How to Make a Cold and Flu Fighting Tonic

Coming down with something? Give your immune system a boost and your taste buds a treat with this quick and easy tonic.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fresh ginger
• 2 green tea bags
• 2 c hot water
• 2/3 c frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1. Peel and slice a one inch piece of fresh ginger. The thinner the slices, the better. Cover with hot water (heat it in the microwave or on the stove, your choice.) Ginger has weak antiviral and antibacterial properties. The spicy scent helps clear blocked nasal passages. And, if you're nauseous, it will tame your tummy troubles.

2. Add green tea bags, and steep for 5-7 minutes. Green tea has been shown to have antioxidant properties that are good for general health.

3. Strain into mug. I use a big glass beer stein.

4. Stir in orange juice concentrate. Make sure it's 100% juice with plenty of vitamin C, not an imitation "orange drink." Vitamin C is a popular folk remedy that many people swear by for getting rid of colds and flu. And, surprisingly, hot orange juice is very soothing on a sore throat.

5. Drink slowly. You should be feeling better in no time!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you use only fresh ginger! The dried, ground version is much less potent, and won't dissolve completely. The texture is unpleasant, to say the least.
• Use only frozen orange juice concentrate, not the canned, unrefrigerated version. The extremely high heat used to process canned goods eliminates most, if not all of the vitamin C in them.

[brantsbabe]

on 12/6/2008 Wow, this might just be the key to surviving those winter colds. Thanks!!!