24
JANUAM
R YA /RFCEHB/RAUPARRI YL 2 0 1 6
A Cuppa Tea
Herbal teas can help you battle the
common cold
by Jenna Brescher, RDN, LD,
Trilogy Health Services Clinical
Nutrition Team
Mother Nature doesn’t seem
to want to make up her mind this
time of year. Sometimes this takes
a toll on our immune systems and
allergies, making us quite susceptible to colds and the flu. Frequent
hand washing is undoubtedly important when trying to prevent exposure to germs. Perhaps, though,
preparing our bodies to prevent
illness is the most important
thing we can do. Adequate sleep,
physical activity, good nutrition
and hydration and stress management can help keep our immune
systems in shape to battle the bugs
that cause sickness.
However, if you have already
fallen victim to the common cold,
you should know herbal teas have
been used for centuries to remedy
this ailment and everything it
brings with it. Infusing teas with
pantry ingredients that may help
our bodies naturally ward off
symptoms and even improve our
immune systems could have you
healthy again in no time. Here’s a
tried-and-true recipe:
Citrus-Ginger Toddy
• 2 washed lemons, sliced (you
can use 1 lemon and 1 orange)
(vitamin C is immune boosting)
• 2-inch peeled, fresh ginger,
sliced (it combats nausea; helps
with motion sickness)
• 1 cup raw, local honey (soothes
sore throat, improves immune
function with seasonal allergies)
Directions: Layer sliced citrus
and ginger in a 12-ounce airtight
container (glass canning jars work
perfectly), leaving 1 inch until full.
Pour honey over layers. Do not
overfill. Close tightly and store in
refrigerator overnight for up to one
month. Mixt \