5 Kickass Ways To Fight Cold

With monsoon on head, come lots of diseases, or we can say seasonal diseases. One of the most common thing that we have to fight with is Cold. The fluctuation in temperature leads to cold and blockage of nose, and with that comes body ache and many more issues.

# Hot Ginger Tea

The ginger is delicious, warming, a just a little spicy. Aromatic constituents such as capsicum (found in chilies) or piperine (found in black pepper) are part of a family of compounds that provide numerous healing benefits. The tea itself is wonderful for you because you’re getting extra fluids, which your body needs desperately when fighting off an illness, and breathing in the steam vapors can also help loosen up any congestion you may be expecting.

- 6-8 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger root
- A pinch of cinnamon (optional)
- A squirt of lemon juice (optional)
- A dash of honey (optional)
- 4 cups of freshly boiled water
- A glass jar (at least 1 quart)

- Place the ginger in a 1 quart glass and sprinkle in some cinnamon if you are using it.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil, and then carefully pour it into the jar to cover the ginger. Steep for 30-40 minutes, and be sure to cover your jar-this is important because it keeps all that evaporating essential oil goodness right where it belongs-in your cup! Strain (use hot mitts or a towel as the jar may still be quite warm) and then pour yourself a piping fresh mug.
- You may find that you want to reheat the tea slightly.
- Add honey and lemon if you are using them, sip and savor, and be sure to breathe in the steam.
- Store the rest of the tea in the fridge for up to 24 hours, reheating and drinking 3 times throughout the day.

# Steam

One beautiful almost instant fix for a stuffy nose is to steam it out. This is a favorite remedy of mine and worth repeating in numerous remedy lists.

- 5-10 drops of eucalyptus, tea tree oil, or a combination
- A heatproof bowl
- Boiling water
- A towel


- Put the essential oils in the bottom of the bowl and then pour in several cups of boiling water. - Start by putting your face over the bowl at a comfortable distance-steam can do some damage if you aren’t careful.
- Eventually have your face directly about the bowl as close as comfortably possible.
- Drape the towel over your head to trap all that healing steam, and take deep breaths. - Resurface as needed if you become too warm. Have some tissues handy to blow your nose after!
- Repeat 2-3 times daily, adjusting the amount of essential oil to your preferences.
- Some people find that too much will make their eyes water, so start with less.

# Honey-Onion Syrup

- The honey is wonderful for healing a sore throat while the onion works its wonders through antibacterial and anti-inflammatories actions. It can also help loosen up phlegm deep in the chest.

- Red onion/garlic
- Honey
- Brown sugar/white sugar

- Slice the onion evenly. Place the base of the onion in your jar, and then pour honey in a layer over it (or cover in a layer of sugar, if that’s your sweetener of choice.) Continue to alternate layering the onion and sweetener.
- When you’re finished, cover tightly and let it sit overnight out on the counter, or for 8-12 hours.
- After it has sat out, there will now be liquid in the jar. Use a spoonful as needed to control your cough (3 spoonful’s an hour, if needed.)
- You can use both the honey and brown sugar if you like, just adjust the layering accordingly, and remember that it will be sweeter!
- If you choose to use garlic, unlike onion, there is no exact amount to put in. Start with 9-12 cloves or so roughly chopped and find your flavor balance from there.
- Just remember you shouldn’t use too little; otherwise it won’t work as well.

# Mullein

Mullein is a biennial (grows every other year) plant that can be found alongside roads in temperate climates.

- 1-2 tablespoons of dried mullein OR 4-6 tablespoons fresh (flowers or flowers/leaves)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons of dried thyme OR 5 teaspoons fresh
- 1-1 ½ cups of fresh water
- Honey/lemon to taste

- Place your herbs in a large mug and bring water to a rolling boil.
- Pour over the herbs and cover, steeping for 15-20 minutes. Strain, stir in honey or lemon if you’re using it, and savor each healing sip.
- Drink 2-3 times daily to help clear up congestion.

# Herbal Syrup

- 1 tablespoon licorice root
- 1 tablespoon marshmallow root
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon OR 6 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon chopped ginger
- 4 cups of water
- 1 cup of organic raw honey
- Strainer
- Glass jar with a tightly sealing lid

- Mix together the herbs, cinnamon, and ginger and then add it to a saucepan along with 4 cups of cold water.
- Over low heat simmer the mixture until it has been reduced by half.
- Strain the herbs and then pour the liquid back into the pot. Over the lowest level of heat stir in the honey and let it sit, bubbling gently, for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and bottle, being sure to label the date you made the batch on.
- Take a maximum of 1-2 tablespoons 3 times daily for relief from coughing, sore throat, and congestion.
- In the refrigerator this will last for 3-4 weeks.