It’s that time of the year when sniffles pervade and the kids bring home every nasty virus that ever existed. Your whole family needs to keep healthy and this drink promises to be an excellent immune system booster with its powerful germ-warding and nurturing qualities. If you have already been consumed by a cold, this drink will also give excellent results for a sore throat (hot lemon and honey drinks are a family tradition for us).

Garlic

Garlic has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.  When crushed, garlic has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

Lemon

Full of vitamin C and citric acid, lemons have also been used medicinally to boost the immune system and aid in digestion. Lemon is well-known as a tonic for sore throats.

Ginger

Ginger is also known for its antiviral compounds, antioxidant benefits and specific effects against the common cold. It is also recognised for its’ ability to help settle an upset stomach.

Honey

Honey has well-documented antiseptic and antibacterial properties and is useful for soothing sore throats. Honey has also been shown to kill biofilms which can contribute to sinus infections.

Chilli

High in vitamin C and a metabolic stimulant, chilli is invigorating and warming; perfect for winter chills.

You will need:

• 1-2 cloves of garlic
• half a lemon
• a knob of ginger
• 2-3 tablespoons of honey
• a few pinches of chilli flakes

Use organic ingredients where possible.

Step 1

Fill a medium-size cooking pot half-way with filtered water.

Step 2

Smash 1-2 cloves of garlic, roughly chop a knob of ginger and add to the pot.

Step 3

Squeeze half a lemon and stir the juice and the lemon rind into the pot.

Step 4

Finish by adding a pinch of chilli flakes and 2-3 tablespoons of honey, stirring to dissolve in the pot. If required, add more honey to taste.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a boil on the stove top with the lid on. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.

Step 6

Take the pot off the heat and pour the liquid into a coffee plunger (or strain the liquid through a fine-grade sieve into a jug or tea pot).

Drink this immune system booster drink while it is hot. You can store any left-over liquid in the fridge and reheat when needed.

You can find these cooking implements on eBay:

• cooking pot
• fine mesh sieve
• jug
• tea pot
• coffee plunger
• lemon squeezer