Traditional Honey Recipes To Help With Winter Sniffles

Winter can be beautiful, magical, and a lot of fun. Unfortunately, as the seasons change, and the cold forces us indoors, the likelihood of sickness increases. While there is no cure for the common cold, you can still make yourself feel better with some honey home remedies.

Before you shop for over-the-counter medicines, soothe mild winter symptoms with honey’s health benefits. Even if you are not sick, these recipes are a delightful way to enjoy a chilly day! Here are several traditional honey recipes to help with winter sniffles.

The Benefits of Honey in Herbal Remedies

While nothing beats medical attention, many traditional herbal remedies have benefits for low-level sicknesses. Honey, for example, has been used for ages to treat illness, aid in healing, and more. It is already a nearly perfect food, packed with antioxidants, plenty of nutrients, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory materials, and so much more.

While not a cure-all, honey has long proven itself useful in soothing sore throats, suppressing persistent coughs, and putting cold sufferers at ease. It also provides natural sugars, unlike processed ones, granting energy without empty calories. And, of course, honey is delicious. It is a sweet treat you can add to tea, toast, and other simple foods when you are having trouble eating. And it blends perfectly with so many recipes, adding flavor without being overwhelming. Read on for a sampling of honeyed recipes to try when dealing with winter ills.

Honey and Lemon Solution

One of the simplest and most effective remedies for winter colds is the classic honey and lemon solution. This soothing drink combines honey’s antioxidant properties with lemon juice’s bright and fresh blast of vitamin C.

It is an exceedingly easy recipe. Just mix two tablespoons of raw honey with the juice of half a lemon in a cup of warm water. Slowly sip this soothing mixture to coat your throat with honey and lemon and gain relief from congestion and irritation. For an added boost, sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or ginger into the mix to enhance its warming effects and further assist in clearing nasal passages. This is a warm, cozy beverage to enjoy when you are under the weather.

Ginger-Honey Syrup

Ginger is another old-timey cure for the sniffles. Also known for its anti-inflammatory and warming properties, ginger and honey go together like peanut butter and jelly. Whip up a homemade ginger-honey syrup to suppress coughing and relieve sore throats.

Grate a small piece of fresh ginger using the fine side of the grater. Then, simmer the ginger in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes, and strain. Stir in two tablespoons of raw honey with comb, and store the syrup in a jar. Take a teaspoon as needed to soothe your symptoms while enjoying the delightful mix of flavors.

Honey and Turmeric Paste

Perhaps turmeric doesn’t get as much use in your kitchen as other more common spices. It will find a use in this palliative recipe! Combined with honey, turmeric creates a paste that some believe fights infections through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

To make it, blend two tablespoons of honey with one teaspoon of turmeric until smooth. Keep the paste in a sealed jar when not in use, taking half a teaspoon daily. You can take the teaspoon directly or add it to a warm cup of tea, milk, or hot water, where it makes for an interesting and tasty addition.

Honey-Infused Herbal Tea

We can’t help but stress that nothing is better for a cold—or just a cold day—than a hot simmering cup of tea with a bit of honey sweetening the deal. Take teatime to the next level with a lighter floral-based or heavier honey-based infusion.

Begin with a basic herbal tea—something like peppermint, chamomile, or echinacea—and let it brew and steep. Add raw honey with a bit of comb for flavor and nutritional value. This will elevate your tea’s healing properties. Tea with honey is the perfect combination of soothing and sweet. And while it can’t cure a cold, it can make you feel more relaxed and invigorated on cold winter days and nights.

Honey, Garlic, and Onion Tonic

Interested in a more robustly flavorful and effective recipe that will really get behind the sinuses? Honey, garlic, and onion create a potent and formidable tonic that is definitely an eye-opener. Garlic and onion pair well with honey in many different recipes, and this tonic is no exception.

Get out your cutting board, and finely dice a garlic clove and onion. Then, simmer them in a cup of water for about 15 minutes. Strain the mixture into a sealable jar, and stir in a couple of tablespoons of your favorite honey. Tradition suggests taking a tablespoon full of this tonic to help clear congestion and loosen up the sinuses. Take as much or as little as you need to alleviate your symptoms.

Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar Brew

Many swear by apple cider vinegar for a number of helpful properties, including its aid in detoxification. Combined with honey, apple cider vinegar creates a lovely brew to aid in digestion, among other uses.

The recipe calls for two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water. Add two tablespoons of honey, and stir. It’s a refreshing and cleansing way to start the day, especially if you’re having trouble with congestion.

Embracing Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies aren’t intended as cures so much as supplementary symptom relievers for colds and other less dangerous (but no less irritating) illnesses. Many people turn to herbal remedies because they make them feel a bit better as their immune systems fight colds. Choose honey as an ally in your herbal arsenal—you’ll be glad that you did!

These are just a few traditional honey recipes to help with winter sniffles. Contact us for more information on the other health benefits of pure organic honey. Meanwhile, check out our site to see the honey, gifts, and more we have to offer!