I’m double dosing with fruit smoothies and home made punches and feeling better for it. Great for an antioxidant boost with anti inflammatory and disease preventing compounds. They are easy to whip up and taste yummy too- the raspberry smoothie is taken to a new level of flavour with the addition of the cinammon and the Lemon and Ginger punch is great generally for coughs, colds and upset stomachs. A shot of something strong would also elevate it to a new level!

Raspberry Boost Smoothie
2 Cups frozen raspberries
1 Orange, peel and pith removed, coarsely chopped
1 Cup unsweetened pomegranate juice
1 Cup cranberry juice
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups ice
1 scoop protein

Throw everything into the blender and blend until really smooth
Serves 2.

Lemon and Ginger Punch
Serves 2
A 1 inch piece of fresh ginger scrubbed and chopped
1 stick of cinnamon
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp of honey (Optional)
2-3 cloves

Slice the ginger and place in a heat proof container with the cloves and cinnamon stick.
Cover with 2 mugs of boiling water
Leave to infuse until the mixture is cool enough to drink
Stir in the honey, lemon juice and Strain to serve

Beetroot and Carrot Power Boost
1/2 small beetroot juiced
2 medium carrot juiced
1 sweet apple cored and chopped
1 pear cored and chopped
2 tbsp ginger peeled and grated
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 cups water
1 cup ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until really smooth.
Serves 2.

Lemon & Lime Apple Drink
14 fl oz of sugar free apple juice
Juice of 2 fresh limes or Lemons, or 1 of each
.5inch thick slice of ginger peeled
2 sprigs of fresh mint
1 small apple cored and sliced

Mix the juices and add the slice of ginger to infuse.
Leave to cool in the fridge until required.
Serve with a sprig of mint and a few slices of fresh apple in each glass

And now…. I have a cold.

Desperate to kick this sickness to the curb before Thanksgiving, I’ve resorted to all sorts of remedies…a few aspirin, a handful of vitamins, gallons of tea, early bedtimes, maybe a whiskey or two….you name it, I tried it.

But my ultimate, tried-and-true, fail proof, cold-kickin’ combo is this: a stroll in fresh air and a steaming bowl of pho.  Rather than staying cooped up and moping next to a box of Kleenex, I know that getting out for a long walk can start to clear up even the nastiest of symptoms. So I bundled up, leashed Wyatt, and headed for the wetlands.

The hound tugged me along at a fairly brisk pace, and we gulped down the salty coastal air. It was quiet out, there was a sturdy onshore breeze, and the view was gorgeous.

With weary legs but big smiles, we headed home. While Wyatt dozed off right away, I started on a big pot of soup. There’s something about Pho…the strong broth, aromatics, and spices…that warms you from head to toe. Deemed one of the world’s “50 Most Delicious Foods” by CNN last year, this popular Vietnamese street food is so killer, I had to find a way to whip up a pot at home. There was bit of leftover roast in my fridge, so this particular recipe is for a beef version (Pho Bo). Feel free, however, to sub the broth for chicken or vegetable and omit the meat if you need to. To me, pho is all about a deeply flavored, rich, spicy broth.

You will need:

4 cups good quality (beef) broth

Thinly sliced beef

Package of thin rice noodles or ramen

Bean sprouts

1 jalapeno

1 lime

1 fistful of fresh basil

Sriracha (hot sauce)

Garlic

Crimini or shitake mushrooms

1 cup scallions, diced

1 tsp. Chili powder

1 tsp. Ground or freshly grated ginger

1 tsp. Ground cumin

Salt, pepper

Finely mince 2 or 3 cloves of garlic and sauté in a large soup pot over medium heat. Once the garlic is turning golden, pour in the broth, followed by your scallions and thinly sliced mushrooms. Add in a pinch of salt and pepper, and a dash each of chili powder, cumin, and ginger. Pour in 4- 5 cups of water, and let simmer for 30 minutes, or until adequately reduced.

