Ah, the holidays. A magical time of lights, festivities and never ending runny noses. It’s tough to avoid getting hit by some type of cold or bug this time of year but we think we’ve got just the thing to help you keep the germs away (or at least help you get over your cold faster). We’re excited to share our current obsession – our Fight the Cold Elixir. The entire PN team has been sipping on this magical concoction the past month. It’s seriously been on our stovetops nonstop but once you take a look at the super powerful, immune-boosting, cold-busting ingredients you’ll know why!

Lemon

While they taste acidic, lemons are actually alkaline in the body and there’s some evidence to support an alkaline body is key to good health. Lemons are also very high in vitamin C which is crucial for fighting colds. They can even help remove toxins from the digestive tract and liver which can improve immunity (and fight bloat and clear skin!)

Ginger

Ginger has amazing antimicrobial properties (antimicrobial = anti-germs). It can clear congestion, ease nausea, soothe throat pain, kill cold viruses and combat fevers….ginger, you nasty!

Turmeric

Where do we even begin? People have been using this yellow root for thousands of years for its medicinal properties. It’s known for its curcuminoids which have powerful anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antifungal properties…. all helpful for fighting colds and other icky winter symptoms. Tip: consume turmeric with a little black pepper to increase its absorption and boost its effects! (Don’t worry, we got ya covered. We added a pinch of pepper to the elixir so you can reap all of turmeric’s amazing benefits!)

Cinnamon

This popular (and yummy) spice actually has amazing medicinal properties. It’s loaded with antioxidants, directly supporting your immune system. Cinnamon is anti-inflammatory and it can help your body fight bacterial and viral infections. As if that weren’t enough, cinnamon can lower total cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar levels, and even change blood markers in folks with Type 2 diabetes. Don’t underestimate this sexy little spice!

Cayenne

This chili pepper can be bought dried in powdered form and used as a spice to add tons of heat and flavor to dishes. We love it for its ability to break up congestion and mucus during cold season and ease headaches. It’s also a great natural pain reliever, improves circulation, and boosts metabolism. Now that’s hot!

Honey

Honey has incredible antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It also acts a demulcent (just a fancy word for creating a protective film) which is great for sore throats. In fact, honey has been proven to be more effective than over the counter cough medicine at soothing coughs during the night. Sa-weeeet!

As incredible as these ingredients are, we’d be remiss not to mention the importance of taking care of your body throughout the year. Don’t get us wrong, our Fight the Cold Elixir is pretty magical but you also need to eat well (plenty of fruits and veggies, high quality protein and healthy fats), manage your stress, and stay active – all powerful immune boosters! Ok, now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for…. our Fight the Cold Elixir recipe!

Fight the Cold Elixir

Ingredients

• 1 whole lemon, sliced into rounds
• 1-2″ knob of ginger, sliced
• 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
• 1 cinnamon stick (or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (less if you’re sensitive to heat)
• Pinch of fresh ground black pepper
• 1-2 tablespoons honey

Directions

1. Place all ingredients except for the honey in a saucepot with 4-6 cups of water.
2. Bring to a boil and simmer for ~ 10 minutes.
3. Let cool slightly then mix in your honey. Sip allllll winter long.