Winter is almost over, but with particularly vicious strain of the flu making it’s way around the country there are still plenty of people out there battling runny noses and sore throats.

Even after the worst of the cold or flu has passed, coughs often persist and can sometimes take weeks to disappear completely. While it may be annoying, the cough is actually the body’s way of expelling mucus, microbes, and foreign particles from the respiratory tract, according to Harvard Health Publications.

The cough helps to protect the lungs from infection and inflammation and helps to aid the recovery process. Coughs will usually go away without medical treatment as they are often a symptom of a viral infection, rather than a bacterial infection.

If your cough is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may recommend antibiotics. However, if you’re battling the more common ‘viral cough’ there are other complementary methods you can use to help sooth your scratchy throat.

Naturopath Anthia Koullouros suggest a healing, soothing tea recipe to help build your immunity and calm your throat.

Use natural ingredients with proven healing properties to help banish infections and relieve symptoms. Ingredients such as ginger root, traditionally used in herbal medicine as a circulatory stimulant, vasodilator, and expectorant, as well as lemon and thyme leaves are excellent immunity boosters.

Other powerful ingredients include olive leaf extract, which is traditionally used in western herbal medicine to support the immune system and relieve symptoms of coughs, colds, flu, sore throats and upper respiratory tract infections.

Try this ‘soothing sore-throat tea’ to kick off your recovery.

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 5mls of olive leaf extract
• 1 teaspoon of Manuka honey
• 1 squeeze of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves
• 1⁄2 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger root
• ¼ teaspoon of turmeric root powder
• 1 cup of freshly boiled water

Method

1. Add all ingredients except olive leaf extract to a teapot with freshly boiled water.
2. Brew for 5 minutes.
3. Pour tea through the strainer.
4. Stir in the olive leaf extract.
5. Sip while warm

*Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare practitioner.

Have you had the flu or a cold this winter? Do you like to use natural remedies?