It’s that time of year – it is cold and you most likely have a cold (or worse, the flu). So, I thought I would share my remedy for both warming up on a bone-chilling day and clearing out those sinuses when a wicked head cold hits.
Warming ingredients to warm you up
A tonic in the traditional sense is a drink made with herbs and medicinals and it promotes health and well-being. I promise, you will feel warm/well after drinking this baby.
Cut the turmeric and ginger into ‘coins’ – you don’t even need to bother peeling
Greg had learned that I have a few ‘potions’ in my arsenal to battling a winter cold. Some of them range from unpleasant like the infamous Netti Pot to literally distasteful like my mix of oil oregano / kick ass immune / grapefruit seed extract (tastes awful but literally sends germs running for cover).
Simmer the ginger and turmeric ‘coins’ for 10 – 15 minutes depending on how strong you want your infusion. I love this mahogany color
This tonic tea tastes delicious rather than medicinal – spicy, floral and sweet – good enough to actually WANT to drink, and not just when you have a spot of the flu.
Simple, fresh ingredients: turmeric root, lemon, ginger root, wild honey, cayenne pepper
With fresh ginger and fresh turmeric making an appearance along with lots of honey and a twist of lemon you have all the ingredients to soothe your throat, ease your lungs, and clear your head. Served hot, it will literally warm you from the inside out.
Strange kitchen alchemy going on here – when you add the lemon juice the tea goes from a deep reddish-brown to bright yellow. Add the honey? It turns back again. Weird, huh?
Powdered dry turmeric is one of the main ingredients in curry. Fresh turmeric is a revelation. It is used in traditional medicines for arthritis, headaches, stomach ailments, and is reported to help reduce inflammation and regulate blood sugar levels. All that aside – it tastes amazing!
Add as little or as much cayenne as you want – depending on how much heat you can handle and how much you need to clear your sinuses
Ingredients
- 3 knobs or 'knuckles' of Fresh Turmeric
- 3 knobs or 'knuckles' of Fresh Ginger Root
- 4 cups Water
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- Juice from 1/2 a Lemon
- A dash of Cayenne Pepper, optional
Method
- Slice the turmeric and ginger into thin coins - no need to peel. Add them to a sauce pan with the water.
- Bring the concoction to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer, covered for 10-12 minutes - long enough to throughly steep the ginger and turmeric.
- Pour the steaming hot ginger/turmeric infusion into a mug - leaving behind any solids.
- You will have more of this infusion than you will need for one cup. I usually just stick any leftovers on a back burner and heat it up later when I am ready for more.
- Add the honey, a squeeze of lemon and a dash of cayenne. Give it a stir and enjoy hot.
- You can get a several more comforting cups of tonic out of one pot - just keep adding water and reheating. The ginger and turmeric will keep giving up their essence for several generations of heating.
- Enjoy!
Another use for fresh turmeric? Grated into a stir fry
Some other ideas for fresh turmeric:
- Ah-Maze-Ing with sautéed greens
- Delish in a stir fry in place of fresh ginger – a little goes a long way, but your taste buds will thank you
- Ground up in a mortar and pestle and added to curry anything
- Put it in your morning smoothie – like this tropical mango one
Lydia, hot sauce hoarder
I’m going to get some fresh Tumeric this weekend and try this. I can’t wait for the taste experience. Thanks for improving on the old family recipe!
Let us know how you like it. It has been my food fetish this January.