Once the broth is finished, place a handful of rice noodles in the bottom of a bowl and pour the piping hot liquid over. The noodles will begin to cook, and now you can add your condiments! I love the traditional bean sprouts, hand torn fresh basil, thin slices of jalapeno, and a squeeze of lime. If you like it spicy (like I do), stir in a bit of Sriracha hot sauce! If a more mild flavor is what you prefer, you can also add Hoisen or a bit of duck sauce.

Slurp up, and enjoy!

*** Wyatt wears a Gentle Leader headcollar. This may resemble a muzzle, but is far FAR from it. For more information, click here. ***

Honey: antibacterial. Cinnamon: anti-inflammatory. Lemon: soothing for a sore throat. Squeeze some lemon into your water, mix a spoonful of honey with a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon, and you’ve got yourself a virus-healing trifecta!

Anyways, he’s right about apple cider vinegar. It’s powerful stuff. Funny story: as newlyweds living in remote Appalachia in the late 70s, my Mom would drink ACV a couple times a day, wash her hair with it and clean the house with it… much to my father’s dismay. My mom and dad would tell that story very differently. That smell just doesn’t go away. Luke can relate.

I revisited my tattered copy again this week as I fought off my first cold of the season. Successfully, I might add. I’d been gathering the ingredients to make Rosemary Gladstar‘s Fire Cider for a while now (it’s not that easy to find fresh horseradish root around here, and you can forget about organic), and it finally came together on a day when I just so happened to need a shot of the stuff. The smells alone of all those pungent roots and spices were enough to set my sinuses in motion.

It’s only going to get more powerful after a month of stewing. Some people apparently bury theirs in the garden…

Do you know this trick of burning a candle while chopping onions? The smoke helps stop you from crying. I swear by it.

Fire Cider by Rosemary Gladstar

Chop or grate equal parts onion, garlic and horseradish.

Add at least half of one part fresh, grated ginger root (you can add more if you like).

Put all chopped roots in a large canister. Add cayenne pepper to taste, or, one to two chopped fresh cayenne peppers. (I used one habanero pepper). I also added a tablespoon of turmeric for flavor, color and medicinal value.

Pour in enough Apple Cider Vinegar to cover the mixture plus two inches. Seal and label the jar, and put away in some forgotten cabinet for at least 2-3 weeks. After this time, decant the liquid and flavor with honey. Add a Tablespoon to tea, salad dressings, over veggies, or any way you like. The high concentration of vitamins and minerals are great for boosting the immune system and ward off germs all winter long.

But this weather! Oh man, oh man. I love it.

The mornings have been cold enough where I get to wear mittens and a hat and the afternoons find me in shorts and a t-shirt. The days feel like summer in the pacific northwest, except there are carved pumpkins on the steps and a little girl dressed up as superwoman next door.
Of course real life had to bring my unhappiness down a tad by giving me a cold. It is the kind of cold that is just waiting around the corner. I can feel is brewing in my throat and my head, and I’m doing everything in my power to combat it.

Lots of water? Done. Weird herbal drink that tastes like ginger meets butt? Done. Warm tea with honey? Done. Nine hours of sleep? Yep.

Last but not least, I wanted to make a soup of some sort and because the weather is so perfect I couldn’t resist making chili. I was inspired by the thought of chipotle, as everything about it warms my soul. The thing I love about chili (and soup in general) is you really just throw everything into a pot and call it a meal. As a vegan, I stuck with a three bean chili loaded with vegetables and some peppers for good measure. It soothed my throat and kept me happy and full for hours.

Perfect chili for perfect weather and my not-so-perfect cold.

(oh, I also put down my iPhone and took REAL pictures of my food this time around. Shocking, I know.)

3 Bean Vegan Chipotle Chili

1 tbsp olive oil
1 sweet onion
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 zucchini
1 sweet potato
3 cloves of garlic
1 can of black beans
1 can of kidney beans
1 can of pinto beans
1/2 can of chipotle peppers (in sauce)
1/2 can of mild peppers
1.5 cups of vegetable broth (you can use more if you want, I like a thick chili)
1 tbsp chipotle chili powder
2 tsp salt

Heat up olive oil over medium heat. Add in chopped onion and sweet potato, and turn heat to medium high. Cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add in chopped bell peppers and zucchini and mix in salt. Cook for a few more minutes before adding in the minced garlic.

