It’s been a challenging change of season these past few weeks and everyone is getting sick. I survived 2 years without COVID-19 (not that I’m challenging it) but last week, I got the flu. Most households practice the advertised route of paracetamol, decongestants and pain relievers. And I am one of those who’d want a seemingly faster and easier release from this uncomfortable sickness. But this time, I wanted to do something different. So, I tried to remember my friends’ and family’s advice.

One of those valuable advices came from a doctor friend who told me that having a fever or flu is our body’s way of getting rid of germs lounging in our bodies. We all have existing antibodies that help us heal and get better. Our bodies increase temperature to “kill” these germs which dehydrates us. So the best first step – hydrate. Water replenishes our lost fluids which allows us to continue our usual bodily function.

My aunt tells me that the best item in the kitchen that can heal us is ginger. The mythic “salabat” that does not only give us a beautiful singing voice, it also has “gingerol” which is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It also helps in relieving nausea and is known to help prevent some forms of lung infection.

I think I get my love for eating foods with a lot of garlic from my dad. His fried rice has a whole head of garlic in it. He says that garlic helps fight germs that cause the flu. True enough, garlic has “allicin” which helps improve the body’s immune system. Garlic shortens recovery time and stimulates to body to become more active.

This last food item, I found myself after going through the contents of Pei Pa Koa (the go to Chinese herbal drink of some Pinoy singers) – and it’s honey. Raw honey contains an array of plant chemicals that act as antioxidant that protect our bodies from cell damage due to free radicals.  The “propolis” in raw honey has antifungal and antibacterial properties which can help us recover from sore throat and cough.

On the second day of having flu, my throat slowly felt sore like barbwire constricting my esophagus. I initially wanted something soothing at first but the effect was amazingly fast with this simple recipe with ingredients from your kitchen:

  1. Boil a pot of water with 2 slivers of ginger.
  2. Add two tablespoons of honey and stir.
  3. Add half a teaspoon of turmeric (from the ginger family) to help out in the                   Inflammation. 

Try it out and tell us what you think. ;)

 

 

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