“Let thy food be thy medicine”

With the changes of the seasons, people can become susceptible to catching a cold or flu. It is important to take extra vitamin C and vitamin B-complex, to maintain a strong immune system. In the Southern Hemisphere we are slowly but surely getting ready for cold nights, while our “neighbours” in the Northern Hemisphere is getting ready for sunny days.

Wherever you find yourself, here are a few home-made recipes
(by Jason Vale, the UK’s “juice master” and Daniel Jardim, South African nutritionist and cook) for banishing a sore throat, flu- / cold symptoms and body aches; for good!

J’M Sip

Ingredients

1 Golden delicious apple

3 cm chunk fresh ginger root

Method

Juice the apple, ginger and ½ medium lemon (unwaxed).

Pour ½ of it into a mug and top with hot (but not boiling) water.

Add 1 tsp of Manuka honey, stir well and enjoy!

Hot toddy

Ingredients for the basic brew

750ml water

½ cup ginger, washed and sliced

4 to 5 sprigs of fresh thyme

2 garlic cloves, whole

For each cup

2 tbsp lemon juice

1tsp raw honey

Pinch of cayenne pepper

Method

Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil.

Simmer gently for 20 minutes.

Place the lemon, honey and cayenne pepper in a cup for each serving, then strain the tea into the cup and stir until the honey has dissolved.

Enjoy!

Cough syrup

Ingredients

1 turnip, thinly sliced

¼ cup raw honey or brown sugar

Method

Layer a few slices of turnip in a bowl, then sprinkle with sugar or drizzle with honey.

Repeat the layers and allow it to stand for at least 4 hours (the honey or sugar will draw out the expectorant juices).

Take 2 teaspoons of syrup every 1 – 2 hours until the symptoms

Mustard bath

Ingredients

¼ cup English mustard powder

½ cup coarse sea salt

½ cup bicarbonate of soda

Method

Combine all the ingredients and place it in an airtight container.

Use ¼ cup of the mixture in a bath – soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

Please note that if symptoms persist and get worse, see a practitioner!