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                       The Gluten-Free Nurse<5>
                       ------------------------
                      by Cheryl Gainer, RN, MSN

(Cheryl Gainer is co-author of an article on CD and Pregnancy which
appeared in _J Perinat Neonatal Nurs._, 1993, 6(4):29-36.  Cheryl is
Assistant Professor of Nursing, UTMB School of Nursing, Galveston,
Texas.)

It's time again for flu and cold season and it would be worth your
while to take a few minutes to prepare for the season.  I recommend
every celiac get a flu shot early in the season, preferably the first
two weeks of October.  [Remember this for next year.]  It will take
your body 6-8 weeks to develop antibodies to the flu injection and
give you protection.  If you are allergic to eggs, it would be wise to
consult your personal physician about possible other routes.

Secondly, you need to stock up on a few essentials in case you find
yourself in the grip of a nasty cold or flu bug.  Lemon and honey are
a great comfort to those with the sniffles and are gluten-free (GF).
Lemon and honey appear to have antihistamine and decongestant
properties, respectively.  You can use them in a number of ways.  You
can simply mix a tablespoon of honey and lemon and swallow them down
to get some relief.  You will find this somewhat soothing to your
throat besides assisting your nose to deal with the cold's devastating
symptoms.  My favorite way of using honey and lemon is a hot toddy.
Take 1-2 tablespoons of honey and 1-2 tablespoons of lemon, pour in 1
cup of hot water, and drink it down.  You can add or subtract the
amount of honey and lemon to your own taste buds.  It still works!

Another remedy is rosehip tea.  Rosehips are very rich in vitamin C
which your body will need in huge amounts to fight infections.  Boil
the rosehips for 2 minutes in water, strain, add honey or other
sweetener to taste, and drink!  There is also an old Czech remedy
which I use at the first onset of cold symptoms.  Boil rosehips and
1-3 chopped cloves of garlic for 2-5 minutes in 4-1/4 cups of water.
It's ready when the aroma permeates the kitchen.  Strain, sweeten to
taste, sit down and drink 2 cups immediately.  One hour later drink
another cup.  One hour later drink the last cup.  Go to bed and sleep.
You may have night sweats.  When you wake up, you will feel better!