Next you add in the peppers. I added in an extra spoonful or two of the chipotle sauce, as I wanted the chili to have an extra kick to it. I also chopped up the canned peppers so they kind of melt into the rest of the vegetables, and you don’t even realize they’re there until the flavor hits your face (in a good way). I also threw in half a can of mild peppers for good measure. Why not?

Lastly throw in the beans and the vegetable stock. Mix everything together and add the chipotle chili powder and any more salt your taste buds fancy.

I let this simmer for about 30 minutes, until the smell was too much and I wanted to eat all of it. I served mine with some gluten-free sweet potato corn chips, because they are perfect for scooping and add some texture to the dish.

So many veggies, this cold can’t stick around.

As the cold and flu season is in full force, finding the perfect remedy to relieve symptoms is essential if you are going to survive this fall. My little wonderful secret? Ginger tea!

Ginger tea is the perfect way to relieve a cold or flu, prevent even the slightest trace of symptoms, and keep your immune system strong and ready to fight. This is super easy to make and is a killer at making colds and flus naturally disappear.  More effective than what you will find in a pharmaceutical box.

Ingredients:

• Fresh ginger
• Water (3-4 cups)
• Honey (optional)
• Lemon (Optional)

How to prepare (makes 2-3 servings):

1. Carefully peel fresh ginger – getting rid of all skin. Then, cut the ginger into thin slices. Place on the side.
2. In a pot, bring water to a boil.
3. Once the water is boiling, place the ginger in the water and turn the heat down to a simmer.
4. Leave for 10-15 minutes.
5. Once done, turn off heat.
6. While optional, I like to place a tablespoon of honey  and a touch of fresh lemon into each cup (mmm!)
7. Pour the ginger tea into the cups and make sure to place the pieces of ginger in each cup.
8. Drink & enjoy!

If you are serious about getting better, make sure to eat the little pieces of ginger in the cup. Although it may be a little too strong for some people, it will help you get better faster. Tough it up! Keep this recipe in mind if you or your loved ones are beginning to come down with a cold or flu. It is healthy, natural, cost effective, and effective!

How I use holistic medicine to assist in my recovery:

The symptoms: cold core & extremities, sore throat, white, coated tongue, dry mouth, ear ache, body aches & pains, excessive mucus production, very low energy, pale coloring, loss of voice, deep, hacking & productive cough, glassy eyes, healthy appetite, overly sensitive to stimulants such as coffee, caffeine or sugar, cravings for salt, excessive, cyclic thoughts.

What these symptoms tell me to look for in an herbal protocol: warming, fire building herbs, soothing & astringent herbs for the mucus membrane & lymphatic system, a mineral heavy, earthy diet, lots of water & rest. As a very fiery person, this flu had drained my fire & I was exhibiting very watery (mucus production + glassy eyes) & airy (cyclical thought patterns + being stuck in my own head) elements. By bringing in warming, bitter & salty herbs & foods, It will build back my internal fire & add earth to my current water/air constitution.

Herbs & foods I incorporated:
Elder & Sumac syrup: a traditional native remedy for cold & flu, this syrup is diaphoretic (sweat inducing), supportive for building the immune system, soothing to the mucus membrane, & helps bring down a fever (cooling). While I didn’t need the cooling aspect, it was very helpful in all the other areas. 1 TSP every hour & a half

Ginger & Echinacea tea: this warming, soothing, lymph combo is a favorite of mine. The most important thing to remember with echinacea (purple cone flower to you gardeners) is that in order for it to work in your system, it MUST be used early & heavily to act as an antibiotic. I didn’t have any tincture ready, so a tea of the stem & leaves had to do. A strong decoction taken every hour would have been best, but I didn’t have the energy. This is when tinctures are so handy to have around! {slaps hand for being ill prepared.}

Goldenseal tincture: The big guns came out to work, but I think I waited too long to incorporate this bitter, antibiotic medicine. It wasn’t until Monday afternoon, after my husband’s suggestion thar I even thought to use goldenseal. It’s strong drying properties make it an obvious choice. It’s extremely bitter (digestive aid & liver support) taste make it rather unpleasant to get down.

