That dry scratchy feeling in my throat. Maybe you recognize it. It’s barely there and easy to ignore.
Five years ago I would’ve ignored it. I would have kept going and told myself it was nothing.
Ten years ago? I wouldn’t have even noticed. I was too disconnected from my body to catch something that subtle.
Back in the day, colds meant three weeks of my life. A week of scratchy throat turning into full congestion. A week of coughing, snotty tissues everywhere, poor sleep, that dull headache that wouldn’t quit. And then another week of the lingering cough and sticky snot that made people move away from me on the train.
Three weeks. Every time.
Then I discovered the neti pot.
Rinsing my nose with warm salt water, not very sexy, but it cut my colds down in half.
Still miserable, but less miserable.
(Side note: don’t use the neti pot when you’re already sick and congested – it can spread the infection.)
About two years ago, I learned about the Ayurvedic honey paste. Honey, turmeric, ginger and black pepper. Take it at the very first throat tickle.
It sounds simple and it is!
Now as soon as I notice that scratchy dry throat, I go to the kitchen, make the paste, in Ayurveda we call it a lickable, and I ‘lick’ that. Couple of days of honey paste licking and done. No cold, no flu, life as usual.
There’s no drama and messy recovery journey. No “I’m so sick but I’m still showing up” badge of honour as you infect all your colleagues and fellow public transport travelers.
Just… not getting sick in the first place.
And that’s the thing about health and wellbeing – it’s a practice, so you don’t have to cure.
The sooner you listen to the whispers of your body and act, the less suffering you’ll experience.
But whispers are easy to miss and ignore. Easy to think “it’s probably nothing”, or “but I always have this.”
Until it’s not nothing and you end up coughing for three weeks. Or worse.
I’m not saying you have to catch every whisper. I still miss some or choose poorly. I still sometimes eat the cheese too late and wake up sweating. I still sometimes push too hard and pay for it later.
But I’m listening more now, I’m responding sooner, and my back-up battery (ojas) is charged, because of this practice.
So life can just keep moving. No drama or three-week detour with collateral damage.
Just paying attention and responding appropriately.
That’s prevention. Not exciting, unglamorous, and so much better than the alternative.
Honey Turmeric Paste Recipe:
* 2 tbsp raw honey
* 0.5 tsp of turmeric powder
* 0.5 tsp of ginger powder
* Pinch of black pepper
Mix together and keep handy as you start feel your throat tickle.
Take 0,5 teaspoon and let it slowly dissolve in your mouth. Repeat 3-4 times daily until the tickle is gone.
Not sexy but it works like a charm.
much love,
