do you legitimize it?

Simplest possibility: if it's in the game, it's in the game.

I usually just chew on some Corkbulb Root, anyway. Maybe I keep a piece tucked back in my cheek all the time just in case?

But I suppose its possible that the paralysis is not quite complete. (Indeed, given that it's an illusion effect, it's definitely all in your head.) Perhaps you can't move your legs at all, and your arms are so weakened you can't properly swing a weapon or cast a spell... but you can just manage to bring a potion to your lips.