A very special welcome to the
Edinburgh Honey Co team who share 4 traditional remedies, passed through generations of their family to treat your cold and boost your immune system. You can knock them up at home using their delicious, unfiltered honey.
Treat your cold at home
Bugs, illness and sore throats are a given, and it isn't fun. The combination of body aches, fever, chills, and nasal congestion can be enough to make anyone miserable. there are tried and tested home remedies that can alleviate your symptoms and get you back to normal.
If you still feel sick after a few weeks, make an appointment with your doctor. If you have trouble breathing, have a rapid heartbeat, feel faint, or experience other severe symptoms, get medical help sooner.
Keep reading to see what cold and flu remedies you can conjure up at home.
Why honey is good for you and what nutrition it offers
According to Dr Natalia G Vallianou of Evangelismos General Hospital in Athens, Greece, honey's antibacterial potentials have been proved, even against multi-drug resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacterbaumanni.
Honey mainly consists of sugars and water.
Apart from sugars, honey also contains several vitamins, especially B complex and vitamin C, together with a lot of minerals.
Some of the vitamins found in honey include ascorbic acid, pantothenic acid, niacin and riboflavin; while minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc are also present.
Hot Toddy Recipe - Linden Honey with whisky and hot water
50ml whisky
3 teaspoons of Linden Honey
1 cinnamon stick, snapped in half
1 lemon, half juiced and half sliced
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To make the Hot Toddy:
1. Whisk the whisky and honey together and split between 2 heatproof glasses.
2. Add half of the cinnamon stick to each glass, then top up with 200ml boiling water.
3. Add a splash of lemon juice to each glass, then taste and add more to your preference.
4. Finish each glass with a slice of lemon, studded with a clove, and serve immediately.
For the extra boost, you can add a teaspoon of bee pollen, which is also known to boost the immune system.
Dry Cough Syrup
Forest Honey Infusion for a seasonal flu remedy drink
This homemade antimicrobial drink is made needs only 3 store cupboard ingredients: forest honey, ginger, and lemon.
3/4 cup of Forest Honey
3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger
1/4 cup of lukewarm water
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To make the Dry Cough Syrup:
1. Mix the honey with the lemon juice and ginger.
2. Slowly add the water.
3. Transfer the mixture to an empty jar and let it refrigerate for 24 hours.
4. Take 1-2 teaspoons every day in the evening to soothe your throat before resting.
Wet Cough Syrup
Buckwheat Honey Infusion for strengthening your immunity.
400g of Buckwheat Honey
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To make the Wet Cough Syrup:
1. Dice the onions and put them into an empty jar.
2. Pour in the honey and stir gently.
3. Infuse the remedy for 24 hours.
4. Take 1 tablespoon of it 2 or 3 times a day after meals but not before you sleep as this will help to cough out the mucus.
Homemade Immunity Booster
Forest Honey Infusion to take regularly in the colder months.
1/2 cup of Forest Honey
2 lemons (juiced and zested)
6 cloves, crushed or finely diced
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To make the Immunity Booster:
1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and transfer to a jar. 2. Refrigerate for 72 hours before use.
3. Proactively take 1 spoon a day during the colder months. When you have a cold you can take a spoonful 2-3 times a day (but for kids over 1year old, no more than twice a day).
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Keep well! Andy, Marta and the Bees.
