Cold Remedy Better than Starbucks Medicine Ball

Having a cold or sinus illness is no bueno. It is the absolute worse to be congested and feeling icky, but still having to go about life. If you are a parent with kiddos to take care of it is even more miserable. With all that goes on in family life it’s hard to press pause and get the rest you need to recover from being sick. But, what if there was a natural way to speed up the getting well process and get you back on your game faster. Well, I think I found it. The sinus and cold remedy is based on the popular Starbucks drink called a medicine ball, but with the addition of some major germ fighting ingredients.

Searching for a Cold Remedy

I had always been curious about the Starbucks medicine ball. I had heard that it was a delicious tea-based drink that helped to comfort and ease the symptoms of a cold. Since I don’t get sick too often I had never tried it. Until recently when my kiddos brought home some lovely germs from school that decided to run rampant through our house.

Of course it had to be in the middle of the holiday rush. With 5 kids and my tendancy to procrastinate I still had so much to do to get ready for Christmas. Not to mention all the holiday parties and activities that I needed to attend. One thing was for sure.

I could not be sick. I just couldn’t!

That being said, as much as I willed it not to happen I slowly felt the first signs of a cold approaching. You know, scratchy throat, tired body, sneezing…

Before I knew it and no matter what I did to prevent it, it hit me like a bus. It seemed like it only took hours to become a full blown cold with sinus pressure, runny nose, and an achy body.

I needed some help, and fast.

I still had to finish off my Christmas shopping so with my husband graciously watching our kids at home I left the house to face the commercial holiday madness.

I was feeling rough but I made through all of my errands. That’s when I decided to make an extra stop at Starbucks to finally put the famous cold remedy to the test: the medicine ball.

I placed my order and waited for my name to be called. I wasn’t sure what to expect but when I took my first sip I was pleasantly surprised at the lemony-sweet taste. In fact, it was delicious and soothing.

I finished my medicine ball and waited to be miraculously cured. Except the next day I was worse. It was my husband’s birthday so I needed to find a way to feel better.

I wanted another medicine ball. Or five.

However, I didn’t want to keeping spending money on them so I decided to look up a copycat recipe to make one (or five) at home.

I found it and quickly went to the store to grab the ingredients needed that I didn’t already have. Surprisingly it was exactly like the Starbucks version so I spent the day sipping on medicine ball drinks and trying to cure myself.

By that night my congestion was at a new level and my speech was the stereotypical “cold talk”. You know, where all your “m’s” and “n’s” sound like “b’s” and “d’s”. The next day was no better. The sinus pressure was unbearable, I couldn’t breathe through my nose at all, yet it kept running uncontrollably.

That is when I took matters into my own do-it-yourself hands and decided to upgrade my medicine ball.

An Up-Leveled Cold Remedy

I did some quick research to find more home remedies and settled on a few ingredients that had a reputation for helping relieve cold symptoms and boost immunity. Here’s what I decided to add:

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (ACV)

• Apple cider vinegar is like the multi-tasker of your kitchen pantry. There are so many beneficial uses for it, including helping to clear infection and reduce mucus (gross). The elements in ACV work to kill germs and act as an antibacterial. The key is to use an ACV with “the mother”, the cloudy stuff at the bottom of the bottle.

Related post: Check out The Only DIY Face Mask You Need which contains ACV.

CAYENNE PEPPER

• Cayenne pepper is known for its metabolism boosting abilities but it also works to open up your nasal canals and decrease sinus inflammation to help you breath.

GINGER

• Ginger in another ingredient that will help to fight the cold infection and aids in boosting your immunity. It is also soothing to your gut and digestive system.

Putting the Ingredients Together

Those 3 ingredients added to the home version of the Starbucks medicine ball are what makes up the new and improved cold remedy that is proven to make you feel better faster.

You can find the full recipe just below but the original medicine ball contains: peach tea, jade citrus mint tea, lemon juice, and raw honey.

I made one of these and drank it down. Within 24 hours my congestion was completely cleared! I didn’t just get better, I got better fast. I wished I had discovered it sooner but now I know for the next time.

This drink can also be used at the first signs of a cold to ward it off and prevent you from getting sick.

Ultimate Medicine Ball Recipe

-Upgraded for maximum effectiveness-

Ingredients

• 1 bag Teavana peach tea
• 1 bag Teavana jade citrus mint tea
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar with “the mother”
• generous dash of cayenne pepper
• 1/8 tsp ground ginger
• 8-12 oz. hot water

Directions

• Add all of the ingredients to a mug or hot beverage cup.
• Bring your water to a near boil in a tea kettle, pan, or microwave.
• Add your water to your mug and allow the teas bag to seep for 5-10 minutes or until the tea has cooled enough to drink.
• Sip and enjoy up to 3 times daily.

Other Ways to Stay Healthy

• Hand washing. This one seems like it would be obvious but I thought I would mention it anyway. Here’s why: hand sanitizer does. not. work. At least in comparison to washing your hands with soap. If you are in a bind and not near a sink, then yes, use hand sanitizer. But in every other case, washing your hands with soap and water is the better bet.
• Immune boosters. My go-to that I take at the first signs of a cold or if someone in our house is sick is Airborne. Emergen-C is another popular choice. They help your body fight off any bacteria or viruses that have been introduced. Even if you do still get sick they can often reduce the severity of your symptoms.
• Eat Healthy and Exercise. Again these things are quite evident. By giving your body the right nutrition and maintaining an active lifestyle your immune system will be in its best shape to fight disease.
• Disinfect just enough. Yes, it is possible to disinfect too much. Your body still needs some exposure to germs so it knows how to fight them off. However, it is good to give your living space a good wipe down, especially areas that get touched a lot like light switches, faucets handles, door knobs, etc. Items that often get overlooked but can be loaded with germs…your cellphone, credit cards, car keys, and your vehicle’s steering wheel. Ew.
• Get your flu shot. If you are not a believer in the flu shot that is fine. However, I do think it is beneficial, especially in younger children and older adults.

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