Herbal Teas for Colds and Flu

Ingredients

Hot Ginger Lemonade

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 3 (1/4-inch) slices fresh ginger root, bruised
• 1/2 of a fresh lemon
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon powdered cayenne pepper

Cooling Blend

• 1 teaspoon crushed dried rose hips
• 1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
• 1 cup water, barely boiled

Instructions

Hot Ginger Lemonade

1. Bring water to a boil in a glass or stainless steel pan.
2. Meanwhile, hit each ginger root slice gently with the broad side of a knife to break up the pulp a bit. Put the ginger in the boiling water and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, Squeeze the juice from the lemon into a cup. Add the honey and cayenne.
4. Strain the ginger tea in to the cup, stir and sip slowly while hot.

Cooling Blend

Place the herbs in a teapot. Pour the boiling water over the herbs, cover and steep for 10 minutes.

Strain and sweeten with honey to taste. Sip slowly while warm.

Notes

For the Hot Ginger Lemonade, you may add an ounce of brandy to your bedtime dose to help ease you into sleep.

In the Cooling Blend, the rose hips deliver a large dose of vitamin C, while peppermint and sage have a cooling effect on the system. This tea is particularly helpful with feverish colds. And it tastes good!