Over the past couple of weeks, more and more people have been falling victim to the ‘superflu’. Winter tends to be a time when you’re more likely to get sick, but this year, the specific strain is proving very problematic – with symptoms that seem to persist for weeks.
Whether you’ve caught the flu or are just suffering from a common cold, you don’t want it to ruin your Christmas. And according to health experts, one kitchen staple can help to ease your symptoms. It may not cure them completely, but it should provide some relief – especially if you’re dealing with a cough.
According to the experts at Healthline, there’s not yet a proven cure for the common cold. But actions like drinking plenty of fluids and resting can help to speed up your recovery time.
They said: “You may be able to shorten the amount of time you’re sick by trying some promising supplements and practicing good self-care.”
So if you’re trying to banish your cold before Christmas, you might want to dig around in your cupboards for some honey. This cheap ingredient, costing 74p from Asda, isn’t just versatile in the kitchen – it can also help to soothe a number of those irritating cold and flu symptoms.
One of the most annoying symptoms is a tickly or chesty cough, especially when you’re trying to sleep at night. But according to the Mayo Clinic, several studies have shown that people with upper respiratory tract infections – such as the common cold – found their coughing lessened when they were given honey. It can also help to shorten the duration of symptoms too.
It also helped them to sleep better, and these studies included children too – just don’t give honey to any child under the age of one, as it carries the risk of infant botulism, which is a rare but dangerous kind of food poisoning.
A spoonful of honey also contains compounds that can help to support your immune function, feeding good gut bacteria and reducing inflammation, making it ideal for soothing cold and flu symptoms.
Another effective way to use honey for treating a cold is to make it into a hot drink. A simple honey and lemon tea comes together in minutes, warming you up and soothing your throat as it goes down.
The addition of lemon provides a boost of vitamin C, a key element in shortening your cold. It can also help to ease congestion and it’s hydrating too, so here’s how you can make a brew at home, according to Good Food.
How to make honey and lemon tea
Mix two to three tablespoons of honey and a quarter of a juiced lemon in the bottom of a cup while you boil the kettle.
Pour over the hot water, add a lemon slice and stir well to combine. Add another teaspoon of honey if you prefer it sweeter, and drink this every time you start to feel a cold coming on.
Other ingredients, like ginger and turmeric, can also be great at supporting the immune system, so you can add a pinch of these if you like.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
