Ginger and spring onion tea for early Cold symptoms
This simple and effective remedy is perfect for warding off the early signs of a cold, such as sneezing, slight chills, or muscle stiffness. If you often sense a cold creeping in before it fully sets, this homemade tea should be a staple in your natural remedy kit.
Recognizing the first signs of a Cold
Sometimes you might just feel a bit off, struggle to stay warm, or experience stiffness in your neck and shoulders. Perhaps you begin to sneeze lightly or feel a touch “under the weather.” These are classic indicators of an oncoming cold.
In traditional Chinese Medicine, it is said that “wind is the source of a hundred ailments.” The kind of cold described here often appears in windy, chilly weather and is known as Wind-Cold. Protecting yourself by wearing warm clothing, hats, and scarves can help prevent it. Strengthening your immune system by following the “6 Tips for Winter Health” also equips your body to fend off these seasonal illnesses.
Wind-Cold can sometimes transform into Wind-Heat, or Wind-Heat can be contracted directly during warmer weather. Wind-Heat symptoms often include sore throat, fever, yellow or green nasal discharge, intense thirst, and a dry cough, sometimes with phlegm. If these are your symptoms, this tea isn’t the right remedy. In that case, seek acupuncture or a custom herbal consultation for the proper treatment.
If you find yourself with early signs of Wind-Cold, this tea can help expel it from your system. Drink it while it’s warm, and bundle up in a blanket, hat, and scarf to promote a light sweat. Rest well, and you should feel better soon.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups of water
- 5 slices of fresh ginger (peeled – remove the skin)
- ½ - 1 whole spring onion (scallion) especially the white part (thinly sliced)
Directions
- Pour the ingredients into water in a small pot (stainless steel or enamel)
- Bring it to boil during 15 minutes.
- Strain the liquid and pour it into a cup.
- Drink the tea while it’s hot, and make sure to cover up warmly or wrap yourself in a blanket to help your body release a gentle sweat.
Take the time to rest, and you’ll likely notice an improvement soon after.
You can double the ingredient amounts to make a larger batch and store it in a thermos, allowing you to sip on it throughout the day.
