I find the simple things in life make some of the biggest differences. Nothing says simple like making your own cold remedy. By themselves these ingredients seem unimpressive. You’re probably thinking about how each one tastes and imagining them put together with a perplexed look on your face. But trust me; together these simple ingredients have powerful medicinal qualities. This combination of herbs will help to clear fever, chills, body aches, cough, sore throat, and loosen phlegm. The main three symptoms for this herbal decoction are fever, chills and body aches. Add the mint to the decoction if you are experiencing more fever than chills and/or a sore throat. You may also add honey and lemon to sooth the throat even more.
You can use this decoction in the form that is given or you may add a cup of rice to create a porridge. If you are giving this to a child, I recommend making the porridge. I gave the tea to my daughter at one point and she wouldn’t drink it. She kept saying, “It’s too spicy, Mom.” Some people’s kids. If you do make the porridge, be sure to cook it as you would rice; boiling it down until it reaches the consistency that you prefer. Then remove the cinnamon sticks and ginger. Everything else is edible.
Cold Clearing Decoction
- 4 cups of water
- 3 green onions chopped
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5 medium to large slices of fresh ginger root
- 2 whole pitted dates
- 5 to 6 sprigs of mint (optional)
Place all ingredients into a large sauce pan. Pour water over ingredients.
Bring to a full boil from medium-high heat. Reduce heat to a low boil for 20 minutes. Strain the tea. Add honey and/or lemon as desired. Yields 1 ½ cups decoction.
Dosage: Drink ¾ cup 3 to 4 times per day until symptoms are gone.
