What’s your go-to recipe for getting rid of a cold?
Plenty of fluids?
Bowls of chicken noodle or tomato soup?
Sleeping more with extra blankets?
Fasting?

Well, medical professionals believe one or all of the above Rxs work,
but you may also want to add another Rx that’s been around for about
a century.

What is it?
A Hot Toddy!

It’s not just a folktale: a hot toddy really can cure your cold and may even
prevent you from getting sick to begin with.

Still not convinced?
Look below for the ingredients and how they work together to help you get
over your illness and keep you cold and flu-free.

a) Black Tea-
Any cup of something steaming can help ease cold symptoms like congestion
by clearing your airways, but black tea benefits you in a number of ways, like
shielding you against illness-causing viruses, bacteria and fungi.
Plus, tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that activates immune system cells,
increasing infection-fighting interferon in your bloodstream.
As for coffee drinkers, there’s no change in interferon levels at all.

b) Honey-
If you remember honey and lemon from Grandma, you’re not alone,
many Grandmas used this to ease a sore throat or the stuffiness and congestion
in your throat and nasal passages. Today, raw honey is as effective as the active
ingredient in most over-the-counter cough suppressants.
Honey is packed with enzymes and antioxidants that fortify the immune system,
plus antibacterials that shut down germs. Honey’s thick consistency coats and soothes
sore and irritated throats, relieving inflammation to help you sleep better.
Important tip:
Give kids ages 1 to 6, 1/2 tsp. of honey before bed, older kids 1 tsp. and kids older
than 14 can take 2 tsp. before bed. Children under 1 should never consume honey
due to potential botulism risk.

c) Lemon Juice-
Knocks out cold germs.
Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, which benefits your immune system in
a number of ways. Lemon’s contain limonene, a potent antibacterial and
antifungal compound shown to destroy germs on contact. Citrus juice also
stimulates liver enzymes to filter out fats, pollutants, and metabolic waste,
turbocharging your body’s normal detoxification process by about 30%.

d) Alcohol-
For those who drink a small amount of alcohol researchers say you may be
doing your body some good. How good?
You may live an extra 5 years longer, lower your risk of type-2 diabetes,
lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s.
And adding a little brandy, bourbon or dark rum to your hot toddy
can help clear inflammation from your body, helping you feel better
in a matter of days.

To Make:
Now that you’re aware of the benefits of having a hot toddy
when you’re sick, here’s the recipe.
The Hot Toddy!
Ingredients:
A tea bag , (look for Earl Grey or English breakfast)
Brandy, bourbon, dark rum, or rye whiskey, 2 oz.
Lemon wedge
Raw, Dark honey
To make:
Boil some water on the stove, fill a mug with the boiling water and
let stand for a min. or two. Empty the mug and fill a bit more than
halfway with more boiling water. Add the tea bag, steep for 2 to 3 mins.
Remove the tea bag. Add alcohol and squeeze the lemon wedge and
drop the wedge in and then add honey. Stir and sip slowly.
Important tip:
If serving this to kids, leave out the alcohol.

Good Luck, Good Drinking and Good Health!

Sources:
* Ian Paul, M.D. Pediatrician
* National Academy of Science
* University of Conn. Research Dept.
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