I can’t believe I’m back in Canada. It’s almost as if I never left, but also at the same time, I’m missing the presence of two brilliant Brazilian women. I mentioned in my last post that Thaicia made this amazing tea that helped me get better in no time. I hate taking medicine and avoid it whenever possible, so when the time arises when I need cold/flu medicine or ibuprofen, I always try to use alternative medicines to make me feel better.
My philosophy is that there’s a reason why I’m getting a headache or sick, so I try to logically “cure” whatever ailments I have naturally. Headache because I didn’t sleep enough or dehydrated? Go to bed earlier and drink some water. Sick from certain foods I ate? Dilute my system with water and have some gingerale.
If and when I take a pill, it’s because I’m in dire need of immediate relief or I’m just so sick that it’s time for desperate measures. Luckily for me, whatever sickness I have right now is mostly in the throat/nose/sinus region, so lots of fluids, rest, and this magical concoction, and I’m good to go.
These are the gist of the ingredients that are required for Thaicia’s traditional cold remedy. The only thing not depicted is honey, because my jar was almost empty and didn’t look nice. Ginger for soothing the throat, garlic for the immune system, lemon for vitamin C and boosting immune system, cinnamon for both deflammatory and immune system needs, honey for its antibacterial properties and for soothing the throat.
Boiling the ginger, garlic, and cinnamon together gives you an infused tea that is then mixed with lemon juice and honey for a soothing, remedial tea. And it tastes delicious.
Each batch makes just under 2 cups of tea, and I recommend drinking all of it combined with staying warm and drinking water throughout the day. When Thaicia made it, she made a litre of it and gave everyone a cup, but she also made extra big batches for us when we needed more than one cup. Also, if you feel extremely sick, don’t be afraid to increase the amount of ingredients for a more concentrated brew. It’ll be really strong to taste, but hey, it works.
As for my lovely vegans out there who do not consume honey, I recommend agave nectar or even maple syrup, or even just leaving it out completely. It will definitely taste a bit more medicinal, but as Mary Poppins says, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” Honey also has anti-bacterial properties that other substitutes may lack, but it’s up to you.
Personally I love me a little local raw honey. I recommend steering clear of commercialized honeys that have been stripped of honey’s beautiful properties. Local and raw is how I like it. Better for you, better for the smaller apiaries, and better for the bees!
If you have any other ideas for a traditional cold remedy, I would love to hear them! As someone who hates using pharmaceuticals, I’m all ears when it comes to natural remedies that work =)
Thaicia's Ginger Tea Cold Remedy
A cold remedy taught by traditional healers to my friend Thaicia. It's filled with great ingredients with healing properties for those who don't want to use Western medicines to relieve a cold.
Ingredients
- 2 inches of ginger, sliced thinly (transverse/diagonal slices)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon or 3 cinnamon sticks
- 3-6 garlic cloves, sliced thinly transverse/diagonal slices
- 2 cups water
- 2 lemons, juiced (juice of 1 lemon per serving)
- 2 heaping tbsp of raw honey (1 tbsp per serving)
- Optional: 1 scant tsp propolis (if you use propolis, make sure you wash your utensils and cups immediately because it can stain)
Instructions
- In a kettle or a covered pot, boil ginger, cinnamon (or cinnamon sticks), and sliced garlic for about 15 minutes.
- In the cups, stir together the lemon juice and raw honey until the honey has dissolved.
- Pour 1 cup of the boiled ginger and garlic (don't eat the ginger/garlic stuff unless you reaaaally want to get better) into the two cups full of lemon and honey.
- If you are using propolis add a scant 1/2 tsp to each cup and stir quickly. Drink immediately and wash the cup as soon as possible because the propolis will stain the cup.
- Drink both servings if you're really sick. Rest well, keep hydrated and stay warm, and you'll get better in no time =)
Kristin says
Neat! I know someone who has a sinus infection at the moment and I wonder if this will do the trick. We’re not really keen on western medicine, esp. for this type of thing.
Ty for posting!!