Goldenrod bath: I was soooo achey that the pressure of the bed sheet & down comforter hurt. A good bath is always soothing to my body & soul. The added benefit of sweating out toxins & having my friend goldenrod to ease the body aches were great perks.

Chai tea + brandy: hello, my little friend! This oh-so-warming & soothing, not to mention delicious combo is a new favorite. When you get cold & sick call me. I’ll make us both some.

Water, water, and more water: support the lymph, flush toxins from the liver, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Chamomile: another digestive bitter & building herb to use as a tonic while healing. It’s all about comfort & support.

Rest: this is where I always mess things up. One day, maybe, history will quit repeating itself. When I get an inkling of energy, I feel like I have to check off the impossibly long lists my over-thoughtful mind has created immediately! {face plant} Things like cleaning bathrooms, cooking big dinners, doing all of the laundry & cleaning out my studio are examples of what no to do. Sigh. My downfall & more than likely the reason I’m still in bed an entire week later.

Whole foods: bone broth soups, root veggies, nutritive, healing, traditional soups & warm teas – I can’t get enough!

Probiotics & yogurt: dear antibiotics, you have wreaked havoc on my digestion. I don’t appreciate it in any way. After such violent medicines kill off any healthy bacteria along with the invaders that made me so ill, it’s so very, very important to add a good probiotic & plain yogurt cultures to help build back a healthy gut.

That’s about it from the sick bed. It’s nap time again. Do you combine healing methods? Anything you’d add to my protocol?

Happy napping,
Mae

So, I think I have managed to identify two types of breakfast people. The kind that go to bed dreaming of the following mornings delicious bowl of milk and cereal, that crunchy piece of toast or the sizzling sound of bacon under the grill. And the other kind that fail to acknowledge that breakfast time actually exists.

I must admit I used to be morning person number 1! Going to bed with the excitement of waking up to super thick almond milk and cinnamon porridge. I figured this was a pretty healthy breakfast until I learned about cleansing on rising.

So despite popular belief  you don’t need to have a fully loaded morning to boost your sleepy metabolism and keep you slim and healthy, but you should stimulate your metabolism to break the fast…  a simple cup of warm water and lemon will do the trick! The advantages of this magical potion are enormous:

1. Sniffle Free- The high levels of vitamin C found in lemons help boost you’re immune system while potassium is very important for preserving proper blood pressure

2. Balances pH- Although lemons may taste acidic they are extremely alkaline when inside the body. Acidic bodies are sluggish, bloated, gassy and uncomfortable. Lemons can neutralise an acidic environment and have you glowing from the inside out!

3. Keeps pounds at bay- Pectin fibre found in lemons helps with weight loss by squashing hunger cravings

4. Aids digestion- warm water wakes up your insides and kickstarts the digestive muscles that keep things moving. The minerals and vitamins found in lemons act like a scrubbing brush cleansing toxins from the digestive tract.

5. Cleanses-The cleansing properties don’t stop their it also acts as a gentle, natural diuretic so after the scrubbing phase is finished everything is flushed out.

6. Beautifying- The results of all this: cleansing glowing, gorgeous, clears skin

After your body cleansing lemon and hot water wait until you really feel hungry and enjoy a yummy breakfast of whatever you fancy!  Muesli, Kefir and raspberry jam is a favourite of mine! Check my breakfast recipes for some yummy wholesome ideas!

I have a cold.

Because when the Merman came down for a visit, he was in the first day or so of a cold, and I made out with him anyways. Because…. I mean, you know. It was very necessary.

Anyways.

I do not really enjoy cold medicine. It makes me feel all fuzzy and ikky, and I just wasn’t raised in a cold-medicine house. I mean, I’ll take anbiotics that the doctor gives me if it gets really bad, but this is just a cold, and I’m not going to chug dayquil and fill my body with chemicals and shit.

