Looking for a simple, yet effective natural remedy for the cold and flu? You’ve got to try this Honey Lemon Ginger Elixir that is so easy to make, and the whole family can use it.
I’ve drinking this concoction since I was a kid. My mom would make it for me and call it “honey water”. Sometimes I’d take a spoonful by itself, while other times I’d stir it in with a warm cup of water (or even add some ice to that warm water for an iced version that was just as effective).
Well, turns out mom was right (I never doubted her). Honey, lemon and ginger are three of the most power natural remedies for cold and flu.
Honey Lemon Ginger Water Benefits
1. Honey
When it comes to sore throats and cough, raw honey is my first defense. It’s fantastic for soothing the throat and reducing coughs. In a study by Penn State College of Medicine, researchers found that in children with upper respiratory infection honey reduced nighttime coughing and improved sleep quality better than over-the-counter cough medicine. Pretty amazing, right?
In addition, honey has antiseptic and antibacterial constituents that can help combat cold and flu, as well as other health issues too.
2. Lemon
Lemon and honey are the perfect duo when it comes to cold and flu remedies. Both honey and lemon help to soothe sore throat, and help the body to fight infection. Lemon juice contains vitamin C, which may help to shorten the duration of a cold, and antioxidants that help to boost immunity.
3. Ginger
Ginger is well-known as a natural remedy for nausea and vomiting, which can come in handy for the stomach flu. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe sore throats and antibacterial properties to helps to fight off infection.
How to Make Honey Lemon Ginger Elixir – Natural Cold Remedy
It’s pretty easy to make this elixir. I’ve got the full recipe below. Just remember to use all organic ingredients and raw honey. The shelf life of this elixir (which yields one pint in this recipe) is a couple of months – as honey acts as a natural preservative.
Here’s how to make this Honey Lemon Ginger Elixir:
1. Cut lemons and ginger into slices. You could also grate the ginger.
2. Layer lemons and ginger in a pint-sized Mason jar.
3. Add raw honey until jar is full. Cover with a lid and let sit for 12 hours before first use.
4. Store it in the refrigerator and use as needed.
5. Use 1-2 tbsp at a time once the elixir has set for the 12 hours.
Other Natural Cold Remedies in Conjunction With This Honey Lemon Ginger Elixir
Staying hydrated is another key action you can take, when you’re hydrated, your body has a natural ability to flush germs out of your system.
64 ounces of fluid a day is recommended, but talk to your doctor about your specific needs.
Also, sleep. It helps your immune system function at its best to ward off nasty viruses and bacteria. To help your sinuses drain, sleep with an extra pillow under your head.
Other Benefits of This Honey Lemon Ginger Elixir
An excellent health tonic, regular consumption of lemon honey water will help in keeping your digestive system healthy. Drinking lemon water with honey increases stomach acid secretion production and bile secretion. This aids in easy and systematic breakdown of food materials and seamless absorption of nutrients. Undigested food can lead to a feeling of bloating and flatulence in the stomach. Drinking honey with lemon aids in improved bowel movement thus making excretion a smooth process.
Drinking lemon and honey on warm water as the first thing in the morning, gets your system in the fat burning mode. It gets in the action to expel any harmful chemicals and toxins out from the body by regularizing the bowel movement and keep the digestive system healthy.
Top Tips for Honey Lemon Ginger Elixir
- Use raw honey.
- Store the mix in the refrigerator, lasts up to two months.
- You can slice or grate the ginger.
- If you’re really suffering but still need to head out to work, try making a big batch and keep it in a thermos to sip, or reheat it as needed.
- Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom at the end for a warm spice flavor.
- If you like things spicy, add a dash of cayenne – that spicy note will further help clear out those sinuses.
- If the lemon flavor is too much for you, balance it out with a splash of orange juice.
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Have you tried this honey lemon ginger elixir? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and comment below to let me know how it went. You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Honey Lemon Ginger Elixir– Natural Remedy for Cold and Flu
Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized lemons
- 1/4 cup fresh ginger root
- 1 cup raw honey or Manuka honey
Instructions
- Wash lemons, pat dry and thinly slice.
- Cut ginger root into slices or grate.
- In a pint-sized Mason jar, add lemon slices and ginger root, alternate in layers.
- Top off with raw honey until jar is full.
- Put on lid and store in the refrigerator.
- As needed, add 1-2 tbsp of honey, lemon and ginger elixir in a cup of warm water. Stir well and enjoy.
Photo credit: Bigstockphoto.com / Melica73
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So I see that under the ingredients it says cook time 12hrs…but under instructions there is no mention of cooking?
Correct. The 12 hours is the time to let the ingredients soak in the honey.
Is it safe to add more honey once it’s starts getting low or should I make a new one?
This is delicious, thank you! Do you use just the honey (that has marinated with lemon and ginger)? Or use lemon slices too when adding to warm water?
Yes, you absolutely can add the bits of honey and ginger too.
Thank you for this very easy to make cold remedy. Questions, can I just take it straight without mixing in warm water? What age is safe to take this elixir? Thanks.
Yes, you can do that. It will be like a natural cough syrup. Since there’s honey, I’d say 1 year and older.
First time l have tried your recipe and it won’t be the last l just love it and it’s so easy to make.
Thank so much.
The nutritional label says 1112 calories per serving? Can this be right?
Thank you for the heads up. It wasn’t right. It calculated for the whole cup and one serving is just 1 tbsp or about 70 calories.