Folk remedies for the winter cold

brian mcquater -

By Brian McQuater, First Year, English

The Croft Magazine // Catching a cold is almost guaranteed at this time of year. Whilst we're all dosed up on cold and flu medicines, there may be a few traditional folk remedies that are easy, cheap and certainly a bit different!

Winter is a time of colds, coughs and flu. Few people get away without catching something during this cold weather, but don't worry because nature and folk medicine offer us some exciting solutions that you might never have heard of! In my opinion the second two work but I have not had the courage to try the onion tea, however, I am assured it works.

Traditional Hungarian recipe: Onion Tea

Ingredients

  • 1 kg onion
  • 3 litres of water
  • lemon

Method:

Remove the outer dirty skin of the onion. Wash the onions and cut them into four. Place in three litres of water and bring to the boil until the water is reduced to half. Allow to cool, filter and sweeten with honey. Drink at least one cup at a time.

The cough usually disappears after 2-3 doses. But if not, continue the course for 2-3 days.  

Traditional Scottish Recipe: The Hot Toddy

Ingredients:

  • 35ml of blended Scotch whisky
  • 1 tbsp Honey
  • 100ml – 200ml of boiling water
  • One lemon  

Method:

Should you not be a fan of whisky, substitute in a spirit of your choice such as Scottish gin or even rum for a deliciously different taste.

Cut the lemon in half then cut a half inch slice from one of the halves and put to one side. Pour the whisky into the glass, then add the honey and boiling water. Obviously, adding a larger amount will dilute the taste so I recommend 150ml, so the glass is only three quarters full, but how much you wish to add is up to you.

Next, squeeze the juice from one half of the lemon into the glass and stir. This is best taken just before going to bed to get the full benefit        

Traditional Hungarian recipe 2: Honey and Garlic

Ingredients:

  • Honey
  • Garlic

Method:

A spoon full of  honey helps the medicine go down. Take 1-2 (or 3) cloves of garlic and chop into small bits. Sprinkle on a teaspoon of honey. Take every two hours, preferably not on an empty stomach. You could make up a full treatments worth by using a whole garlic bulb, and half a jar of honey, this will last several days.