An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
By Clay Brown RN, BSN, M'Div.
Coriander
Benjamin Franklin couldn’t have been more accurate with his axiom on the value of prevention. Though he originally intended this wisdom to be used for fire safety, it is certainly relevant in the wake of this Coronavirus pandemic. As we watch our leaders tirelessly work to develop a vaccine and find a cure, there are many things which we can do to safeguard our health. Perhaps something as simple as taking a short break to relax, or enjoying a slow brewed cup of immune boosting tea will suffice for now.
The other night I drove through the quiet streets of Paoli on Rte 30, and found the town devoid of its usual hustle and bustle. It was somewhat ominous to see a barren train station, restaurants, stores and even gas stations closed. Yet, I couldn’t help but notice what appeared to be a feeling of sweet surrender flowing in the atmosphere. Perhaps it was nothing more than my mind playing tricks on me, as I watched the image of that smoky orange sun setting in the distance. Still it was a beautiful sight to see, and I knew at that moment eventually we would be okay, that God had not forgotten us.
The stillness and ever growing peace of that evening, reminded me of the opening scene of Ralph Nelson’s 1963 movie classic, Lilies of the Field starring Sidney Poitier. In the opening scene, the narrator reads the scripture Matthew 6:28, subtly reminding the listener of God’s redemptive grace in the midst of uncertainty. We’re lead to ponder, the many ways that God provides nourishment and healing for the lowly lilies of the field. What beauty and splendor does God see in his people, and how much more are they capable of doing in the sight of adversity? We as Christians know the teachings of Christ Jesus, and we can always look to him for direction.
Whenever I was troubled and worried about things to come. My mother would say “You can never go wrong with prayer, it opens doors you could never imagine, and in the most unusual ways”. In times of uncertainty, prayer, hope, joy, laughter and the kindness of sharing can be some of the most effective instruments we can use to increase our well being.
Additionally, there are a few other things that we can use to safeguard our health, and perhaps prevent a sudden decline in our well being. Though if you are sick and in need of medical attention, you are encouraged to contact your healthcare provider, or seek medical attention immediately.
The other night I drove through the quiet streets of Paoli on Rte 30, and found the town devoid of its usual hustle and bustle. It was somewhat ominous to see a barren train station, restaurants, stores and even gas stations closed. Yet, I couldn’t help but notice what appeared to be a feeling of sweet surrender flowing in the atmosphere. Perhaps it was nothing more than my mind playing tricks on me, as I watched the image of that smoky orange sun setting in the distance. Still it was a beautiful sight to see, and I knew at that moment eventually we would be okay, that God had not forgotten us.
The stillness and ever growing peace of that evening, reminded me of the opening scene of Ralph Nelson’s 1963 movie classic, Lilies of the Field starring Sidney Poitier. In the opening scene, the narrator reads the scripture Matthew 6:28, subtly reminding the listener of God’s redemptive grace in the midst of uncertainty. We’re lead to ponder, the many ways that God provides nourishment and healing for the lowly lilies of the field. What beauty and splendor does God see in his people, and how much more are they capable of doing in the sight of adversity? We as Christians know the teachings of Christ Jesus, and we can always look to him for direction.
Whenever I was troubled and worried about things to come. My mother would say “You can never go wrong with prayer, it opens doors you could never imagine, and in the most unusual ways”. In times of uncertainty, prayer, hope, joy, laughter and the kindness of sharing can be some of the most effective instruments we can use to increase our well being.
Additionally, there are a few other things that we can use to safeguard our health, and perhaps prevent a sudden decline in our well being. Though if you are sick and in need of medical attention, you are encouraged to contact your healthcare provider, or seek medical attention immediately.
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1. Keeping our immune systems healthy is paramount, so here’s what you can do. Limit those foods and drinks which naturally have a depressive affect on our immunity. Things like soda, alcohol, salty, sweet or fried foods tend to depress immunity [1]. Milk, cheese and yogurts encourage the body to produce mucus. It may be wise to limit these items if you feel a cold or congestion beginning to form. Fresh and frozen vegetables are the key here, as are beans like lentils, and lean cuts of meat and fish.
2. Scurry your kitchen for some of those long forgotten spices and make a cup of slow brewed immune boosting tea. Cardamon and cinnamon are natural expectorants, and may help to liquefy mucus or phlegm. Bay leaves are a natural decongestant, and cilantro/coriander is often used for it’s antihistamine effect [2],[3]. Two of my favorite slow brewed teas for the cold and flu season, are a combination of cumin, coriander and fennel, or a combination of ginger, cinnamon and licorice root which I find to be soothing to the throat. Like with all spices and herbs remember to use caution, as anything in excess can be harmful. 3. Get some rest! There’s a reason why toddlers have so much energy, they take naps. There are some studies which suggest that short naps may be better for our health than longer naps. Brief naps allow our bodies to slow down and focus its energy on needed repairs, including boosting our immune system [4]. So use breaks and lunch periods wisely during this pandemic, and nap for a few minutes. You’ll feel rejuvenated! References 1. R K Chandra Nutrition and the immune system: an introduction. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 66, Issue 2, August 1997, Pages 460S–463S, 2. Opara EI, Chohan M. Culinary herbs and spices: their bioactive properties, the contribution of polyphenols and the challenges in deducing their true health benefits. Int J Mol Sci. 2014;15(10):19183–19202. 3. Mea G, Giorgini S, Rocchi MNinfali P, Bacchiocca M. Antioxidant capacity of vegetables, spices and dressings relevant to nutrition. Br J Nutr. Feb;93(2):257-66. 4. Good sleep, bad sleep! The role of daytime naps in healthy adults. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2006 Nov;12(6):379-82. |
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