Although wet and mild, Winter is already here – crushing our gardens with hail, destroying the cliffs with stormy waves and keeping my cat on the sofa completely ignoring the outside world. It is cold wet sometimes mild, sometimes colder – depending entirely where you are right now. All that wetness and mildness supported by darkness and general tiredness makes us more vulnerable to colds and flues. Here I give you another DIY self-help, a truly warming and virus defeating Ginger-Echinacea Syrup. Easy to make, will keep 2-3 months in the fridge.
GINGER-ECHINACEA SYRUP
50g Echinacea root
50g fresh Ginger root, grated or chopped
Honey (2-4 spoons)
- Add herbs to 750ml of cold water. Simmer the liquid over the low heat until it thickens a little and reduces the liquid slightly. (It will take approximately 45min to 1h).
- Strain the herbs from the liquid. Compost the herbs and put the liquid back into the pot.
- Add 2-4 spoons of honey (depending on your taste and preferences). Warm the honey and the liquid together just enough to mix well (do not boil again, because you will cook the living enzymes out of the honey). You may add a shot of brandy to help preserve the syrup.
- Remove from heat and bottle for use. Put date on each bottle, so you will know how long your syrup will be suitable for use.
DOSAGE:
This syrup is suitable for children over 18 months old. If it is too “spicy” for your child’s taste (or for yours) you can serve it diluted in warm water. Take 2 spoons 3-4 times a day, for child under 3 years 1/6th of the adult dose, for children over 3 years half adult dose.
WARNING!
DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING (because of Echinacea) Ginger is safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE TAKING ANTI-COAGULANT (BLOOD-THINNING) DRUGS.
IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO FLOWERS OF THE DAISY FAMILY, YOU MAY BE ALLERGIC TO ECHINACEA AS WELL.
DO NOT USE TO REPLACE PRESCRIBED TREATMENT: ANTIBIOTICS AND OTHER MEDICINES MAY BE NEEDED TOO.