
I hope everyone who is sick feels better, and everyone who isn't sick doesn't have to use these remedies. If you do, I hope the remedies work for you!
~Jess
