Many years ago a friend at work taught me a recipe for a natural throat soothing elixir that was so helpful and pleasant which is a rare combination especially when you are sick. I used to make up a few batches every winter as cold season made its annual presence felt. Once my dementia began to affect my mobility and I am out in the world less I do have the benefit of not getting colds or flus often. However, that also means that I have not made said elixir for a few years and could not really (thanks broken brain) remember how to make said elixir; I could remember the basic ingredients.
We have spent the last few days, with my daughter-in-law fighting off a terrible head cold, perfecting our new version of this beloved "syrup" and before I have the chance to forget again I promised to write it down where we won't lose it again. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to share it as well.
1 day supply:
2 bags of Yogi Throat Comfort or Lemon Ginger tea
2 Tbs Honey, (our favorite is pictured above)
1 Tbs Ginger paste (or fresh ground ginger, but when you are sick...really?)
1 Lemon
Steep tea for 20-30 minutes in 2 cups hot water, you want it really
strong.
Once tea syrup base is ready add honey and ginger while still warm.
Rinse lemon, roll using gentle pressure on a hard surface then cut
into quarters. Remove as many seeds as possible then squeeze as much juice as
you are able to into syrup. Set wedges aside**
Stir well and refrigerate.
Elixir can be used by the spoonful like a syrup or added to hot tea
as a soothing shot.
**We have found that cutting the lemon into smaller pieces after
juicing and adding the pieces to the elixir after stirring it well allows for
some of the syrup to saturate the pieces which can then be added to tea or just
eaten by themselves to sooth a sore throat.
