Runny nose, coughing fits and scratchy throat… Winter is the season of all viruses. Fortunately, there are natural and, above all, simple and effective techniques to boost your immune system, fight against the many germs that surround us or even alleviate certain symptoms and recover more quickly in the event of winter illness.
Plant-based, flavored with spices… Here are the most effective hot drinks to ward off winter viruses.
Chicken soup to strengthen immune function
Chicken soup is a traditional drink in the United States during the winter. And for good reason: as demonstrated by a study from the University of Nebraska (in the United States) published in 2017, this broth made from chicken, vegetables and spices would have the ability to reduce general inflammation of the body and accelerate recovery in the event of nasopharyngitis.
The recipe (for 4 people): peel and cut into sections 4 large carrots and 4 stalks of celery. Peel and cut 1 large onion into strips. Bring a pot of water to a boil then reduce to a simmer; put a whole chicken (minimum 1.5 kilo) as well as the vegetables and onion. Generously add salt, pepper and spices (turmeric, cayenne pepper and paprika); cook uncovered for 4 hours. Regularly, skim off the foam that forms on the surface of the broth. The meat is done when it falls easily from the bones. Serve very hot, at least twice a week.
Thyme herbal tea to breathe better
The health benefits of thyme have been known since Antiquity: Hippocrates, the “father of medicine”, already spoke of its diuretic, expectorant, emmenagogue and antitussive properties. We now know that if thyme is good for health, it is mainly thanks to certain molecules present in its flowers and leaves – thymol, carvacrol, geraniol, linalool… These phenols help to clear the respiratory tract , to calm coughs and eliminate bronchial mucus.
The recipe (for about 5 cups): boil 1 liter of water. Add 25 g of fresh or dried thyme leaves (if possible: from the garden) and leave to infuse, covered, for 5 to 8 minutes. Drink 1 to 2 hot cups every day during a “cold snap”.
Turmeric infusion to boost immunity
Traditionally used by Indian and Chinese medicines for millennia, turmeric owes its numerous health properties to its number 1 active ingredient: curcumin. This molecule has numerous virtues validated by Science: it is both antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-cancer and protective of the cardiovascular system. On the immunity side, curcumin promotes the production of certain cells of the immune system (B and T lymphocytes, in particular) and accelerates the production of antibodies in the event of infection.
The recipe (for 1 cup): heat 200 mL of water without boiling. Add a pinch of turmeric powder, the juice of 1/2 lemon, a few drops of honey and a pinch of black pepper: let it infuse for 5 minutes, covered, then mix well and drink very hot, 2 cups per day throughout. Winter.
Echinacea herbal tea against winter viruses and bacteria
Echinacea is a plant native to North America which produces pretty pink flowers: in the garden, it is very resistant and is best planted in autumn or spring. Recognized for its immunostimulating properties, it is both antiviral and antibacterial: in winter, echinacea tea is taken to prevent ENT diseases – colds, flu, bronchitis, tonsillitis, etc.
The recipe (for 1 cup): boil 200 mL of water in a saucepan. Let it infuse 1 tbsp. to c. of roots or dried aerial parts of echinacea for about 10 minutes, covered. Filter and drink up to 3 cups per day from the end of October, without waiting until you are sick. Attention ! In case of allergy to Asteraceae or immune system disorders, prior medical advice is necessary.
Mulled wine to avoid getting sick
It is “the” emblematic winter drink par excellence: mulled wine is traditionally prepared with red wine and spices – cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg… If this festive drink obviously becomes bad for health when abused (as a reminder: alcohol is 2 glasses per day and not every day!), it also has some interesting properties: thus, according to a Spanish study published in 2010, people who drink mulled wine daily would have a 40% lower risk of catching a “cold”.
The recipe (for 1 bottle of approximately 1.5 L): in a pot, put 1.5 L of red wine, 180 g of brown sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, the zest of 1 lemon, the zest of 1 orange, 2 star anise, 2 cloves, 1 piece of chopped fresh ginger and 1 knife tip of grated nutmeg. Bring gently to the boil and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes. Filter and serve hot.
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