However, I am not a huge fan of the Echinacea flavour. And that is the tea I have to combat the sniffles. SO, if anyone else out there is saying “I hate Echinacea too! But I deal with it, because I know it’s good for me and shit…” I am so there with you. AND!! I have devised a solution!!

Step one: Get out dat nasty ass tea.

Brew it and steep it and shit. It tells you what to do on the box.

Step Two: Get out that super fresh honey, and drizzle that shit into the tea.

you don’t need a whole lot, I just put in about a teaspoon. Depends on what you like…

Step Three: Put cinnamon in that muther fucker!!

Again, to taste. Honey and Cinnamon have a TON of healing properties, it’s kinda cray. Click this if you want to know more about that!

Alrighty! So all together, you have a cup of Echinacea, a teaspoon(ish) of honey, and a teaspoon(ish) of cinnamon.

I mean, before I had the box of tea, I was drinking hot water, honey and cinnamon, and even that has left my throat waaaaay less sore, and helped keep my nasal congestion down.

Let me know if you have other cold remedies that are tasty and natural!

Love,

Sniffly Mermaid

Most people run to the Vitamin C or orange juice when they have a cold, but people rarely consider pineapple, which also contains large amounts of Vitamin C. Now Vitamin C is not a fix all, it doesn’t “cure” your cold. It simply boosts your body’s immune function to help you fight off the cold and hopefully avoid one in the future! Pineapple also contains bromelain, an anti-inflammatory, which is said to help suppress coughs and loosen mucus.

As luck would have it, I had no Vitamin C, zinc, echinacea or any cold medicine of any kind for that matter (I’m so not prepared for cold/flu season yet. Better get on that). I didn’t even have any oranges and I didn’t want to use up my OJ which is for breakfast, but miracle would have it that I happened to have some pineapple. And so my evening snack was a nice sized bowl of pineapple and a mug of honey/lemon hot water. Woke up the next morning with no sore throat! You may say it was just luck or you may say it was the honey/lemon water, not the pineapple. I don’t know what I say but whether it was one or the other it helped. So, THANK YOU PINEAPPLE!

It’s that time of year when the nights start to draw in and thoughts turn to becoming prepared for the chillier days ahead. Colds and Flu symptoms are tedious so it’s good to be armed with a recipe that Mary Poppins would be proud of! There’s certainly more than a spoonful of sugar in this recipe but it’s required to preserve the fruit mixture. Some of the documented benefits are:
1. Immune system booster
2. Powerful Antioxidant
3. Helps to relieve coughs, colds, sore throats & Flu
A spoon can be taken once a day to prevent Winter sniffles or 3-4 times a day if symptoms suddenly appear. There are thousand of recipes on the internet (I recommend that you research this for yourself) but this is the recipe I use and it tastes delicious!

Firstly, you need to locate and properly identify the Elder Sambucus nigra and collect only the fruit that is plump and really dark. We have an Elder bush that lives by the shed (that was helpfully planted by either a bird or squirrel) and luckily there are quite a few Elders down the Lane too.

The Elder is an amazing plant that not only produces pretty and useful flowers (although a little whiffy for my liking) but it also has the most amazing jewel-like berries on colourful red stems. It’s important not to strip the plant completely as many birds rely on these berries for food… and it’s also nice to leave some berries for fellow foragers! The great thing about this recipe is it’s adaptable depending on how many berries you have. If you don’t like the spices below then you can omit or replace as desired.

RECIPE
Ripe elderberries
Sugar (equal amount in weight compared to elderberries)
1 Lemon
2 Star Anise
20 Cloves
Thumb of fresh ginger
Lashings of good intentions

It’s important to only use the ripe, black berries. Those that are green or dark pink could make you ill… as do the the stems or bark so it’s important to prepare these little rascals properly! My preferred method, whilst sitting at the table with a cup of coffee, is to gently hand pick each berry off the stem. If the berries are really ripe then a fork can be used to ease them off the stalks but this can result in extra stems being added too!