K-
Lisa Mai says
I’m not sure it’ll do enough for a sinus infection because infections are generally bacterial and severe infections generally require antibiotics =P But it doesn’t hurt that’s for sure!
Crystal says
I just want to say as a girl that has bad allergies and get sick often I make a tea similar to this which has garlic bay leaf cinnamon sticks ginger lemon and honey. It’s the best.
Savannah says
Thanks for the recipe. Made this today since I’ve had a bit of a cold for the past few days. In the hours since I’ve drank it, I feel pretty well! It’s nice and warm and soothing on my poor throat. I might need to make it one more time, but hopefully I keep feeling well.
Lisa Mai says
Glad to hear it! I hope you feel better soon Savannah =)
Amanda says
I used about 1/4 cup of powdered ginger since I didn’t have any raw on hand. I’m sweating like crazy but I feel better already. As a teacher in a childcare center I’m sick pretty regularly so I’ll definitely be using this one again. I’m excited to share it with my coworkers too! :)
Lisa Le says
Yay, glad to hear it! Feel better soon =)
Joli says
A friend studying here in the US recommened this to me; and boy does it work! I didn’t have any lemons but an orange half made a great substitute. I get colds often because of my asthma, so this is great! Definitely my go-to from now on.
Joli says
A friend from Thailand studying in the US told me about this the other day. I have asthma and often get colds; so this is absolutely great! I used Orange instead of lemon but it didn’t seem to impact it too much. This is great, i will make it again! Thanks!
Lisa Le says
Hi Debbie, since it’s not really medicinal, I’ve downed the entire batch before without any issues. I’m not a doctor, but I usually just drink a batch and then continue drinking water. The next day I keep doing that until I feel better. Rest up and let your body heal =)
Mary Giuffrida says
I made this last night and it was delicious. I felt as though I might be getting sick – headache and very fatigued. I feel much better today. Question – can I drink the tea several days in a row if I feel that my immunity is down??
Lisa Le says
Whenever I get sick I drink it each night until I feel better. Listen to your body, if you find that it’s too acidic for your body, you’ll feel it =P
Mary Giuffrida says
Thank you for your reply! I’m sending this to friends who are coming down with the flu!
Paul says
I have been using your recipe when I’m sick since I found this in 2014. I have it bookmarked (should write it down haha).
But I finally wanted to say thank you since this brew has helped me heal quicker many times !
Cheers
Stormie says
This is perfect for me being a kidney transplant patient I have to be very careful about ingredients. Thank you for this recipe, I’ve suffered with the flu (off and on) for the past 3 months and I pray for just a little bit of relief. Thanks you so much.
The Truth Bringer says
Here’s a REALLY important tip. YOU NEED to smash garlic and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. You can check scientific studies about this but there is a chemical reaction that occurs when you smash garlic that requires an enzyme within garlic. If you heat garlic before doing this the enzyme is destroyed and the reaction stops. The reaction that is created within the garlic is what makes Garlic healthy.(the enzyme alliinase creates allicin). Allicin is the compound that makes garlic incredibly healthy. Some studies say that it takes 45 minutes, other’s I have read that 15 minutes is needed. The fact of the matter is DO NOT take fresh garlic and heat it if you want to retain all of the health benefits.
Ice says
What happens when i don’t freeze the leftover
Lisa Le says
Either you drink the rest of it or it’ll go bad over time?
Gie says
Can you reheat leftover?
Lisa Le says
Probably? I haven’t ever tried to myself though.
Deann Lain says
Woweewee! Woke up this morning with headache, sore throat, fever of 100.5 and chills. I ran to Pinterest and here we are. This STUFF really works. Made a enough for two cups at 9am . Sipped for about 20 minutes ate some chicken noodle soup. By 12noon my throat was not as sore. The congestion in my head began to run out like a faucet. My fever subsided and my chills gone.
Its 7:15 pm and I’m having another two cups. I feel sooooooo much better. It’s not often I stop and make comments what I made on Pinterest, BUT I HAD TOO BECAUSE IT REALLY WORKS!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR POST….?
Lisa Le says
Very glad you’re feeling better, stay healthy out there!