Winter Cold Concoctions

[Christy Ralphs]

Favourite recipes for helping beat colds and flu? Best teas (fresh herbs)? Have a particularly nasty cough trying to get rid of at the moment. Made an olive leaf tea tonight. Not sure how many olive leaves to use though - Alys Fowlers book says 4-5 leaves which is the only reference I could find. 

[Fi and Steve]

Hi Christy, i have cleavers if you would like some,i could bring when i pick up seedling x fi

[Kali]

sage by itself is quite strong but I make a mix of lemon balm, thyme and sage tea which is more palatable, sometimes add anise hyssop too which is nice.

[Christy Ralphs]

thank you everyone for your suggestions. have been diligently doing the cider vinegar in the morning, and trying to like the taste of sage tea caroline :) had to look up cleavers on the net, but haven't spotted any in my travels out and about yet - does it have a preferred habitat? haven't been game enough to try the raw garlic yet jordan (i'm impressed!) but intending on trying stephanie's concoctions

[Stephanie Lynch]

Here's another one by my friend Helen:

Ingredients 2 lemons 2 cm root ginger 10 - 20 ml high quality Echinacea tincture clove of garlic (optional) 1 - 2 Tbsp Sweetree Manuka honey Method Grate rind of lemons and ginger root, crush garlic and pour 1 litre of boiling water over and leave to steep for 10 minutes (or longer). Add lemon juice and strain. Add Echinacea and Sweetree honey, stir to dissolve. Drink the entire brew over the course of a day. Keep it in a thermos to keep it warm.

Note:

• Use less Echinacea if you want a preventative brew, and a higher dose if you feel you are coming down with a cold or flu or you already have one. 
• You can also add more garlic, just chew parsley to get the smell off your breath. (Parsley is also high in vitamin C for fighting infections).

[Stephanie Lynch]

Mix in a Blender:

- 1 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar

- 1 Cup Sweetree Raw Honey

- 8 Cloves Garlic (I use Cato's garlic from the Hamilton Farmers Market, it is powerful)

Peel Garlic cloves, cut finely and let stand for 10 minutes to bring out further Health Benefits before adding to other ingredients.
 
Mix on high speed for 60 seconds. Pour mixture into a glass container. Seal and leave in the refrigerator for five days. Normal dosage is two tsp. in a glass of water or fruit juice, grape or orange juice is best before breakfast.

[Megan]

Elderberry cordial has been used as a herbal remedy for coughs, colds & flu and there's been research to back up its efficacy.

[Jordan Healey]

I just have a whole clove of garlic every two-three days, repels more than colds too, people included. To get rid of the smell, i just chew on a handful of Parsley leaves. Works a treat! You need to chew it though, so it is usually better to have one half, then have the other 5-10mins later.

[Caroline Moore]

Hi Christy,  I use fresh sage tea with a teaspoon of raw honey for throat.  Hope you feel better soon.  x

[Jude]

Ginger, or ginger and lemon. I use fresh ginger, sliced and simmered in a pot of water. Can keep reusing for a while. Depends on the type of cough though - giner is great for a phlemmy clean out :)

[Lynn]

From an Olive and Olive Oil site on the net...

Boil two quarts of water, then place 10g of olive leaves (alone or mixed with other herbs/teas) in an infuser or directly into the boiling water.
Immediately reduce the heat to a high simmer and allow the tea to brew for about 15 minutes.
Stir the tea occasionally, then strain to drink and/or refrigerate.
The tea should be a medium amber colour with a slightly bitter taste.
To combat a specific ailment, sip the refrigerated or reheated tea and consume the entire two quarts over the course of three days.

I personally use half a teaspoon of manuka honey and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar in half a glass of warm water, every morning. I didn't get colds last year either.