It took about 45 minutes to obtain a decent bowl of elderberries and it’s slightly more interesting than podding broad beans (but not much). The berries need to be washed well – and if an earwig runs out try not to have a screaming fit and throw the berries everywhere.

1. Put the washed elderberries in a large pan
2. Cover with just enough water and put on the stove until boiling
3. Add the lemon and spices and stir well
4. Cover and leave to simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Sterilise the bottles in readiness
6. Mash the mixture to release the flavour, carefully remove the large pieces of lemon and ginger and carefully strain into another container (I used a cafetiere as my sieve wasn’t fine enough!)
7. Measure this liquid, return to a clean pan and add equal amounts of sugar*
8. Boil for approximately 10mins and ensure that the sugar has been dissolved.
9. Let the liquid cool a little then decant it into the sterilised bottles.

* some recipes recommend 3/4 amount of sugar to the full amount of elderberry juice. It’s important to remember that the sugar is there as a preservative so your juice may not stay fresh without sufficient amounts!

The containers I used were anything from old whiskey bottles to recycled glass herb pots (which are a great handbag size for taking to work!). They also make thoughtful gifts for friend or family who become ill… or those who can’t afford to be!

The spices give the syrup a lovely, mulled taste and it’s very like blackcurrant cordial. Some culinary uses are:

- Poured over pancakes or vanilla icecream
- In a favourite cocktail (eg with champagne as an alternative to Kir Royale)
- Hot Toddy
- Added to fruit crumble or fruit pie instead of sugar
- Added to sparkling water for a refreshing fruity drink

I maybe should have mentioned at the beginning of the post that these little beauties stain so protect work surfaces and wash your hands well. I still have a black stained thumb that looks like I was fingerprinted at the weekend!

Luckily I live in a Cambodian household where they have an effective, although sometimes painful, technique for breaking fevers and alleviating some of the symptoms of the common cold called Gua Sha; commonly known in the western world as coining or spooning.

Gua Sha

Gua Sha is the practice of using coins, rounded stones or spoons to rupture blood vessels just below the skin.  Southeastern Asians use it regularly for many ailments including the common cold.  Apparently people can become addicted to the process, setting regular weekly appointments, because the body releases cortisol to reduce the pain that is inflicted on the body.  I don’t see how people do it since it hurts like hell and it makes me look unhappy.

How it Works

The coiner applies a generous layer of oil or vaseline to provide a smooth surface.  A coin, stone, or spoon is then “scraped” along the skin surface until dark red lines of broken capillaries show on the skin surface.  This technique is repeated in patterns mostly across the upper chest and back, although some practitioners will do it all over the body.  After all of the lines are created the scraped areas are coated with White Monkey Balm, which is a natural alternative to Icy Hot or Vaporub type of product.  After applying the balm, cover with a shirt and get under a blanket to help bring the toxins out of the bloodstream through sweat.

It seems a little crazy, but it broke my fever this Monday and is a go to fix for colds in my household.

Do you have any natural cold remedies?  I’d like to hear of some to try out so I can speed up recovery the next time I catch a cold.

I LOVE that my kids know how to apply and use Essential on each other.  As a mom, it is very fun to watch and see the way they interpret what I have taught them. (like in this video- Sophie uses the word “straws” for pores- because that is how I explained pores to her- so that is what stuck in her mind).  I have loved how essential oils are teaching my kids how to use their own intuition with their bodies as well.

DoTerras Wild Orange is harvested from the Dominican Republic.  Some of the uses of this amazing oil are:

• Antibacterial
• Antidepressant
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Antiseptic
• Aids with Digestive upset
• Aids promoting healthy body image
• Relieves Water Retention
• Stress
• Cold and Flu
• Creates a high energetic frequency of abundance and support in your home

Visit our oils store to purchase your bottle of medicinal CPTG Wild Orange essential oil
http://www.mydoterra.com/intuitivebeing/

Well, we have completed two weeks of school now and already the cold season has started in our house. We used to think that a childhood spent rolling in the dirt and cleaning horse stalls would give the kids a little extra immunity boost (and maybe it does), but jamming them into a school packed with germy kids seems to undo the good of what the kids like to think of as their “protective layer of dirt”.

