An alcohol-free remedy made with cold-beating herbs

When I was growing up, my dad’s remedy for a cold was a hot toddy made with whiskey. I always thought it was an English remedy that he picked up from my Nanna and Grand-dad who came from the UK.

It turns out it originated in India around 1610 (controlled by the British back then) and was known as a “taddy,” an alcoholic drink made from fermented sap of the palm tree. Fast forward to 1786 and the taddy became a toddy made with hot water, spices, and sugar.

It’s no wonder the British claimed this drink as their own. It remains to this day a popular pub drink in England. And because winters there are damp and cold, it became a common remedy when you caught a cold or the flu.

I often use herbal teas when I’m fighting a cold today, but I don’t use the alcoholic toddy that my Dad used.  I skip the whiskey in favor of using medicinal herbs instead. And I’m happy to say, it’s a very effective remedy when I’m dealing with a bad cold. The major ingredients are lavender, chamomile, honey, lemon juice, and hot water.

LAVENDER

Lavender is antimicrobial, making it a tasty ingredient for those common cold symptoms. It also helps reduce anxiety and promotes sleep. Getting a good night’s rest is always a good idea when you’re fighting a cold.

CHAMOMILE

Chamomile has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it good medicine when a cold comes on. Studies have shown that it boosts the immune system and reduces cold symptoms. Chamomile tea has also been used for centuries as a sleep and relaxation aid, producing a mild sedative effect on the body.  And if a sore throat is also going on, a cup of chamomile tea along with a dollop of honey is good medicine.

HONEY

Honey is incredibly soothing for coughs and sore throats, making it an ideal ingredient in a cold remedy. It also helps to sweeten the tea if you don’t like the flavors of the herbs. Any type of honey will do, though Manuka honey has been shown to have antimicrobial properties and can rev up the tea even more.

LEMON JUICE

Lemon juice helps cut through congestion and eases stuffiness making it an ideal addition to this tea. Plus lemon and lavender complement each other wonderfully. Lemon juice also is high in vitamin C which we all know helps the body fight off colds and infections.

HOT WATER

Any medicinal tea must be made with hot water, steeping the herbs for 7-10 minutes. A cover should also be placed over the tea in this steeping process so the steam will not allow the essential oils to escape. When I drink the hot toddy, I also try to inhale the tea’s steam, for hot tea and steam are good for clearing the sinuses.

HERBAL HOT TODDY

Use these flavorful and herbal ingredients to make a hot drink when battling a cold or the flu.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
• 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers
• 1 cup hot boiling water
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Add the lavender and chamomile flowers to the basket of an infusion cup.
2. Pour a cup of boiling water over the flowers up until the top of the basket. Put the cover over the infusion cup and allow it to steep for 10 minutes.
3. Remove the basket and pour the tea into a tea cup.
4. Add the lemon juice and honey and stir until the honey dissolves.
5. Sip slowly, inhaling the steam along with drinking the tea.

Note: If you do not have an infusion cup, a tea ball can be used instead.