I’m down with a bad sore throat and a chesty cough, courtesy of Small Man who brought it home from school last week.
It’s time for Sarah’s ginger tea.
Many years ago, when I was visiting my sister in Singapore, I was very unwell with both conjunctivitis and tonsillitis. My sister’s housekeeper Sarah made me her ginger tonic, and I swear it cured me (although the antibiotics probably helped too). It’s basically just ginger and honey, although Sarah goes the extra step of boiling the ginger for a minute to really intensify its flavour. The other key element is a good thermos – the idea is to drink small cups of the tea over many hours, as the ginger flavour brews and intensifies.
I use a generous amount of peeled ginger, but Sarah simply washes the root, cuts it into chunks and bruises it. Try to use old ginger if at all possible, as young ginger isn’t nearly as potent…
Put it in a large pyrex jug and pour boiling water over it. Then put the jug in the microwave and heat it on high for one minute, watching carefully to make sure it doesn’t bubble over. If you don’t have a microwave, put the ginger and water into a saucepan and heat it on the stove…
Stir a couple of tablespoons of honey into the tea until dissolved, then pour the whole lot, ginger and all, into a thermos that will keep it hot for several hours. The tea will taste quite sweet at first, and slowly get hotter from the ginger as it steeps. Let it sit for at least half an hour before drinking…
I’m drinking my first cup as I type this, knowing that the next one will be eye-wateringly hot from the ginger. If it gets too strong near the end, I will occasionally add more boiling water and honey to thin it out a little.
Do you have a sure-fire cold remedy?
My Pete sips a combination of lime cordial, Rochester Ginger and Bacardi, mixed with just a little water to make it palatable. One of our Italian neighbours adds mystery ingredients to Coca Cola and then boils it down to a concentrated syrup.
I’d love to know your home cures!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Wishing you a speedy recovery,a sore throat is terrible,I usually take throat lozenges.
Thanks Sponge. I found the Duro-Tuss cough lozenges a real godsend when the cough just wouldn’t let up!
Hot lemon and ginger tea, chicken soup (homemade) and plenty of naps.
Get better soon, Celia!
Feeling much better today, thanks darling!
This is my number one cure for colds, I’ve been boiling ginger tea for years when I feel a little sick. Generally by the next day – I’m better! I just wish finding ginger in Sardinia was a little easier…
It’s funny what we take for granted – ginger is so readily available here, that I just assumed everyone had access to it!
My mom would make me “burned milk” – it was a caramel made by melting sugar until it was golden brown, and then adding milk on top –
she served it so hot that it would threaten to burn my tongue – then she would put me to bed….
memories…. so good!
I’ve never made ginger tea but it is on my list to do, as well as ginger ale! Homemade ginger ale… cool!
hope you will feel 100% soon!
Sally, I’m not sure about how it would help a cold, but that burned milk recipe sounds divine…
I can drink this easily the first couple of cups and then it’s just too hot going down. I have to water it down. I’m sorry you’re not feeling well and hope that this cures you by morning.
Thanks M, I’m feeling much better today, thank you! xx
Hi Celia – get better soon you poor thing.
Thanks love, well on the mend now, just the tail end of the cough..
I wish I had a remedy for you.. I’ve realized (as my son is sick this morning!) that it’s the flu not a cold! I’m off to the doctor to see if there’s anything to be done.. if only I’d had the flu shot!! Get well, Celia.. this drink should be the perfect remedy for you! I’m off to try it for my sore throat!
Barb, I have a house full of asthmatics, and we swear by an annual flu shot! Hope you’re feeling better soon too!
I am coming down with something myself after visiting my granddaughter. They are like little germ sponges…will try Sara’s tea…feel better my friend.
Norma, I’m sorry you’re not well either! Hope you’re feeling better soon! x
Feel better!
I buy my ginger in huge bags at our local restaurant supply house – much cheaper that way – but of course, there’s always lots of ‘old’ ginger – now I’ve got something I can make from it – much thanks.
I believe in keeping my immune system in top shape – for me, that not only means lots of fermented foods and pro-biotics, but I also believe we humans need to give out immune systems ‘practice’ – yeah, I’m weird enough to believe that a healthy immune system is one is allowed to experience fighting off germs once in awhile – just like you’re doing right now.
And FG’sS, stay away from those anti-biotics.
Feel good real soon, Celia..
Doc, a doctor once told me that the worst thing that can happen to your immune system is to not get sick for a long time, because then when you finally DO get sick, it has no resistance!
That sounds like something my Hubs would enjoy, however, I’m not a big fan of ginger, much to hot for me. I like lemon tea with sugar when I’m all sore throat. My mom use to give me that and a poached egg. Feel better soon.
Ooh, I love the idea of the poached egg as well, thanks Sharon!
As I’m currently surrounded by tissues, and sipping my morning chai- I’m interested to see what other people come up with. I’m intrigued by the concentrated coke syrup too.
