When I was about one, I got sick with a bad case of bronchitis, so much so that the doctors warned my mom about the worst case scenario. Ukrainian hospitals at the time were not up to par with American ones so I’m sure I was not treated the way I should’ve been. I had a bad cough and persistent fever and was in the hospital for a long time. Thankfully, the bronchitis eventually went away but as a result I still have a weak immune system and get sick way more than the average person, despite eating plenty of vegetables and drinking green drinks. And whenever I get sick, my first line of defense is always ginger tea.
Ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and provides natural sore throat relief like nothing else. Aside from being a warm drink, which provides some relief on its own, ginger’s spiciness works like magic to cure a scratchy throat and swollen tonsils. Ginger is also cheaper (about $3 per pound), more effective and tastier than any cough drop you can buy. However, if your sore throat is caused by a serious virus and not just a simple cold, ginger tea will only temporarily soothe your throat and you may need to see a doctor. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory power has also been known to ease indigestion, nausea, joint pain and menstrual cramps. It also stimulates circulation and sweating, which can help break a fever and detox the blood.
I am in no way a medical professional but I can honestly vouch for the efficacy of this method. So next time you’re in need of sore throat relief, drink ginger tea instead of reaching for some sugary throat candy. I like it on its own but if the taste is too strong for you, sweeten the tea with honey or agave.
How to make ginger tea: Peel and finely dice 1″ of fresh ginger. Place ginger into a mug and cover with boiling water. Cover the mug with a small saucer or plate and steep for about 10 min. Uncover and strain if desired. Stir in honey if desired and drink.
Do you know of any other natural cold cures?
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