SUPER SIMPLE Cold Busting Tea (AIP)

elixir
noun
1. a magical or medicinal potion.
“an elixir guaranteed to induce love”
2.a particular type of medicinal solution.
“a cough elixir”

If you don’t happen to live in Sydney, you may be unaware of the shocking weather we’ve been experiencing down here – torrential rain, gail force winds, freak hail storms. We’ve had it going on! 

And, the drop in temperature has brought with it the winter cold and flu season. Marvellous.

I haven’t escaped this year, so I’ve been dosing myself up on this simple cold and flu elixir. It always makes me feel better when I’ve got a tickle in the throat or if I feel a cold coming on…

This baby is just the ticket for colder winter days, even if you’re not feeling under the weather. And it takes no time at all to whip it up.

Want to know why it’s so good for you?

Lemons

Foods that are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants can help the immune system battle germs that cause a cold or flu. Maintaining a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables is especially important during the winter months when physical activity levels tend to drop. And, as well as improving your skin, hair, and teeth, did you know that pairing foods that are high in vitamin C with foods that are iron-rich will maximize your body’s ability to absorb iron?

Ginger

Especially known for it’s nausea fighting qualities, ginger actually has broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-parasitic properties. It’s a bit of a super food in it’s own right. I know I should be consuming more ginger.

Fresh ginger root keeps well in your freezer.

Turmeric

Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant, which is why I add it to my ‘Cold Busting Tea’

Turmeric is a general immune system booster due to its high antioxidant capacity. Turmeric is five to eight times stronger than vitamins C and E. – Dr Mercola

Unfortunately, curcumin is not so easily absorbed into the bloodstream. It helps to consume it with black pepper, which contains pipeline. Piperine is a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2000% (i) Please note, black pepper is not part of the AIP elimination phase.

Honey

Who doesn’t love a little honey? It tastes sweet and it is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. But, did you know that the World Health Organization (WHO) lists honey as a demulcent, which is a substance that relieves irritation in your mouth or throat by forming a protective film?

Research shows honey works as well as dextromethorphan, a common ingredient in over the counter cough medications, to soothe cough and related sleeping difficulties due to upper respiratory tract infections in children. (ii)

And, it tastes sweet. Did I mention that?

So, making yourself a cup (or two) of this elixir may just…

• help to alleviate your flu, cough or cold symptoms
• improve your immune system
• certainly make you feel better
• minimise any nausea
• help your body to eliminate toxins
• clear your mind

SUPER SIMPLE Cold Busting Tea

 

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Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

5 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

Author: Joanna Frankham

Recipe type: Drinks

Serves: 1 serve

Ingredients

• 1 inch piece of fresh ginger root
• 1 inch piece of fresh turmeric
• Juice of half an organic lemon
• 1 - 2 teaspoons of honey
• a few black peppercorns (omit if in the elimination phase of AIP)

Method

1. Fill your kettle and pop on to boil.
2. Peel your ginger and turmeric and then grate using a microplane or vegetable grater. Place into your tea infuser. Add peppercorns if using.
3. Pop your infuser into a mug and fill with hot water. Leave a little room to add your honey and lemon. Allow to steep for 4-5 mutes.
4. Once steeped, add lemon and honey. Taste for sweetness.

Notes

This recipe is 100% AIP friendly

3.3.2998

This recipe features in the Phoenix Helix Recipe Roundtable

(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9619120

(ii) http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=571638