Common Cold Herbal Remedies

There are plenty of ailments that can be relieved by herbal remedies. In my case, I generally enjoy good health, but I do frequently suffer from mild cold symptoms. For this reason, I am interested in herbs that help with the common cold.

One of the most enjoyable, versatile, and helpful herbs is ginger. It can be made into a sweet drinks or spicy meals.

For the simplest recipe, steep grated ginger in boiling water. Then sweeten the drink with honey or sugar to your taste. Grated or ground ginger can also be added to warm tea or apple cider.

For a spicier beverage, add ginger and garlic to chicken broth. Or make it a light meal by adding vegetables and rice to the broth. For pumpkin soup, combine 1 cup of chicken broth, 1 cup of canned pumpkin, and 1 teaspoon of minced ginger. For a spicier pumpkin soup, add 1/3 clove of garlic and 1/2 tablespoon of chopped green onion to the pumpkin mixture.

Another tasty and effective herb for colds is mint. Peppermint tea is available at many grocery stores. You can also add it to grapefruit juice. Try grated ginger and muddled mint leaves in fresh lemonade or limeade. For something more exciting, mix them with straight lime juice and then add the mixture to club soda.

For mint salad dressing, combine equal parts of oil, vinegar, and chopped mint leaves. If desired, sweeten to taste with honey or sugar. Serve over mixed greens and chopped boiled eggs or a cucumber and tomato salad. Or replace the vinegar with lemon juice and serve over salmon.

Cayenne pepper is an effective herb for alleviating a variety of ailments, including the common cold. Add this spice sparingly to your chicken broth, vegetable soup, or barbecue sauce.  Or mix the cayenne with lime and oil and drizzle over salad or vegetables.

The next time you’re getting the sniffles or a soar throat, cook up some delicious herbal remedies.  You might even try them when you're feeling well. Enjoy these recipes and enjoy good health.