Our house has transformed into the house of pain due to late winter cold, flu and laryngitis – and we’re not alone. It seems most of my girlfriends are living in a virtual sick bay. I have been trawling through books and websites and grilling grandmothers for the  very best old-fashioned cold and flu remedies around. This is one time when I couldn’t give a fig about being modern! Here is what is really working for us. Let me know your hot tips for beating colds too. Keep up your fluids! Ex

Inhaling steaming vapours - goggles required!

Inhaling steaming vapours – goggles required!

  • Attach a bunch of fresh eucalyptus from the shower head to create a steam room to cure a stuffy head.
  • Always keep your feet warm, whether you are inside or out.
  • Drown in ginger tea. Simply grate 1 inch of ginger root in 2 cups boiling water. Let the ginger infuse for a few minutes, then strain the tea. Add the juice of ¼ lemon and a teaspoon of honey.  It’s like a magic potion and totally delicious.
  • Soak in a warm bath of Epsom salts with a dash of detoxifying Grapefruit Oil and simply sweat it out.
  • Rub VapoRub into the chest and back to assist with breathing.
  • Drink plenty of fluids like water, tea and watery soups that help keep the chest and nasal secretions loose.
  • Eat lots of healthy whole foods and supplement with plenty of iron and vitamin C tablets.
  • Increase humidity levels in your home with a humidifier and soak in a tub of cool (not cold) water to keep a fever in check.
  • To clear out sinuses, eat spicy food (with a side order of tissues). It’s that effective.
  • Another great method for clearing the head is to fill a bowl with steaming water and vapour and inhale. My son wears goggles to protect his stingy eyes (above).
  • Squeeze lemon on everything. Not only for the vitamin C but because it stimulates the salivary glands, pulling fluid into the mouth and making it easier to swallow.
Great tip from Emma, WA via Facebook: Sambucol Cold @ Flu syrup, it’s made of Black Elderberry. ( The same thing they make Black Zambuca with)They say if you start taking it at first sign of symptoms, it cuts the duration by half, you can buy over counter, Coles, or Woolies. We’ve used it a couple of times this year, along with similar remedies you have mentioned.

Here are two great recipes to add to your repertoire.

RAW HONEY is brilliant for colds as it anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and helps with digestion. The thickness of honey helps coat and soothe an irritated throat.  I love this recipe for raw honey. So do the kids.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons raw honey
  • 1 teaspoon organic ground cinnamon

Method

  • Mix with the coconut oil, ground cinnamon, and raw honey together until a paste forms. Add to tea or toast.

Get stuck into a HOT TODDY. This is my fave recipe.

Ingredients

  • boiling water
  • 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground ginger
  • 3 whole cloves
  • Cinnamon stick
  • 2 green tea bags
  • 2 tablespoons Manuka honey
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 to 2 ounces of Rum
  • Slice of lemon

Method

  • Boil the water, stir in the ginger, cloves and cinnamon stick
  • Add the tea bags and steep for 5 minutes.
  • Remove the bags and stir in the honey, lemon juice and the rum. Drop in lemon slice.
  • Drink it while it is still steaming hot. Take a warm bath then crawl up in the bed.

Nighty-night x