The holiday season is here, it’s dark and cold outside, and we spend more time inside, socializing with friends and family.
It’s the season to be jolly; and to spread influenza and other cold viruses.
Here are some of my favorite flu fighting remedies:
Herbal Chicken Broth
Homemade Chicken Soup is a must in my flu fighting arsenal. I prepare a simple stock from my own chickens ahead of time, and freeze it to have on hand when needed.For store bought chicken, buy an organically raised, or a free range bird. Please choose not to purchase factory raised chickens.
To prepare the broth, simmer the whole chicken in water, a large soup pot with a pinch of salt, a few whole peppercorns, a bay leaf, 1 celery stalk, and 1 carrot, for many hours on low heat. Strain the broth into freezer proof containers and freeze. The cooked chicken remains can be used in the preparation of other chicken dishes, and/or feed to your cats or dogs.
I keep the stock broth very simple with just a few ingredients, so that I can add more when I make the actual soup.
For flu fighting chicken soup I like to choose from the following selection:
- culinary mushrooms, such as: Shitake, Chanterelle, Lobster, Maitake, Bolete
- seaweeds, such as: Nori, Wakame
- herbs, such as: Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano, Bay, Sage
- dried vegetable flakes
- fresh vegetables: carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broccoli
Hot Water Flu Drink
I drink many of these throughout the day when I’m sick:
- 1 cup of hot water
- 1 tablespoon of Lemon or Lime juice
- 1 tablespoon of honey
Stir and drink hot.
Sore Throat Gargle
- gargle as much as possible with a strong sage tea infusion at the first onset of a sore throat. If you can handle it, add a dash of good quality salt to this. If you don’t have Sage herb on hand to make a tea, you can instead add 1-2 drops of Sage essential oil to 4 oz of hot water.
Cough Soother
Mix together:
- 1 table spoon of Vegetable glycerine
- 1 shotglass of good quality, 40% alcohol, such as Whiskey or Brandy
- 1 shotglass of hot water
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 tablespoon of fresh Lemon juice
Drink hot before you wish to go to sleep.
Tried and proven
Mom is right: It does help to wash your hands regularly, and to keep all commonly shared surfaces clean during flu season. Stay well!
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