I’ve been sidelined the last little while by a nasty lingering cold.
This is a magical concoction that has been making me feel a lot more present, and a lot more well, so that most of day to day life still gets managed even though I’m not feeling my regular bubbly self. Last week was extra yucky because the cold came on the same day as I hurt my knee. I was a hobbling, coughing mess and felt pretty darn pathetic. With lots of rest, ice for my knee and a sweet Mr to help me feel better, I’m certainly mostly mended now.
Hopefully all my regularly planned for events: work, wedding planning and ahem… blog posts will go back to their appointed schedules!
This steamy cup of pick-me-up includes:
- Echinacea, a common herbal remedy used for fighting colds.
- Lemon for Vitamin C to improve immune function. Yay citrus!
- Honey, which is full of antioxidants and antimicrobials, soothes a sore throat.
- Ginger to reduce fever, soothe the throat and help you rest.
- Cinnamon as an additional antioxidant, used in China as a remedy for the cold.
- Cayenne, a stimulant, to warm and ease pain.
It all comes together to make a heady cup of tea, but a potent treatment is what you need for a potent cold.
Cold Conquering Cordial
1 bag of echinacea tea (echinacea tea might be difficult to find, if you can’t get it try camomile!)
2 C boiling water
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp grated ginger
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of cayenne
Directions
- Use the boiled water and the tea bag to brew a pot of echinacea tea, allowing it to steep for five minutes.
- Assemble the remaining ingredients and stir them together.
- Pour the prepared tea over top.
- Sip your cold away. Fantastic.
Cups of this have been keeping me moving this week. It helps a craggy, froggy throat feel more like itself. I’ve got a rather high up, squeaky voice. When I’ve got a sore throat I sound ridiculous, my voice cracks and pitches something awful. Anything that helps with that situation is really appreciated. The heat from the cayenne and the steam from the tea help unplug your nose too!
If you’re having some trouble conquering your cold, you should try a nice warm cup of cold conqueror. Every little bit helps!
This time last year: Fudge Drop Cookies
And the year before: Cinnamon Bacon Buns
And the year before that: Buckwheat Honey Madeleines