Welcome to the best all natural cold and flu remedies.
After the holidays end, it seems like everyone everywhere manages to get sick. We travel, we smash ourselves into small spaces with more guests than it should hold, we hug, we hold hands, we do the Holiday stuff. Unfortunately for us, we become walking petri dishes and fortunately for the germs have ample opportunity to spread around the globe infecting nearly e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e.
While there are multiple things we could and should be doing to boost our immunity (ahem wash our hands, brush our teeth, get rest, yada…yada…yada) there are some additional unconventional ways we could fight colds and flu before they even hit. Don’t worry, if you’re living, breathing (well maybe what seems like barely breathing for some of you) and completely immersed in a cold or flu don’t worry, once you work yourself out of the kleenex box and muster up any strength, this remedy will be helpful for you as well.
Who am I kidding? If you’re sick, make someone else whip up this concoction for you… it’s so easy your kids can do it.
All you need is some small jars (I use 12 ounce mason jars), citrus fruits, ginger, mint, whole cloves and a lot of honey. There are multiple flavors you could create based on the different combinations of ingredients but the idea is to let the honey work to pull the antioxidants out of the citrus and the healing compounds out of the ginger, mint and cloves creating a delicious syrup that can be added to a warm glass of water or hot tea.
Soothing, healing, a boost of energy, it’s just what the doctor ordered.
Well I’m no doctor but I’m sure they would order this….
Citrus: Citrus is naturally high in antioxidants and vitamins such as C which fight off free radicals (and germs) boosting your immune system into gear. This will help to reduce inflammation and swelling (heeeeello throat soother).
Ginger: It is a natural soother helping to calm upset stomach, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and cold sweats. It will help your body to mobilize those toxins getting them out of your body (both dried ginger and fresh grated or sliced ginger work).
Honey: The all natural cough remedy, honey, not only soothes a sore throat but provides a boost to your body allowing it a greater ability to fight infection and a shot of energy helping you to feel better quickly. Do we need to mention the sweet flavor this provides, evening out the bitterness of the ginger and citrus?
Whole Cloves: They contain a significant amount of an active ingredient called “eurgenol.” This ingredient has been studied and found to aid in the prevention of toxicity as well as the elimination of toxins in our bodies. Cloves are an excellent source of manganese, vitamin C, calcium and magnesium, all things with can boost your immune health.
Fresh Mint: Mint has a number of health properties that lie far outside just enhancing our immunity. But in speaking in terms of cold and flu remedies, fresh mint carries an antibacterial and antimicrobial property. It also has a significant impact on the health of your respiratory system due to its naturally soothing and anti-inflammatory qualities.
So when you feel the tightness start to set up, mix up a batch of these all natural cold and flu remedies. Leave them on your counter and use them daily to help fight off any bacteria before it hits hard.
- 2 Lemons
- 2 inch piece of Fresh Ginger
- Raw Honey
- 12 ounce Mason Jar
- 2 Oranges
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Cloves
- Raw Honey
- 12 ounce Mason Jar
- 2 Limes
- 1 bunch Fresh Mint
- Raw Honey
- 12 ounce Mason Jar
- Cut the citrus in slices, leaving the rind on.
- For lemon and ginger, grate the ginger.
- In the mason jar layer the citrus with the second component, repeating layers.
- Pour in raw honey until all of the citrus is covered.
- Screw on lid, let sit overnight.
- Shake in the morning and use 1 Tbsp per 8 ounces of warm water or hot tea.
- *Can leave on the counter for 2 weeks using every day.
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