The Herbal Tea Lady Got the Flu — Here’s What Happened Next.

Winter used to hit me like a freight train.

Colds, flus… if something was going around, I caught it. Every. Single. Time. Even after having my kids, my immune system felt like it waved a white flag the second winter rolled in.

But my journey with herbs and teas slowly rewrote that story.

Now? I might catch a cold once a year… sometimes less. And when I do, it usually looks like a scratchy throat for a morning and maybe feeling a little more tired than usual. That’s it. Nothing like the knock-me-flat, cancel-my-life, why-is-this-happening-to-me illnesses I used to get.

That said… every few years I get humbled.

Last month was one of those times.

I got comfortable. Maybe a little too comfortable. I skipped my elderberry syrup here and there, forgot my seasonal teas more often than I’d like to admit, and ignored that sneaky seasonal shift we’re sitting in right now. Our winter has been milder, teasing us with spring-like days… which, if you didn’t know, is prime time for colds and flus to spread.

Then BAM.

I woke up with my throat feeling like it was lined with fire and that unmistakable “oh no…” feeling settling into my bones. No warning signs the day before. No gentle nudge from my body. Just straight into the ick.

Thankfully, my schedule was clear. Silver linings, right?

And you might be wondering… why am I even sharing this? Shouldn’t I be pretending herbs make you invincible? Shouldn’t I be telling you that if you just drink tea you’ll never get sick again?

Nope. Because that’s not real life.

We all get sick sometimes. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s preparation. It’s supporting our immune systems so when illness does show up, our bodies are ready to respond, recover faster, and soften the blow.

So here’s what I did.

I immediately started my usual protocol… just dialed it up a notch.

I drank elderberry syrup mixed into warm water about 5–6 times a day. When I wasn’t sipping that, I had a mug of herbal tea in my hands constantly. I rotated between Cold Care, Healthy Lungs, and Tummy Troubles (which you may be surprised is amazing for sore throats). Just before bedtime I snuck in one last elderberry and ginger drink with my Elderberry Cordial and hot water to make the most delicious hot toddy I've ever had.

The first day, fever hit hard. I rested, drank warm fluids, and lived on broths. Nothing heavy. Just nourishment and hydration.

By the second day, the fever had broken. I kept up with the teas, soups, and decided it was the perfect time for one of my favourite comfort rituals… a detox bath.

If you’ve never taken one while sick, it is next-level supportive.

This time I used what I had on hand:

• 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

• 2 cups Epsom salts

• (I usually add ¼ cup baking soda too when I have it)

I run the bath as warm as my body can comfortably handle and let the room get steamy. Then I soak for up to 45 minutes, listening to an audiobook, breathing deeply, and letting the steam help loosen everything in my chest and sinuses.

Fun little herbal nerd fact: vinegar and salts can help support airway comfort and overall relaxation during illness. You can absolutely add a carrier oil and essential oils if that’s part of your routine.

That bath? Pure magic.

But the biggest thing this experience reminded me of wasn’t just how supportive these remedies are…

It reminded me how powerful it is to be prepared.

I didn’t have to drag myself to the store while sick.I didn’t have to research recipes through a fever haze. I already had tools ready to support my body when it needed them most.

And honestly… that kind of preparation feels like one of the deepest forms of self-care.

If you’ve ever wondered:✨ What should I actually have on hand for cold and flu season?✨ What remedies are worth making ahead of time?✨ How do I even start building a seasonal herbal routine?

Stay tuned… I’m working on some magic that will help both of us feel more prepared, supported, and confident heading into each season.

Because herbal wellness isn’t about never getting sick.

It’s about giving your body the backup it deserves when life inevitably happens.

P.S. If you'd like to be kept in the loop foe what I'm creating next make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of this page.