I keep honey and lemon at work all year and offer it whenever someone complains of a sore throat (and it just dawned on me why I was voluntold that I am the first aider on site and am now needing recertification again). Lemon, of course, has Vitamin C and immune boosting properties. Honey coats your throat, is a natural antibacterial and acts as a cough supressant. And if you add the warming properties and tummy soothing help of ginger, you have a home remedy for colds, coughs and sore throats. I’m not saying this will cure what ails you, but it will make your throat feel better, warm you up nicely and boost your immune system.

You can make yourself a mug of honey lemon ginger tea, or you can keep a jar of the ingredients pre-mixed in the fridge like I have on hand. I made a jar of it up last night after making a cup of tea for the small squeaky kid, who was squeakier than usual.

You can find a similar product to the pre-mix that I made in Asian or Korean markets, called Yuja Cha. It’s like a citrus marmelade, but is used for hot teas or mixed with cold water for a summer drink. You can easily make some up yourself and because honey never goes bad, is antibacterial and a natural preservative, this will keep for months in the fridge. The components will break down over time and become more marmelade-like. I’ve read that some Korean households keep topping up the honey and lemon and keep the jar going continuously.

Honey Ginger Lemon Tea Mix

• 1/4 to 1/2 of an organic lemon
• fresh ginger
• honey (raw)

Thinly slice the lemon and peel and thinly slice or mince the ginger (I used between 1-2 tsp of minced ginger, you can use your judgement about how much you’d like). I cut the slices into quarters to help them break down faster in the honey. Arrange the lemons (take out the seeds first) and ginger in layers in a clean, sterile jar and cover with honey. Refrigerate until needed. Use a large tbsp of the mixture in a mug of hot water to make tea.

Or if you just want to make yourself a quick mug of tea, you can use these measurements:

Honey Lemon Ginger Tea (1 mug)

• 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp honey

Put ginger in a small bowl and pour 1 cup boiling water over it. Allow it to steep for 5 minutes. Strain into a mug and add in lemon juice and honey. Add more honey, to taste, if needed.

To further kick it up a notch, add a shot of whisky and a pinch of cayenne. If it doesn’t cure what ails you, it might at least help you go to sleep. And no, I didn’t put whisky in squeaky kid’s tea.

And don’t forget that you can make your own homemade version of Vapour Rub, minus the dead dinosaurs (petroleum).

Linked to Frugally Sustainable, Growing Home, We are That Family, Mind Body and Sole, Foy Update, White Wolf Summit Farmgirl, GNOWFGLINS, Gastronomical Sovereignty, Wildcrafting Wednesday

Zinc lozenges: Zinc is an essential mineral that is vital for the body resisting infection as well as an antioxidant. Zinc lozenges have been found to limit cold duration by 42%. Zinc supplementation is not recommended for long-term use. Study here.

Astralagus: Astralagus root has antiviral properties and stimulates the immune system. Astralagus can be found in several forms including teas, capsule and extract. Australagus is not recommended for those with autoimmune diseases.

Garlic: Garlic contains allicin which has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Studies confirmed that those supplementing their diet with garlic had significantly fewer colds and those that did get colds had a much shorter duration. Raw garlic is most effective if you can stomach it.

Honey: has been shown to be effective in treating coughs especially in children. Dark honey such as buckwheat honey is best due to its increased antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Studies have found that honey before bed was even more effective than a cough suppressant syrup for children in reducing the severity and frequency of night-time cough. Honey is not recommended in children under 1 year old.

Echinacea: Whilst there is some evidence that Echinacea is useful for preventing cold and flu, the most rigorous study conducted so far suggests Echinacea isn’t effective for preventing cold and flu.

Ginseng: A study on ginseng found that it was as effective as antiviral medications for preventing and treating flu. Ginseng is not recommended during pregnancy.

Elderberry: Elderberry is available in a tasty syrup and has antiviral properties. Studies suggest that elderberry is safe and effective for treatment of the flu with individuals taking it getting better on average 4 days earlier.

