HOME REMEDY

TRADITIONAL treatments for common illnesses. This week: Sage tea for a sore throat INGREDIENTS: 250ml water, 1 tsp sage leaves (around three to four leaves).

WHAT TO DO: Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Put the sage leaves in a cup and pour the water over them. leave to infuse for ten minutes, then strain and drink.

This tea can also be used for gargling — do this twice a day.

WHY IT WORKS: The word sage can be traced back to the latin word salvare, which means ‘healing’.

The essential oils contained in sage leaves are antiinflammatory, fungicidal, antibacterial and work against viruses.

EXTRACTED from Vinegar Socks by Karin Berndl & Nici Hofer (Hardie Grant, £12.99).