Five Juices and Infusions to Fight Coughs, the Flu or Colds

If you’re sick with any of the symptoms accompanying the flu, a cold, or if you have a cough, medicines aren’t the only thing that can help speed up your recovery, bringing you back to health.  Natural foods help as well.  You can make your own homemade syrups, and within just a matter of time you will be able to do your normal daily activities with the same energy and life as always.

Juices and Infusions to Fight Coughs

1.Onion Syrup

To decongest your nasal passages and to overcome a cough, make a sweet onion syrup.  Just use one stalk from Chinese onion, one tablespoon of honey, and one tablespoon of water.  This mixture will prepare 8 doses.

Directions

Thinly dice your Chinese onion and add it to a pot.  Pour the honey and water over the onion.  Cover the pot and cook on very low heat for 30 minutes.  After that time, remove from heat and allow to cool.

Then take half a tablespoon of this syrup when warm.  Repeat the dose every 15 to 30 minutes until your cough disappears.  You can also store the syrup in an air-tight container in the fridge.

2. Pears with anise and honey

A good recipe for respiratory tract health is prepared with pears, anise and honey.

Take note of everything you need: one pear with the skin, cut into strips, 1/2 tablespoon star anise, crushed, one dried fig, one cup of water, one teaspoon of honey.

Directions

Add the pear, anise and fig (previously hydrated in warm water) in a pot.  Then pour the water over it and allow to cook slowly over low heat for 45 minutes, until the fruit softens.  Add the honey, mix and remove from heat.  Eat the fruit hot to treat a cough.

For this next recipe, you will need a branch of eucalyptus, 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, ginger, two cloves of garlic and one onion.  This is an excellent expectorant remedy.

3. Eucalyptus, garlic, onion and ginger syrup

Directions

Add the brown sugar to a pot and heat over low heat, stirring.  Once it has turned to a caramel, add the water and the remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil for 15 minutes.  drink like water, at least 4 times a day.

4. Citrus juices

For this recipe you will need two oranges, one lemon, and two tablespoons of honey.  This syrup is especially recommended for curing colds and the flu, because it is rich in vitamin C.  This will increase your body’s defenses, thereby preventing respiratory infections.

Directions

Wash your oranges and lemon, then squeeze the juice out of them, emptying it in a glass.  Add the honey to the juice, and you’re all set.  Sip slowly throughout the day.  You may do this once more if you like.

5. Sage and Thyme infusion

The following infusion can be drank like water to improve respiratory tract health.  It has, as a base, 1/3 c. sage leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, 1 2/3 c. water, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons honey and 1 teaspoon powdered pepper.

Directions

Shred the sage and thyme leaves with your hands, then add them to a glass jar and set aside.  Bring the water to a boil on low heat, in a pot.  Once boiling, pour over the herbs and cover.  Let set for at least 30 minutes.  If you would like to drink it, first strain it into a different glass jar and add the honey and apple cider vinegar.  You will need to drink 2 to 3 tablespoons of this infusion at least 3 times a day in order to fight respiratory conditions.

Other preparations

Below, we are going to recommend two other preparations, however they should not be drank.  Use one as a rinse and the other to inhale.

Nasal rinse

If you’re suffering from the flu or a cold, perform a nasal rinse with 1 c. bottled or mineral water, 1/2 Tbsp. salt.

Directions

In a glass jar, pour the water and salt, then mix well and pour the mixture into a small mouth jar.  To use, place one nostril at the same height as the bottle’s mouth and breath.  Do so carefully.  The bottle has to have a very small opening so that you don’t choke or get too much water.  If the liquid enters the entire nasal passage, settle your head backwards so that is flows through your mouth, and spit out.  Do the same with the other nostril.  Repeat 5 times a day to dislodge any mucous from your nostrils.

Eucalyptus concentrate

Make this concentrate with 2 liters of water and 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil.

Directions

Boil water in a pot over medium heat, then carefully pour the contents into a bowl.  Add the eucalyptus essential oil.  To inhale, place your head over the bowl, about 30 cm away, and cover your head wit ha large towel, covering the bowl as well.  Breathe in the steam for 15 minutes.  This will remove chest congestion.  Repeat every time you have problems breathing.

Revised by: Dra. Loredana Lunadei on 05/18/2018

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