It’s either day four or day seven into the latest crud going around my office. I don’t know if I can actually count the first three days since I only had a swollen and sore gland in my throat. Now it’s the “full monty” with a runny nose, cough, fatigue, sneezing, and watery eyes. Thank you, fellow co-workers, for sharing.
And no, I don’t want to write a post. Why share the misery? But I made a commitment. To write once a week for a year.
Cold Remedy Number One
So I’m compromising by sharing my two favorite cold remedies. This will be a short post but at least one of these remedies is a real gift. Honestly.
The first is a picture I took from our veranda on our Mediterranean cruise a couple years ago. My slightly guilty secret is that I am an over-the-top cruise fanatic. I can’t help it.
This is of the sunrise – duh! – as we sailed into Santorini’s caldera. It was fabulous. So fabulous I have five distinct images of it. This one is the best because it shows that time just before the sun has actually risen. That time full of the promise of life, of good things to come.
This photo reminds me that there is health just around the corner. Full and shining bright. Yours doesn’t have to be one of a sunrise on the ocean. But it should be one that reminds you of what it feels like to be whole. Look at it. Take it in and remember.
Cold Remedy Number Two
This one is a real remedy in the traditional sense. Something you can drink to warm up and flush out the toxins. It tastes unbelievably good. Don’t let the ingredients fool you.
You need fresh ginger root – the dried powdered stuff will not work. I’ve already tried it. A lemon, some honey, cayenne pepper and water. That’s all.
First, cut off about an inch of the ginger root and peel it. You can use the tip of a regular old spoon to easily take the peel off. Slice it up in about 1/8 of an inch pieces and put them in a small sauce pan. Add about a cup and a half of water, cover and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes over low heat. This makes the tea. You might want to check every so often to make sure that at least a cup of liquid remains.
While the ginger is simmering, add the juice of a half lemon to your favorite mug. To that, add a good sized teaspoon of honey and about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. The amount you uses depends on how much “heat” you can take.
When the ginger root is done simmering, pour the tea through a strainer into your prepared mug. Stir well and then sip. This stuff is awesome and here’s why.
- The honey will soothe your throat and has antibacterial properties
- The cayenne, which tastes really good with lemon and honey, will warm you and helps your body build healthy mucous membranes
- Lemons have vitamin C and are antibacterial and antiviral
- Ginger helps to stimulate mucous secretion, quiets a cough, is antiviral, anti-inflammatory and is excellent for relieving nausea
It is my number one favorite natural remedy for a cold. It’s the liquid version of the sunrise above. It’s so good, I’m stopping now to see if I have any ginger left in my fridge.
