2025 Issue #36

Why You Really Get a Cold (and How to Get Over It Faster)

From: Nikki Leary I nikki@rootfornew.com

Hi Reader,

Less than three weeks into our big transition to public school, and what happens?

The sniffles hit. First, it’s a scratchy throat, then a cough, then the fever rolls in — suddenly you’ve got a full-blown cold.

Both of my kids went down almost back-to-back, and of course, they looked at me like, “Mom, fix it.”

Now, being both a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and an herbalist, I didn’t reach for Tylenol. Why?

Because while it might temporarily ease symptoms, it doesn’t actually help the body heal. In fact, it can create “medicine head” and leave your liver with the extra job of processing out the medication.

So what’s really happening when you catch a cold?

Your body is mounting an immune response. That fever? It’s your body turning up the heat to kill off invaders. The mucus and cough? They’re designed to flush things out. In other words, your symptoms aren’t the enemy — they’re part of the healing.

But here’s the secret: you don’t have to just sit there and suffer. There are gentle, natural ways to support your immune system so your body does its job faster.

That’s why I reach for remedies that nurture the body instead of fighting against it. Things like rest, hydration, homemade chicken noodle soup with bone broth, soothing veggies, garlic and onion, vitamin C, elderberry, and my new tea blend — Feel Better (cause you should save your sick days).

This tea is packed with herbs that comfort the body and support recovery. It’s not for everyday sipping — so only use this one when you're sick and want to bounce back faster.

So the next time you feel that tickle in your throat, remember: your body is on your side. Give it the support it needs, and you’ll be back on your feet much quicker than you think.

Stay well,

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