Well our household has had a very rough start to 2014. Three of us have been stricken with the flu and its a downright nasty one too. This time I was more prepared than last time but still not prepared enough. I had most of what I needed on hand to make natural remedies, however I didn’t have the strength or the stamina to do it! Lesson learned before flu season gets underway have all the necessary items made and ready to go. Fortunately I have a 20 year old son that when mom is sick the caretaker in him kicks in.
Once I got to feeling better I was able to make cough syrup and some “just like vicks” shower pucks. The cough syrup does take some getting used to but it is so worth it and does wonders!
Honey & Onion Cough Syrup
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup Honey
Optional:1tsp Cloves (ground or whole)
1-2 Tbsp Ginger, Fresh chopped or 1tsp ground
Put onions in a sauce pan then cover with honey( add more honey if needed). Simmer on low for 20 minutes. Strain the onions out and keep the remaining honey in a glass jar. Keep refrigerated.
Dosage:
Over age of 10: 1 Tbsp every 1/2 hour as needed.
Under age of 10: 1 tsp every 1/2 hour as needed.
DO NOT GIVE TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF ONE.
This cough syrup at first is very sweet then the onion hits you. However it does a great job if you can get past the onion. I have found when using cloves it does cut down on the oniony taste somewhat. I didn’t have any cloves on hand since the holidays so we had to just deal with the onions. Now that I’m feeling better hindsight tells me I should have had my camera ready each time someone took it. Those faces were priceless!
The one item I was able to make while being so sick was a sore throat tea which is super easy to make. That’s probably why I was able to make it!
Sore Throat Tea
2 Tbsp Raw Honey2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
Dash of Cinnamon
Hot Water
Put all the ingredients into a cup and pour the hot water over and stir. Make and drink as often as needed for sore throat.
I will definitely be more prepared next time I have a house full of sickies!
Are you prepared for the flu to strike your house? What do you have already on hand?
Happy New Year!