Get Well Ginger Tea

Our trip to Maine was great... and I will share about it soon... but it was cut a wee bit short because Dylan developed a cold. The sneezes started up on the road and developed into a full blown cold by the time we found our way across the boarder.

We spent the night and morning with Grandma and Papa before heading back home. The little man slept the whole way.

Once we were home I made up our get well tea and although Fionna had a few days of stuffy nose Wes and I have managed to keep it at bay so far... and the kiddos are on the mend.

We have been using this tea remedy since well before we had kids. At the first sign of cold or flu symptoms I make it up. I have looked through all of my books and can't figure out just where I got the idea for this recipe. I have researched it and found many variations on the ginger remedy theme. Our version has evolved a bit over the years to our suite our taste.
I don't see very many versions that include both cinnamon and cloves but I have seen the addition of garlic. I try to add more garlic to whatever we are eating while sickness is in the house but have not tried it as part of the tea.

We don't get sick all that often. I actually can't remember the last time any of us where sick. But when it does hit home this is what we turn to...

Get Well Ginger Tea

3 ½ cups water

1 inch fresh ginger (sliced thin)

2-3 cinnamon sticks

1-2 Tbs. whole cloves

Juice from 1 whole medium lemon

3-4 Tbs honey

Add water, ginger, cinnamon sticks and cloves in small saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 20 min.

Strain. Add lemon and honey. We usually drink while warm but it can also be sipped throughout the day warming as needed.

The kids take very generous amounts of lemon and honey then drink warm. If it is feeling particularly strong and spicy to them I cool it and give it with a dropper (as I would with cough medicine).

We also use homeopathic medicines along with lots of rest, snuggles and moderate amounts of fresh air mix in.

Not exactly a wonderful kickoff to fall but the bugs do tend to visit more often in the fall and winter months... and their not the kind of bugs Fionna likes to catch.

I am off to get through my pictures of our Maine trip...

Have a great fall weekend!