Healthy Homemade Recipes for that Pesky Summer Cold

Flu season may be long behind us, but that doesn’t mean you’re immune to pesky summer colds. Colds come from viruses not from weather, so if you thought you were in the clear in summer temps, think again. The solution? Grab for these healthy homemade recipes to avoid icky summer germs and go from sulking in bed to soaking up the sun!

Gesundheit!

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No Flu Tea

It’s no secret that homemade bone broth is one of the healthiest and nutrient-rich remedies for boosting your immune system! And now, you can enjoy its benefits in this delicious morning time No Flu Tea to kick-start your day and keep the germs away.

No Flu Tea

Recipe Via http://www.homemademommy.net

Ingredients:

2 cups homemade chicken stock

1 tsp ground turmeric

Pinch cinnamon

3 black peppercorns

2 whole cardamom pods

1 Inch fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

3-6 cloves raw or fermented garlic, minced

Instructions:

Bring all items except the garlic together in a saucepan and bring to a low simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Strain through a strainer and add in the garlic once the ‘tea’ has cooled down to the touch.

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Apple Cider Shots

For a shot you can’t get from the local bartender, reach for this sinus soothing concoction to stop your summer cold in its tracks! This drink not only has anti-inflammatory powers, it also boosts your immune system and lifts your energy levels. A little spicy, a little sweet, this tangy elixir does the body a whole lot of good!

Apple Cider Vinegar Shots

Recipe via http://www.popsugar.com

Ingredients:

¼ cup water

¼ cup unfiltered apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 wedge lemon

Instructions:

Bring water to a boil.

Combine hot water and apple cider vinegar. in a small glass or mug.

Add honey and cayenne pepper. Stir well. Top off with a squeeze of lemon.

Take a deep breath of the mixture, and start drinking.

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Coconut Cough Syrup

Just the mere mention of cough-syrup probably conjures up childhood memories of sticky sweet cherry-flavored liquid medicine that, let’s face it, tastes nothing like cherries and has enough sugar content to last you through flu season! But now that we’re older and wiser, we know the best things in life are natural, and that they don’t have to taste bad to be good for you! Next time you have a tickle in your throat, take a tasty swig of this yummy coconut cough syrup and let the anti-microbial properties and rich antioxidants do their job.

Honey, Lemon, and Coconut Cough Syrup

Recipe Via http://thecoconutmama.com

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

¼ cup local raw honey

2 tablespoons coconut oil

Instructions:

Mix all the ingredient together in a small saucepan and heat over low until coconut oil is melted.

Take warm syrup by the spoonful as desired. You can also mix the syrup into hot water or tea.

Once Syrup is cooled, the coconut oil will harden.

Store in refrigerator for up to a month. Gently warm before using.

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All Natural Vapor Rub

That summer cold got your all stuffed up? Well, now you can breathe easy with this natural alternative to your go-to Vicks Vapor Rub. Created with simple and natural ingredients, this silky homemade salve filled with eucalyptus oil will stimulate your immune system and relieve chest pain for a good summer night’s’ sleep.

DIY All-Natural Vapor Rub

Recipe via http://www.mommypotamus.com

Ingredients:

4 teaspoons grated beeswax

3 tablespoons cocoa, shea or mango butter

7 tablespoons coconut oil

60 drops high-quality essential oil

Instructions:

Blend together and enjoy

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Hibiscus Cough Drops

Sick of all the sugary menthol-y artificial tasting cough drops on the market? When your summer cold lingers and leaves your poor throat dry and scratchy, reach for these delightful little homemade hibiscus drops to stay lubricated throughout your day. They’re so tasty they’ll feel like a sweet treat, sans all that unnecessary sugar.

DIY Hibiscus and Lemon Cough Drops

Recipe via http://theviewfromgreatisland.com

Ingredients:

1 cup strongly brewed hibiscus tea

1 ¼ cups granulated sugar

Juice of half a lemon

Confectioner’s sugar for coating

Instructions:

Prepare 2 mini silicone candy molds by spraying them lightly with cooking spray.

Put the tea and sugar in a small heavy saucepan and stir to dissolve the sugar. Insert a candy thermometer and bring the mixture to a boil.

Boil until the thermometer reads 300F. DON’T STIR. If your mixture starts to

scorch towards the end of the cooking, turn the heat down slightly.

Turn off the heat and add the lemon juice. Stand back as it may spit.

Gently spoon the hot mixture into the candy mold or molds. You need to work

fairly quickly because the candy will start to set up as it cools.

Let the molds sit until set, or put them in the refrigerator to speed things up.

Un-mold the drops and lightly coat them with powdered sugar to keep them

from sticking.

Store in an airtight container.