I add to the comment quote from a reader below:
"I USE THYME HONEY LEMON TEA.
Submitted by greyeagle on February 9, 2013 - 7:26pm
I use thyme honey lemon tea. 1 tsp dried thyme, honey and lemon to taste. Steep thyme in 1 cup hot water. I use a tea ball like is used for making loose tea in a pot, add honey and lemon and sip away. I do this three times a day. A cold or flu always settles in my chest and this will break it up. I found this about 4 years ago and have yet to buy any kind of OTC remedy for a cough or congestion."
An ancient Iranian recipe includes ginger.
I prepare fresh thyme leaves - 1 good size sprig by rolling the leaved between thumbs and forefingers to release the aromatic oils and put it into a pint sized mason jar. If fresh thyme isn't available, use dried thyme
Then I add 1 teaspoon of ginger juice or a 1" knob of ginger finely chopped. Use 1/2 teaspoon of dried ginger if frush ginger is unavailable.
Next add 1/2 organic lemon - (use organic ingredients if possible). First squeeze and add the juice to the jar, then add grated peel, then finely chop and add the entire lemon pith and remaining parts left from juicing.
Place a large metal regular spoon in the jar to prevent it from breaking and fill the jar with boiling water.
Cover and let it steep for five minutes.
Than add a generous tablespoon of honey to to rest. Taking five minutes to add the honey allows the water temperature to reduce enough so the helpful honey enzymes are preserved.
Drink within 15 - 20 minutes.
Repeat to total of four times spaced out out four times through the day for several days or until the flu or cough is finished.
If is persists of course consult your health care provider.
Added note - I use honey medicinally, occasionally in bread making to spare bees. Bees do the work of pollinating our global plant food. They are badly over abused and poisoned by pesticides. We have a responsibility to do everything possible to preserve them and their precious work and produce.
I add to the comment quote from a reader below:
"I USE THYME HONEY LEMON TEA.
Submitted by greyeagle on February 9, 2013 - 7:26pm
I use thyme honey lemon tea. 1 tsp dried thyme, honey and lemon to taste. Steep thyme in 1 cup hot water. I use a tea ball like is used for making loose tea in a pot, add honey and lemon and sip away. I do this three times a day. A cold or flu always settles in my chest and this will break it up. I found this about 4 years ago and have yet to buy any kind of OTC remedy for a cough or congestion."
An ancient Iranian recipe includes ginger.
I prepare fresh thyme leaves - 1 good size sprig by rolling the leaved between thumbs and forefingers to release the aromatic oils and put it into a pint sized mason jar. If fresh thyme isn't available, use dried thyme
Then I add 1 teaspoon of ginger juice or a 1" knob of ginger finely chopped. Use 1/2 teaspoon of dried ginger if frush ginger is unavailable.
Next add 1/2 organic lemon - (use organic ingredients if possible). First squeeze and add the juice to the jar, then add grated peel, then finely chop and add the entire lemon pith and remaining parts left from juicing.
Place a large metal regular spoon in the jar to prevent it from breaking and fill the jar with boiling water.
Cover and let it steep for five minutes.
Than add a generous tablespoon of honey to to rest. Taking five minutes to add the honey allows the water temperature to reduce enough so the helpful honey enzymes are preserved.
Drink within 15 - 20 minutes.
Repeat to total of four times spaced out out four times through the day for several days or until the flu or cough is finished.
If is persists of course consult your health care provider.
Added note - I use honey medicinally, occasionally in bread making to spare bees. Bees do the work of pollinating our global plant food. They are badly over abused and poisoned by pesticides. We have a responsibility to do everything possible to preserve them and their precious work and produce.