After a particularly ranty comment the other day on one of my Sterimar posts, I rummaged around in my bathroom cabinet to find a lone sachet of a well-known lemon-flavoured cold and flu remedy which I bought about 10 years ago. These days I always prefer to try and avoid a drug-based remedy to a sniffle (not only do I find it more effective, but during pregnancy it's a must). Having looked through the ingredients on the back of the packet (paracetemol, phenylephrine hydrochloride, a whole host of colouring E-numbers, SLS and caffeine among other things) I'm rather glad that I am the meister of the Honey, Lemon & Ginger Tonic at bedtimes.
There are few things in life quite as comforting as this tingly, soothing elixir. Best made with fresh ginger and the juice of a fresh lemon but just as effective with long-life ingredients, here's how I make my 100% natural lemon-flavoured cold and flu remedy (and if I REALLY need to, I could always use it to wash down a paracetemol!).
If I'm feeling sniffly then I like to make my Honey and Lemon tonic with Manuka Honey which is becoming more widely available. A good quality Manuka Honey like the New Zealand Honey Co.. A Manuka honey is quite a thick, light-coloured honey with high anti-bacterial properties. If you're looking for something to ease an upset tummy (or for a good hangover cure) then I'd recommend a more runny honey like a good clear English honey or The Beech Forest Honeydew from the New Zealand Honey co not just because of the colour and texture but also for pre-biotic qualities to help aid digestion.
The ginger in this tonic also helps aid digestion and the lemon, of course, is packed full of vitamin C.
Honey, Lemon and Ginger Tonic Recipe
You will need:-
A 2-inch piece of fresh root ginger peeled and sliced thinly or 1 level teaspoon of ground ginger
The juice from half a lemon or a tablespoon of bottled lemon juice
About two teaspoons of honey (or more to taste)
The secret to the tonic is to place the ginger in the bottom of the cup then top up, almost to the top of the mug with cooling boiled water. Give it a stir and then allow to steep for about 4 minutes and then, if you are using fresh ginger, remove the pieces now.
Stir in the lemon juice and the honey to taste. Allow it to cool a little more before drinking but while you're waiting for it to cool, why not breathe in the lovely lemony, gingery steam to help clear a blocked nose?
Do you have a drug-free, pregnancy-friendly remedy you'd recommend to others?
There are few things in life quite as comforting as this tingly, soothing elixir. Best made with fresh ginger and the juice of a fresh lemon but just as effective with long-life ingredients, here's how I make my 100% natural lemon-flavoured cold and flu remedy (and if I REALLY need to, I could always use it to wash down a paracetemol!).
If I'm feeling sniffly then I like to make my Honey and Lemon tonic with Manuka Honey which is becoming more widely available. A good quality Manuka Honey like the New Zealand Honey Co.. A Manuka honey is quite a thick, light-coloured honey with high anti-bacterial properties. If you're looking for something to ease an upset tummy (or for a good hangover cure) then I'd recommend a more runny honey like a good clear English honey or The Beech Forest Honeydew from the New Zealand Honey co not just because of the colour and texture but also for pre-biotic qualities to help aid digestion.
The ginger in this tonic also helps aid digestion and the lemon, of course, is packed full of vitamin C.
Honey, Lemon and Ginger Tonic Recipe
You will need:-
A 2-inch piece of fresh root ginger peeled and sliced thinly or 1 level teaspoon of ground ginger
The juice from half a lemon or a tablespoon of bottled lemon juice
About two teaspoons of honey (or more to taste)
The secret to the tonic is to place the ginger in the bottom of the cup then top up, almost to the top of the mug with cooling boiled water. Give it a stir and then allow to steep for about 4 minutes and then, if you are using fresh ginger, remove the pieces now.
Stir in the lemon juice and the honey to taste. Allow it to cool a little more before drinking but while you're waiting for it to cool, why not breathe in the lovely lemony, gingery steam to help clear a blocked nose?
Do you have a drug-free, pregnancy-friendly remedy you'd recommend to others?
