Cough, sneeze, sniff, repeat
- lynnemoses
- May 29, 2023
- 6 min read
Well, it’s that season again. Coughs, fever, runny noses, ear aches, fuzzy heads, shivering and misery. I went in to see the doctor about allergies, went to the pharmacy to get the prescription filled and woke up the next morning with a flu. Eleven days later, I’m still navigating recovery and wish I could conjure up another me to attend to everything I need to do today.
It was the kind of flu where I don’t know where some of my days went.
I recall my sister bringing me some stew. I recall seeing Kriya, my niece's almost 24-month-old toddler, running around in my house but I’m not sure if I hallucinated her - like that baby from Ally McBeal. I swear I saw her point at me, laugh and then dance!
I recall Roland giving me some bowls of soup and that I watched a movie about a very violent mother.
I did think that I was dying and then felt mortified that story of my death would be that my family returned from their day and found me snot-nosed and unshowered, surrounded by Vicks, tissues and smelling of eucalyptus oil. Such an unglamorous way to kick it.
I do know that for the many seasons I have navigated, since starting to run my own home as a wife and mother, I have some tried and tested tips and tricks that get me through. I didn’t come up with these. I have studiously and meticulously gathered them over the years from reading, from friends, from TV, and in more recent years from Pinterest and YouTube! I then add to it or enhance it and make it work for me. A Lynne twist.
Like that time my friend Rachael baked me a Gulab Jamun cake. I decided to try my hand at this delicious Indian treat. It turned out amazing. I then realised that the syruppy soaked goodness of the edge of the cake was actually the best bits. So, I now make that same cake, but bake the batter in my brownie pan that has squares so that each person can have their own little Gulab Jamun cake and enjoy 4 sides of syruppy heaven instead of just one. I took someone else’s brilliance and made it next level!!
Credit to wherever and whomever it is due because whilst I may be able to name some names, I absolutely cannot remember others.
Sanitise
Before we were hit with the pandemic, I used to have a little hand sanitiser bottle strapped to my backpack. I was disgusted by the germs on the public transport system, so, I needed to sanitise as soon as I got off! Shout out to Mr Dirk Kotze who was the only other person I saw or knew, who did the same, and was disgusted by it too. See how I did that Dirk?
Flu season means you have to disinfect your living space. Ever since masks were thrown out, people seem to have thrown out sanitisers too. No! In our home, if the flu-infected person decides to watch TV, even the remote gets sanitised. Spray the services, wipe down everything and please sanitise! My tip is to keep disinfectant spray in every room. That way, you never have to hunt one down when you need it.
Stay Home
Please. We’re on our knees. Stay home! There is nothing worse than having to have a conversation with someone who is feeling miserable. Just stay home. Keep your germs contained, at home. It sounds so clichèd but rest is really the key thing that your body needs. Having been man down for so many days, I eventually had to venture out to an event I had committed to. It started off well. Until 1pm rolled around and I felt like the Gautrain had strapped me to the front of the drivers car and used me as a flashlight. Stay away from church, temples or any other religious activities where many people will gather. Trust me. The Lord understands! Stay home from school, Uni and sporting activities. Avoid malls, restaurants and flea markets. Stay. Home.
Oils
I do remember who told me about this one. She is mum to my brother-in-law. Kelsie was a winter baby. Lo and behold, at 5 weeks old, she had a runny nose and a tiny little cough. Her nostrils were so minute I would use a cotton bud to clean it.
So, Aunty told me to mix together camphorated oil and mustard seed oil, warm it up on the stove or microwave and rub down the poor child. Works like magic!! My tip - I now add Vicks to this magical mixture. A good rub down relieves aching muscles and you wake up feeling human again. The trick is not just the airy fairy application on the chest and back. It must be a good, solid rub-down, climb into bed with a wheat bag and go to sleep.
Ginger Tea
This one is well known but bears repeating. Ginger tea for colds and flu is a wonder drink. It also helps with digestion. To make a really good one, use fresh ginger and boil it up on the stove. Make an extra large batch and freeze the excess. That way, all you need is one cube and add hot water for a quick anti-inflammatory drink. I add honey and some people suggest adding tumeric. My tip, smash up the ginger in a pestle and mortar and then add it the water to boil. You get much more of out the ginger once its been pummelled a bit and my extra tip is to name your enemies as you pummel!
Vicks under feet
I don’t know why, but, this one works when you have an irritating cough that keeps you up at night. I don’t know the science behind it but try it. Since I discovered this one, I cannot ever recall anyone in my family being plagued by a cough at night.
Humidifiers
The cost of humidifiers is just shocking! If you do have one, a great tip is to use eucalyptus oil in it. No humidifier? Top up your diffuser with a mixture of eucalyptus and peppermint oils. My tip-if you don’t have a humidifier, try eucalyptus or peppermint oil in a perfume burner. You’re welcome.
Eat Right
Eating and drinking right is another key to a quick recovery. Stews and soups and lots of water. My tip-if you’re like me and run away from drinking water, then try herbal teas (think peppermint or liquorice) Avoid caffeine.
My friend Judy swears by Simply Asia extra hot Tom Yum soup. If you’re from an Indian home, you know the russom or King soup cure, which is a watery soup made with lots of onion and chillies, peppercorns and soaked in tamarind water. My friend Sandy will stake her life that russom will cure you straight away. Now, this soup is as sour as my mood is sometimes, so it’s not a favourite of mine. Other people would adopt someone else’s granny if she would make it for them. If you really want to try it, take a trip to Nagiahs in Midrand. They stock it in their freezer section.
If you feel brave, try making a batch for yourself.
My tip-a really spicey chutney made with fresh green and red chillies, onion, paprika and tomato. Opens those sinuses right up!
Open up the doors
This last one, I know, might seem obvious but when you’re watery-eyed and snivelling, the only thing you want to do is curl up in a ball under a thick blanket and sleep. Do open up the doors and windows, try to sit outside in the sun for a bit and the vitamin D will do you a whole lot of good. My tip-order something online. That way you are forced to open the door to accept the delivery. Its really just an excuse to shop but hey, I will take it.
I spent yesterday having to drag myself out of bed really early to honour another commitment, that was actually Kelsie's as she serves in the church u18 band, but since she relies on me to drive her, I was out of the house at 7am and heading to church. I got back, ate a nice curry, took some meds and promptly went to sleep for 3 hours. I have been banned from sleeping on the couch. Apparently a nap is not supposed to last that long.
Pfffff. I’m feeling almost like my usual creepy, nagging self again. Here’s hoping that those of you who haven't been hit with it yet manage to evade it completely. If you have had it already, please up your vitamin intake to prevent getting it again. To those huddled in the corner, surrounded by tissues and snot, get well soon. Try to avoid re-writing your will. I promise, you’re going to make it. Just like I did!
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