That Rochester Ginger always feels like it should be doing something. It’s damn hot!
Brydie, I ran out of fresh ginger after the third day, and started on the Rochester Ginger in hot water. It’s a great substitute!
I like this. I acquired the taste for ginger only later in life but am now a fan. I make similar from lemon juice, honey & ginger but not infused, which I will now try next time I come down with the usual lurgy that goes straight to my chest. I also make or go to the Thai take away for beef with chilli, garlic & basil (Thai hot). I’m intrigued by Pete’s mixture. A Bulgarian friend always recommends scotch & black pepper but I’ve not tried it & never will… a little green ginger wine is nice as an alcholic cure all. Get better soon :)
ED, the Thai hot chilli might well do the trick too! Thanks! :)
Celia, this sounds brilliant. I’m feeling poorly myself, so might give it a try. Get well soon lovely.
Lizzy, it’s that time of year – I hope you’re on the mend soon as well!
Sorry to hear you’re not feelIng well. Here are cough remedies that I use.
1. 1/2 kilo onions cut in rings
250 g honey
Mix and let stand 12 hours. Take the fluid
often by the tablespoon. (I usually don’t
wait so long.)
2. 1/2 Liter water
4 tbsp rock sugar
1 onion cut in 1/2 cm rings
1 lemon cut in 1/2 cm rings
Put everything in a saucepan and bring to
a boil. Steep 15 minutes. Then add
1 handful thyme
3 tbsp honey
Let stand 3/4 hour. Strain. Transfer
to a jar. 2 – 3 times daily take a few
tablespoons of the syrup.
Hope you feel better soon!
Manuela, thank you! I’m intrigued by the onion, but can see how it would work!
My MIL also swears on ginger – maybe because they are growing it on the farm? Nonetheless, I hope you will be cured soon!!
Thank you! :) Feeling much better today – at last!
I doubt there’s anything medicinal in coca cola! Sorry to hear you haven’t been well; that’s not good. I have heard ginger is very medicinal and I will remember this. I can imagine the ginger would be burning hot but that can be quite soothing on a sore throat xx
Charlie, the ginger is quite addictive when I’m sick – I like the burn as it goes down!
No cures but plenty of positive thoughts and well wishes for you;, Celia. Hope you and your son are back in good form in no time. (And I resolve to get my flu shot by the weekend.)
Thanks John! Yes, do get a flu shot, we swear by them!
I’m sure ginger is a great healer, as is honey. I like to drink a commercial Ginger and Lemongrass cordial with hot water during winter, but I’ve noticed a Manuka Honey and Lemon cordial in the supermarket, which I might buy to treat colds, as I have great faith in manuka honey!
I hope you feel better soon, Celia!
Suelle, apparently some of the honeys have great curative powers, providing they don’t get heated. I was told I could only add it to lukewarm water, so the honey I added here was just for taste only!
Sorry to hear you’re under the weather! Hope you feel better soon! I find ice cream good for sore throats.
My go-to cold remedy is a hot toddy made with tea (usually herbal), honey and a very generous measure of Stroh 80. My husband’s a fan of ginger though, so I’ll give him your ginger cure next time he’s sick.
Kate, thank you! Ice cream is a nice idea! :)
I hope you feel better soon. I use fresh lemon juice diluted 1:1 with water, a squirt of honey, and a hefty shake of cayenne pepper.
Misky, I’ll try that next time, thank you!
Nice recipe for the tea, thanks Celia. I didn’t know about older ginger being more potent than the younger – I think that goes for us girls, too!!
I love ginger tea and often just stick a couple of slices in the teapot with ordinary tea leaves when I feel in need of a boost.
Amanda, if you come to Sydney, I’ll take you to Flemington Markets to meet the ginger man – he sells young ginger, medium ginger, old ginger, and very old ginger! :)
Get well soon Celia. This sounds refreshing to drink at any time. We are slowly testing the chocolate and I am making a few tasting notes as we go, it is amazing!
Jane, so glad you’re enjoying it! Thanks!
Get well soon Celia
Thanks Rose! xx
I make up a mix of sliced lemon,ginger and honey and fill a 500ml Fido jar. I then leave it out overnight to infuse and then store in the fridge – it keeps for ages and I can just add some to a cup and fill with boiling water and drink daily. Ginger is also a great aid to digestion as it is anti inflammatory. I also recommend eating fermented foods with every meal to keep your immune system in tip top shape. And I’d ditch the microwave as it denatures the food so the body can’t recognise it as food and any nutrients are ‘nuked.’
Kitsa, thanks for the advice! I love the idea of the lemon ginger and honey “cordial”…
Thank you Celia for sharing your ever inspiring blog.
For sore throat and cough, slice onions, put in a glass jar, add honey. Let it stand
for a few hours or until there is enough juice to cover the onions. The honey draws out the juice from the onions. Take a spoon full as needed. It has always helped us get some relive from a sore throat.
