Tried and tested

EFFECTIVE TRADITIONAL REMEDIES

GARLIC I’m a fan of garlic as a cold or flu remedy and as a way to keep bugs at bay. Garlic contains an amino acid called allicin, released when the bulb is chopped, crushed or bitten; the plant uses allicin as protection against pests and diseases. Although research into its efficacy is in its early stages, clinical trials show that high doses of allicin are effective in preventing the common cold. Onions, too, contain allicin.

HONEY Often appearing alongside lemon and garlic, honey is a lovely ingredient but does it help cure the common cold, or simply mask the taste of less appetising ingredients? Honey does in fact contain

antioxidant, antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities that can help fight viral infections. It also helps boost the immune system.

SWEATING Sweat itself has been found to produce a protein called dermicidin, which helps fight infections. The dermicidin is secreted into the sweat glands and carried to the surface of the skin, where it protects against unhelpful microorganisms such as E coli,

Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus.

GINGER Another popular remedy that works is fresh ginger root, readily available. Ginger contains gingerols, similar to the compounds that give chillis

and black pepper their spicy bite. Gingerols are potent anti-inflammatories. Ginger can also ‘bring on a sweat’, which can in turn reduce feverish body temperatures.

LEMON Full of vitamin C!

SLOES The glittering black berries that can be found clinging to spiny blackthorn bushes right through the winter are often overlooked as medicine in favour of being immersed in gin. However, they’re astringent,

antioxidant, and can induce sweat as well as reduce a fever. Pick in the autumn and freeze for winter use.

HAWS The bright red fruits of the hawthorn bush are also high in antioxidants. Medical herbalists use both the berries and leaves to help treat various heart ailments. Although not yet an official drug in the UK, hawthorn is acknowledged as such in many other territories.

ROWAN BERRIES Often available in the winter months, rowan berries contain antioxidants and vitamin C. The astringent berries are used by medical herbalists to make a soothing gargle for sore throats. NOTE the internal ‘seeds’ of both haws and rowan berries should not be consumed.