26 Mar Two Flu-Fighting, Wellness-Boosting Drink Recipes

It’s that time of year again when sniffles, sneezes and scratchy throats abound. Time to give your body’s natural defences a helping hand, with one of these easy-to-make flu-fighting drinks. These spicy tonics have great immune-boosting, detoxing and alkalising properties, to keep you fighting fit throughout ‘flu season. Mix them up and drink a toast to winter wellbeing.

Note: The recipes below are for single servings; simply double or triple the quantities to make a round of ‘flu-fighting shots or turmeric tonics for you and your family.

Hot ‘Flu-Fighting Shot:

This concentrated lemon and ginger shot should be taken at the first signs of a cold. The dash of cayenne pepper adds a little heat!

Ingredients:

• 1 whole fresh lemon
• 1” piece fresh ginger root
• ½tsp cayenne pepper

Method:

• Juice the lemon and the ginger.
• Stir in the cayenne pepper.
• Serve in a shot glass; knock back in one gulp!

How it Works:

Ginger is a warming spice that relieves the aches and pains associated with colds or ‘flu. It eases nausea and relieves an upset stomach. Ginger is also an expectorant, meaning it works to break up mucous in the lungs.

Lemon is rich in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system. Lemon juice also has an alkalising effect on the body, which promotes better overall wellbeing and makes it harder for viruses and bacteria to thrive.

Cayenne pepper is a great detoxing agent, which helps to remove toxins by stimulating the digestive and lymphatic systems. This red-hot remedy is rich in a substance called capsaicin, which relieves pain and inflammation. Like ginger, cayenne also helps to break up congested mucous; and it’s an anti-irritant, ideal for soothing scratchy throats.

Tip: Why not serve your ‘flu-fighting shots in our stylish natural Himalayan salt glasses? These beautiful crystal salt cups add a subtle salty flavour to their contents, along with trace minerals.

Tangy Turmeric-Lemon Tonic

A great preventative drink designed to keep winter bugs at bay.

Ingredients:

• 1½ cup filtered water
• ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1tsp ground organic turmeric
• ½tsp ground cinnamon
• 1Tbsp coconut nectar

Method:

• Stir or blend all ingredients together.
• Serve in a tall glass & drink immediately.

How it Works:

Lemon juice is alkalising, helping to balance the body’s pH and ward off illnesses like colds and ‘flu. The high vitamin C content also gives your immune system a little more “oomph”.

Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory, providing relief from joint pain and body aches. It’s antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal; plus it’s another powerful source of vitamin C and disease-fighting antioxidants.

Cinnamon is another excellent anti-inflammatory; like turmeric, this spice also has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Cinnamon stimulates the digestion, circulation and metabolism, helping to kickstart your system when you’re feeling slow and sluggish. It also helps to ease joint pain and headaches.

Coconut nectar is an all-natural, low-GI sweetener that dissolves easily into your mixture; it’s a source of vitamin C and amino acids.