All the best
Ingrid, thank you for your kind comment! You’re the second person to suggest onions for a sore throat – I will have to try it next time!
Hi Celia,
The ginger tea is wonderful for making your body sweat; you usually wrap yourself up in a blanket or go to bed to intensify ginger’s warming properties. If you have a very sore throat make a tea with a sprig of lemon thyme stepped in boiling water for five minutes….thyme is a specific treatment for upper respiratory tract infections………..get well soon.
Elaine, that’s wonderful, thank you! We have lemon thyme growing in the herb garden, so I’m going to try this!
I make tea with ginger, lemon and honey. My sister adds corriander seeds to it and swears by it. In the night Andrew adds a slug of alcohol to the tea with extra ginger and it puts me to sleep! Usually Dom Benedictine which has a nice spicy sort of taste – almost like it should be medicinal.
For my kids I make chicken soup which has loads of garlic, turmeric, corriander, cloves and pepper as well as lots of lemon juice and mint. All things that are considered to have medicinal benefits for colds in India.
Thanks SG! I’ll give the coriander seeds a go!
I love ginger and honey, and would also add lemon. One thing I find soothes a sore throat too is liquorice tea.
Thank you! I’m on the lookout for liquorice tea, I’ve heard good things about it!
I make fresh turmeric tea like this too. It’s surprisingly yummy, and really good for aches and pains.
Thanks Linda! Fresh turmeric won’t grow in our yard, but I’ll pick some up next time I’m at the markets and try your tea.
Hope you and Little Man are on your feet again real soon. Try gargling with warm salt water, it soothes sore throat.
Thanks Norma! This was my mum’s cure as well! :)
I like my ginger really strong so I grate it before steeping
Thanks for the tip, Frances!
Feel better will ya? My mom says gargling with warm salt water is the best. I’d say try that and drink a barrel of lemon juice in hot water. Hugs from afar, Maz.
Thanks darling. On the mend now!
Hope you’re feeling better soon. Hubby (who is a non-drinker) swears by a hot toddy of brandy, water and honey. Good quality brandy of course. Take care, I’m laid flat with a very painful neck now – must be the week for ill health! Bring on next week…
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, you’ve had a rough trot, Alison! Hope you’re better soon!
Get well dearest Celia, because the world needs your well educated voice. Hope those boys are taking care of you!! xx
Thanks Tania, they always do! x
How are you feeling now? You sounded so sick the other day poor thing! I boil up ginger for hubby and add sugar-he drinks it as a cordial. Yep, he’s a ginger freak :P
I’m feeling much better today, thanks love.x
Hope you are feeling better soon Celia. Our sore throat remedy is to cut up a lemon and pour boiling water over it, rind and all. The sip the water as it cools. The oils in the rind seem to be more effective than just the juice.
Jo, we have lemons on our tree that are nearly ripe – I’m going to try your remedy, thank you!
Celia – I hope that tea is working and you feel much better now! We have an outbreak of ‘man flu’ in our house – so will defn try this recipe! I have a similar home remedy, with the addition of lemon juice!
Thanks you! Hope the man of the house is feeling better soon!
Hope you make a speedy recovery. You inspired me yesterday and I bought more ginger. The thermos idea is brilliant!
Thanks Anna! The thermos just helps the whole thing brew for much longer!
A bottle of red wine and a hot bath!
A hot bath maybe, Cosmo, but I’m not sure my head could cope with a bottle of red at the moment.. ;-)
Get well soon dear Celia, I was sick too. Love, nia
I’m sorry to hear that, Nia. Hope you’re feeling better now!
Oh you poor thing Celia! I so hope you’re feeling better now sweetie! I always have fresh lemon and honey in hot water- next time I’ll add ginger too :)
Thanks darling! x
This sounds wonderful and I hope you feel better very soon.
Whenever I have a cold, I make Caldo Verde, the portuguese kale soup which always seems to do wonders for me. In my house it is known as ‘Poorly Soup’.
2 small chorizo sausages cooked in a dry pan to release the oils with a diced small onion. Add 1 large baking potato peeled and chopped and fill with water until the potatoes are just covered. Simmer for 15 minutes or so until the potatoes are soft. Crush the potatoes with a fork, stir in 2-3 generous handfuls of shredded kale, put the lid on an cook for another 3-4 minutes.
Filling and very satisfying :-)
Thank you for this recipe I drink Rochester Ginger in lemon and honey, Manuka when possible. I’ve bought some fresh ginger now will have a go at making this fresh ginger recipe. Also it is said as you will know garlic is good for the chest. I have some garlic cloves left from what a grew this year and planted them in the first week of October, UK. and some shoots are showing I hope I’m not too soon, not as many as last year but I hope they do as well. I hope you’re feeling better now, keep drinking this recipe I would think it can only do you good.