Recently, it seems as though a black cloud has been following me, and I have had a need to sleep… Lots and more and lots. This morning I woke up and my throat was hurting…bad.
Uncertain of whether I had a voice left and knowing that I had work to do, I got up and set off. Happy in the knowledge that being ill is the reason for my recent depressive self, woo hoo!! It’s okay, I’m not falling into a murky tunnel! This explains why my skin has been getting paler and my mood darker.
Armed with this knowledge I looked forward to finishing off my day and collecting my entire “feel better” essentials. Here are some of my tried-and-tested tricks to helping me through a cold: sans médicaments!
First off when you have a cold you must keep hydrated. Drink lots of fluids. Water, of course, is a fabulous friend and so are my delicious cold fighter brews from the kitchen.
Hot Orange and Honey:
Fill half a cup with hot water and stir in a couple of teaspoons of honey till fully melted. Top up with orange juice. Stir and drink.
A fabulous warm drink filled with goodness.
Lemon and Ginger Tea:
Chop up some ginger and halve a lemon. Squeeze the lemon into a cup and add ginger. Top this up with hot water. To finish, stir in a couple of teaspoons of honey.
I usually make these drinks at the same time. It is best to drink the Hot Orange and Honey as soon as you have made it, I drink this while waiting for the Lemon and Ginger Tea to cool down. If you have to face the office with a full blown cold, fill up a thermos with the Lemon and Ginger Tea and work while sipping your way towards better health.
A Thyme-ly Infusion:
This is the simplest of all my cold fighter recipes and has the most immediate impact, too. Very easy to make–get a bunch of thyme, wash carefully and place in a pan, fill the pan with cold water and bring to the boil. When served, add honey or a squeeze of lemon or lime. I tend to drink mine as it comes, savouring the natural flavours.
Thyme is a great healer! Fighting several diseases that cause bacteria and viruses. It is also a great digestive aid, helps with menstrual aches and pains, and is a fantastic cold remedy. Today, thyme is used to treat whooping cough and emphysema in Germany.
After all this, I make an inhalation of menthol and hot water.
This is me working on ridding the cold. How glamorous!
annesaneries blogs at anne’s-aneries.
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Glenda says:
These sound like great tips! I hope it is working for you.
I hope I don’t jinx myself…..I haven’t had a cold in years. Of course living on the farm (retired), I am not as exposed as lots of people.
On June 29, 2011 at 5:09 am
Anita says:
Love the thyme idea – thanks! I bet it’s a bit astringent. I usually keep the hot tea flowing with lots of lemon and honey, mostly cause I can’t keep ginger in the house. I tend to eat it. lol
On June 29, 2011 at 6:36 am
annesaneries says:
They are working, I had a terrible cold all weekend and am fighting it with all the above, almost done… Phew! Thyme is amazing, one of my granny’s tips, eating ginger is great too! xx
On June 29, 2011 at 7:34 am
Robin from Rurification says:
I love lemon ginger tea! I live on it all winter. We put honey in it when the kids get sick.
On June 29, 2011 at 8:06 am
Larissa says:
mmmm yummers.
On June 30, 2011 at 10:19 am