Instructions
Each year when cold and flu season approaches I stock up on my winter allies. Even in Hawaii the winter is the rainy season and we have less sun (and therefor less Vitamin D), and we get a lot of tourists coming from the cold mainland. These are my favorite winter remedies:
Fire Cider – Take 1 TBSP preventatively or 3 TBSP at first signs of cold or flu.
Fermented Honey Garlic – I use this all winter long as a salad dressing. Also at the first signs of cold I’ll eat a whole garlic clove.
Ginger & Lemon tea – Grate or chop ginger, pour boiling water over and allow to steep for about 10 minutes. Squeeze in juice of half a lemon. Drink morning and evening during cold and flu season.
Lemon and ginger is a powerful combination supporting immunity and helping to ease colds and flus. When eaten together (or separately for that matter!) they offer anti-oxidant support to the body, and improve lipid metabolism. The lemon alone can influence metabolic and renal pathways supporting health.
Clove Buds – I chew on clove buds to protect me from viral hitchhikers while I teach. Clove is fire medicine heating you up when you are cold, improving circulation, vitality, and energy. Rich in eugenol clove is a powerful anti-oxidant and immune booster. And I love its name contains a hidden truth C-Love See Love everywhere 🙂
Aromatic Herbal Pastilles – These can be taken preventatively, for example I make a batch and take them with me whenever I travel. They can also be used during a cold or flu to ease the symptoms and shorten the duration. They help to clear mucus from the lungs.
Breathing Salve Chest Rub – This salve contains inula — a powerful mucolytic. I use it whenever I feel any congestion in my chest whether it be from a cold or vog it is helpful in expectorating. And can be used preventatively when traveling or during winter months.
Chai herbal tea – Warming and immune boosting chai tea, perfect for rainy days and cold mornings.
I make this each morning in the winter: 2 cinnamon sticks, 1/2-1″ ginger, sliced, a few slices turmeric, 1 tsp cardamom seeds, 4-5 black peppercorns, 1 clove, 1-2 star anise pods. Put all ingredients in a small pot, add 4 cups water and boil for 10 minutes. Optional: add black tea and let steep for 3 minutes. Remove black tea. Add optional honey or milk.
Travel – Whenever I travel anytime of year I always take my immunity travel kit –and use it! Viral Away We Go kit