Fighting Through Illness (Sans Baggins)

I recently came down with that nasty business that seems to be working its way through Del Ray like those gnarly creatures riding wolfen things across Middle Earth in “The Hobbit.”

(Not a Tolkien expert, but you get the idea). 

My friend Dana calls it “the funk.” It’s probably better known as a cold or virus and lately it seems just about everyone is crossing its path.

If you haven’t yet, just wait. It, too, is riding a wolfen thing and Bilbo isn’t around to save you ().

When I fell ill, I reached out to Del Ray Patch Facebook followers for their recommendations and remedies and, boy, did you guys offer plenty. 

Here are your appreciated, thoughtful and occasionally hilarious suggestions:   

Lindsey Morrison — “Zicam and lots of saline spray in the nose and gypsy cold care tea you can get it at Whole Foods.”

Alexis Lee Crumbley — “Emergen-C, rest (if you can), Sudafed with Mucinex extended release (behind the counter at CVS).”

Jenny Davis Whaley — “Mucinex!! And LOTS of sleep. Get well!”

Jenni Boastfield Fitzgerald — “For a sore throat or tension headache, suck on a piece of crystallized ginger... I swear by this!”

Jolynne M. Flores — “Wash you hands constantly. Then wash them when you think about it. Then wash them again in between. Then some more.”

Mind the Mat Pilates and Yoga — “Neti Pot, Zicam and Hot Yoga.”

Mandy Bowers — “Bourbon and Zicam.”

Jordan Wright — “Get well soon on chicken soup or pho!”

John Bernasco — “Zicam! It works great and it's homeopathic. It's all you need.”

Amy Reiff — “Time.”

Kevin Beekman (of The Arlandrian)— “Po Siam's Pork and Tofu Soup.”

Anastasia Devlin — “South China's chicken soup! Delish.”

Maggie Hansen (my dear mother) — “Want me to bring you some chicken soup tomorrow?”

MaryAnn Kirkpatrick — “Go to MOM’s and ask them for Cold Calm. It's a homeopathic remedy. Also take Emergen-C. MOM’s also carries that.”

Julian Anthony — “Neti Pot.”

Drew London — "Bourbon… lots and lots of bourbon (can be placed in a strong pot of tea with cinnamon stick, cloves, honey and orange slices). You might not feel better, but you won't care!! Haha!!"

Drew Swersky — “Onion in your sock.”

Laura Fries offered the following recipe for something called “Maggie’s Cough Remedy.” 

Ingredients:

• ¼ teaspoon Cayenne
• ¼ teaspoon Ginger
• 1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (an organic one, like Bragg’s, is preferred.)
• 2 Tablespoon Water
• 1 Tablespoon Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.)

Directions: Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and water. Add honey and shake well. Take 1 tablespoon as needed for cough. Hoo-wee.

Note: This doesn’t dissolve perfectly. Always shake well before using. If you make this in small batches as the recipe is written, there is no need to refrigerate. If you prefer, you may refrigerate this. It keeps as long as you need it. I like to make small batches (it is so easy to mix up) and use it up in a just a few days.

I ended up sauntering over to Stacey Swartz at The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray. She lined me up with some Mucinex and a packet of zinc and elderberry lozenges. Her suggestions helped me through the weeklong funk along with plenty of rest and a moderate amount of bourbon. The Hansens always keep the booze handy.

I’m still not exactly sure about this Neti Pot. Is it grown in the Shire next to the elderberry? Didn't they just legalize it in Colorado and Washington? Maybe someone will enlighten me.

Do you have any other cold or flu remedies? Share them in the comments.

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