No matter how healthy our lifestyle is, it seems that we can’t escape from the common cold, especially in the winter. Below is my recipe for a super powerful cold remedy that will help relieve the usual symptoms such as runny nose, cough and sore throat. With just a few ingredients, you can easily make this healing remedy at home. The key ingredient in this “potion” is the Apple Cider Vinegar, which has some truly amazing health benefits.
While Lemsip and other easily accessible paracetamol medicines are the preferred choice for most people when they catch a cold, I find that often they don’t have an effect or don’t really speed up my recovery. This of course is my personal experience and it might not apply to you.
In general, I don’t like taking drugs unless I feel really ill so I always look for natural remedies that can help with any health problems that are not so serious. I have read a lot about different natural flu remedies and I have tried quite a few, some are very helpful, some not so much. This winter, I was “lucky” to catch a cold about 2-3 times, which was more than usual so I decided to combine the 4 most effective natural remedies in one truly effective cold remedy. For a week, I was having it twice a day and just after the first one, I instantly felt a relief. Since then I still make this “potion” occasionally, just as a preventive measure as it has some powerful antibacterial properties.
I can’t promise that your cold will magically disappear, but it will definitely help relieve the symptoms, especially if you are suffering from a throat congestion like I did. It feels like the ACV in this cold remedy immediately kills any bad stuff from the back of your throat and gets rid of the congestion to help you breathе more easily. Here is some more information about the health benefits of each of the ingredients of this natural cold remedy:
Apple Cider Vinegar
The main substance in vinegar, acetic acid, can kill bacteria and prevent them from multiplying and reaching harmful levels. This is why it is extremely helpful with throat infections and sinus blockage as most germs can’t survive in the acidic environment the vinegar creates. The ACV is claimed to have some other amazing health benefits although many of them haven’t been supported by science. For example it has been proven to improve the insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose, which is crucial for people with type 2 diabetes. It can also help with weight loss. Find out more about the proven health benefits of ACV here.
Honey
Although many consider honey unhealthy because of it’s high levels of fructose, it is much more than just sugar and it shouldn’t be forgotten as a home remedy. It contains various antioxidants, which have a great overall effect on our health. Honey has medicinal properties and the power to kill some bacteria, which is why it can also help with sore throat.
Lemon
Lemons also contain a type of naturally occurring acid, citric acid, which has strong antibacterial and anti-viral properties. Lemons are also a source of many other important nutrients. Often lemon and other citrus fruits are used as natural food preservatives because they prevent the growth of different bacteria. This is why orange is one of the ingredients for my 3 ingredient Spelt protein bread recipe.
Ginger
I already mentioned some of the great health benefits of ginger in my last post for this super energising Carrot Ginger Beta-carotene smoothie recipe, but I will add a few more here. The gingerols contained in the ginger have some very impressive medicinal properties that can help with various health problems, including the flu as it has anti-inflammatory effects. Ginger has been proven to help with other problems such as nausea, high blood sugar and even menstrual pain. No wonder people call it the healthiest spice on the planet!
So imagine all this natural power in one drink! Don’t worry about the taste of the vinegar, it’s not that strong when it’s combined with the honey. If you want to make it taste better you can always add your favourite tea bag, I like to add mint tea to my one.
As with other remedies, you have to be consistent and drink it more than just once, two times a day should be enough. I am not a doctor and if your symptoms are more serious, you should always consult with your doctor. This home remedy potion has been really effective for me and some of my friends. Even if you don’t feel like it is helping with your cold, remember that it is still an extremely powerful immune system booster that can only be great for your health.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- juice from half a lemon
- 1/2 cm / 0.2" grated fresh ginger (you can always add more if you want)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients in a large cup and fill the rest of the it with warm water (do not add hot water as the high temperature will destroy some of the nutrients).