top of page
Search

Winter Fires - Folk Remedies for the Lurgy

  • Oct 3
  • 4 min read
ree

Do you, like me, hate taking tablets and medicines and will you do almost anything to avoid popping those pills...?


Here's my recipes for a couple of Fiery Winter Lurgy Busters 🦠


The ingredients in these mixtures have proven benefits on an individual basis and can each be advantageous to your health and wellbeing. For instance, honey is widely known to be anti bacterial, anti microbial and antiseptic. Ginger can be beneficial to the digestive system and turmeric is anti-inflammatory and can help with joint pain. Garlic can fight infections with its antimicrobial properties and also supports the immune system. Onions are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Apples are fighting in support of your immune system and the digestion. Even the humble black pepper has antibacterial properties...


DISCLAIMER: Whilst these remedies may be a long-enduring alternative to orthodox medicine, they're medically unproven by today's standards and definietly NOT a replacement for the advice from your GP - always do your own research before using folk remedies and follow your doctor's advice.


FIRE CIDER


ree

A time-honoured way to soothe cold and flu symptoms, Fire Cider has long been regarded as the go-to winter remedy and it's all made of natural ingredients that you probably already have at home (or can easily get hold of, anyway).


Here's how I make it... I don't particularly measure quantities... I just eyeball it and go with whatever I have lying around...


ree

INGREDIENTS: Apple Cider Vinegar, Local Honey, Whole Black Peppercorns, Apples, Onions, Whole Garlic, Turmeric Root, Ginger Root, Whole Lemon, Hot Chillies, Fresh Rosemary, Fresh Sage


ree

WHAT TO DO WITH THEM:

  • Peel and roughly chop the ginger and turmeric

  • Chop up the chillies, apples and lemons - peel the skin off the onion and chop that the same way

  • Peel and chop the garlic

  • Chop up the herbs and roughly crush and grind the pepper


ree

Put the whole mess into a sealable jar


Add a good couple of dollops of honey and top the entire thing up with the Apple Cider Vinegar until the jar is full.


Seal and store in a dark, cool place for at least 2 weeks... mine came out quite reddish as I used a red onion this time - it's usually a more yellowy colour than this.


ree

After the brewing time is over, you can strain out the liquids using a very fine sieve or a muslin cloth and then decant the liquid into a sealable bottle ready for use! Discard the solids.


TO TAKE: You can use this as a remedy once you're already lurgified or start taking a tablespoon a day once the cold weather starts, as a preventative...

As A Remedy: either take a small shot (or a couple tablespoons) of it neat - get ready... it'll blow your head off - it's SPICY!

OR you can add a couple tablespoons to a small cup of hot lemon water and add some honey to sweeten it.

I just shot it straight cos I'm like that - plus, it feels like it's clearing your pipes when you do it that way... but you do you!


ree

FIRE HONEY


ree

This is ready a lot quicker as you can potentially use it straight away if you're in need... I also find this a lot more helpful to soothe the symptoms of cold as a lovely warming tea.


It's a lot easier to make too!


ree

INGREDIENTS:

250ml local honey, 1tsp ground ginger, 1tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (not pictured as I didn't have any) and 1/2tsp ground black pepper

You can adjust the quantities to suit yourself.


ree

Add the ingredients into a sealable jar and give them a good mix up! That's IT!


ree

Once you've got it to a gooey paste, seal it up and store in a cool dark place for a couple of days - give a good stir a couple of times a day if you remember. It's ready to use almost right away but it's worth giving it 48 hours to really infuse...


ree

I tried it a couple of ways but I found the most tasty (and best for colds) is to use it like you would plain honey to make hot honey and lemon drink... squeeze some fresh lemon into your favourite cup... add the chunks of lemon in too, for good measure. Then dollop an overloaded spoonful of honey in and add hot water!


Keep the spoon handy as the ground bits will settle quickly so it needs a stir every sip unless you want a very gritty ending!!!


So there it is! The two firey remedies I use for the winter... let me know if you make them and what you think...


Remember: ALWAYS DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH... I'm not a medical professional! See your doctor if you're poorly and your symptoms persist.

And MOST importantly, GET SOME REST IF YOU'VE GOT A COLD! That's the best remedy of all.


With Love,

&

Blessed Be,

Cheryl

Comments

bottom of page