Fighting the booger man

That's right folks. We have not had a boogey man invasion, we have had a booger man invasion. I have one of the many flu viruses, Jellybean gave it to me but her body turned it into croup, and now The Nerd is starting to sniffle, sneeze, and snot. So how do you fight the booger man?

1.) Hot tea - The Nerd and I love Traditional Medicinal's Breathe Easy tea, Jellybean likes peppermint tea with honey or  Traditional Medicinal's Kid's Nighty-Night tea. People think it's weird that my toddler loves herbal tea, but it helps! (She has let it come out her nose before, can you say sinus rinse? The best part, she acts like it's normal and just asks for a tissue, no tears! I died laughing the first time it happened.)

2.) Eucalyptus oil - This is the stuff that makes vapor rub smell so vapory (aside from the menthol). You can buy the essential oil at most health stores and some grocery stores. Our favorite way to use it is in a steamy shower. We turn the water on as hot as it will go, plug the drain, and put a few drops of oil in the tub. Then we just let the steam fill the bathroom and breathe in the goodness. We don't actually get in the bath as it is too hot, but sometimes the steam is highly necessary. You can also "refill" your vapor pads for your humidifier with the oil, or mix 2-3 drops with some coconut oil and you have home made petroleum free vapor rub. (Rosemary, Peppermint, Lemon, and Lavender essential oils are also great add ins)

3.) Nose Frida - It looks strange, okay it is strange, but it works better than traditional nasal aspirators. You just have to get over the fact that you are the one sucking your child's snot out.


4.) Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate - Keep all that mucous liquid by keeping your body pumped up with water, tea, and any other liquids you are craving. Avoid overly sugary or caffeinated drinks as they can dehydrate you. I like drinking iced green tea to give me a break from water sometimes. Sweeten it with honey or agave for an extra boost away from sugar.

5.) Chicken and Dumplings - Nothing hits the spot like some good ol' chicken soup. In our house that equals chicken and dumplings. Find the recipe here but use these dumplings!

I probably have a few more ideas, but they aren't able to make it through the crummy haze. What are your go to natural remedies? Any favorite natural cold fighting products you love?

Happy eating healing!
Tori