I have my first cold of this winter season. I’m actually doing well, my first two winters in Washington I was sick all the time. It’s not a terrible cold, but enough that it’s hard to enjoy myself doing much of anything. Let’s me catch up on my blog reading though!
Anyway, I couldn’t sleep well because of the congestion, so I got up to make myself some ginger tea. I’m no expert in homeopathic treatments, but I definitely learned a few living in Hawaii. One was this tea. I believe ginger is thought to be an expectorant (gets rid of phlegm, ugh I hate even the word). I often make myself warm honey lemon water for sore throats, so this does double duty.
Grate about an inch of fresh ginger root and put it into your tea steeper (we have a very cool laser mesh from Eric’s dad). Steep in hot water for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile mix some honey and lemon juice in your cup. The ginger will be very strong so you want a good bit of honey.
Also meanwhile, eat a cookie to make you feel better 🙂 My good friend Colleen gave us these yummy cookies for Christmas. They’re so good! She said they’re basically chocolate cookie dough with Andes Peppermint Chips. I think this is probably the recipe and will have to give it a try.
Remove your steeper and pour ginger tea into cup. Mix well, be warned that the ginger causes rather a burning sensation to the mouth and throat, but afterward my throat and congestion were much better and I was able to fall asleep.
I’ve also used a mustard and onion chest compress, neti pot, and steamy showers. Anyone else have any home remedies for me to try?
ginger tea, nice tip! I’ll have to remember this when I feel a cold coming on.
Similar to the advice the doctor gave me when I caught a cold just after I was getting over the strep. He had me make a mixture of ginger, honey, and black pepper. I gave it up after a day because I couldn’t take the burning! Also snorting warm saltwater into each nostril 3 times and blowing it back out. NOT PLEASANT! But it does help relieve the symptoms. 🙂
Absolutely Megan, though hopefully you can avoid those colds altogether!
Sundancer, I’d suggest a neti pot, it’s a little less uncomfortable than the snorting. One thing I miss about Hawaii is I’d just go swimming when I was sick and the ocean would clear me right out!
ohhh, i missed this and missed you being sick, diana. but i love this post, and i love your suggestions for natural remedies. the neti pot is sort of gnarly, but it gets the job done. i always feel better immediately.
as for the ginger tea with honey, you KNOW we’re all fans here. in fact, we drink it even when we’re not feeling sick. it’s a good stomach settler, too btw.
cheers, diana, throw a hot lemon ginger back for me!
I will Cate, and I totally agree the neti pot’s gnarly. It helps so much, but one time I put in too much salt and thought my head was going to explode!