Vitamin C: It’s an oldie but a goodie. Studies confirm Vitamin C supplementation meant less colds, other illnesses and days off work.

My top picks:

Honey for a stubborn cough

Elderberry for the flu

Zinc lozenges for the common cold

Garlic for general enhanced immunity

Why look for a natural approach?

The natural approaches listed above prevent or treat a cold by enhancing the immune system and creating a healthier body which as a byproduct limits duration/severity of a cold. Cold and flu tablets don’t treat the cold/flu or limit its duration. Rather they reduce the symptoms of a cold which in the case of a runny nose and coughing is part of your body’s natural mechanism to expel the bacteria or virus. As the above are natural products the risk of side effects is minimal and the cost is often less than pharmaceuticals.

The active ingredient in most cold/flu medication include:

• Paracetamol is an analgesic (pain reliever) and fever reducer. A fever is a natural body response to make it more difficult for invading bacteria to live in. It is only when a fever gets extremely high that it is of major concern.
• Doxylamine is an antihistamine therefore reduces the effects of the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. Doxylamine is also prescribed for insomnia.
• Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the cough reflex in the brain that triggers coughing.
• Pseudoephedrine is a nasal decongestant that works by shrinking blood vessels in the nasal passages. Pseudoephedrine is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding as it can pass into the breast milk. Children especially newborns are more susceptible to adverse side effects of Pseudoephedrine.

Each year in the USA around 7000 children are admitted to the emergency room with adverse effects to cold and flu medication. See more here.

Yours in health,

Dr Caitlin Chew (Chiropractor)

Have you got a sure fire remedy that isn’t on this list? Let me know..

Western hemlock tips – full of Vitamin C, electrolytes and vital energy.

Today it was wet and windy but I had a yearning for evergreen tree tips.  Most evergreen tree tips are packed with Vitamin C and are full of useful electrolytes.  They are antiseptic and anti-catarrhal so are excellent to take when you have a cold.

Maybe I had the beginnings of a cold, I’m not sure, but whatever the reason I really wanted to have fresh conifer tips in my tea so I went off to find some.  I was rewarded in my search by discovering a good patch of Western Hemlock natural regeneration, which had plenty of fresh lime green branch tips which I could gather.  I took a little from each tree so as not to harm any of them.

It is worth gathering some evergreen tree tips and drying them so that you can enjoy them as an infusion throughout the year.  You can choose Spruce, Fir, Douglas Fir or Hemlock.   All of these are power medicines.  Don’t be confused between the tree Hemlock and the poison hemlock which is an Umbellifera.   The tree Western Hemlock is Tsuga heterophylla and is most definitely not poisonous!

When you drink an infusion of these wonderful fragrant citrusy needly wonders you feel as though you are drinking in the vital energy of the tree.  It feels really good, I thoroughly recommend it!

To find out more about Myrobalan Clinic please visit www.myrobalanclinic.com

All you need is…

1. Ginger
2. Lemon
3. Honey
4. And that’s it!

1. Fill up your teakettle and get it boiling.
2. Meanwhile, grate a one-inch piece of fresh ginger root.
3. Get a thermos out. I have a quart thermos I use.
4. Put the ginger in the thermos.
5. Put a dash of lemon juice in the thermos. A dash is about 4 tablespoons. Actually, it’s less of a dash and more of a small splash.
6. Add a dash of honey as well. A dash in this case is about three tablespoons. Hey, a dash means something different to all of us. Basically, add the honey to taste.
7. When your water is boiled, pour it in the thermos.
8. Cover it up and let it sit for 20 minutes.
9. Strain into a tea cup and enjoy!

Alternatives:

If you lack a thermos, you can also just simmer the water in an open pan with the ginger for 15 -20 minutes as well. Add the lemon and honey to the pot AFTER you are finished simmering ginger. Just strain it into your cup. When you want more, just heat it back up. I just like the thermos because when I am sick it’s hard enough just to get up let alone heat something up.

You can vary the amounts as well. Play around so you get a flavor you really like. It tastes great!

- learningherbs.com

Leave a comment below and tell us your home cold and flu remedies!