As the weather get windier and colder, flu and cold season kicks into gear. I get a little obsessive (wipe down the shopping cart like crazy, wash my hands numerous times a day and gulp down my immune boosting green smoothies). Yet no matter what I do, I’m bound to get one cold a year.
I recently made this all natural cold and flu remedy to be prepared when the germs start spreading. I keep it in the fridge and the first sign of a cold or flu, I just scoop out a few tablespoon, add hot water and enjoy some delicious and soothing tea.
Lemon: High in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant vital to a strong immune system and neutralize the activity of free radicals in the body, reducing the inflammation and swelling caused by free radicals in the body.
Ginger: Promotes a healthy sweating that aids in the detoxification of the body, which is often helpful when you have a cold or flu. Ginger is also helpful for settling upset stomachs, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and cold sweating.
Honey: Soothes a sore throats, making it an effective and natural cough suppressant. Honey may also boost the body’s immune system by aiding in the production of white blood cells. This improves the body’s ability to fight infection and decreases the risk of fevers. The natural sweetness of honey also balances the tartness of the lemon and the ginger’s spice, giving honey, lemon and ginger tea its soothing flavor.
Lemon, Ginger and Honey in a Jar
You can make this immunity boosting, body soothing concoction ahead of time and store in the fridge. Keeps for months when refrigerated.
Ingredients
- 2 lemons (thoroughly cleaned)
- 2 piece of fresh ginger (about the size of your pointer and middle finger)
- Raw honey
- 12 oz mason jar
Directions
1. Slice lemons and ginger.
2. Place the lemon and ginger slices in the mason jar, alternativing layers of each.
3. Slowly, pour honey over the lemon and ginger. Allow the honey to sink down and around the lemon and ginger slices. Fill jar to the top with honey and seal tightly.
4. Store in the refridgerator. Over time, the mixture will start yo turn into a loose jelly.
5. When you are in need of some soothing tea, scoop 2-3 tablespoons into a mug full of hot water. Allow to seep for 3-4 minutes and sip away.
I read on a website/post somewhere a few days ago when I first heard of this that you can just keep adding to the jar. Do you do this or just make a new jar? I can’t find where I saw it and have already gone through about half my jar! The first couple of drinks I took a couple of slices of lemon out but not sure if I should or not??? It makes it so much easier than squeezing a lemon every time when you’re not feeling well.
Hi Di! We personally do not refill the jar, or squeeze a lemon every time we use this mixture. Once we run out of liquid in the jar, we just make a new one
I made this in January and it has been in the fridge ever since. Will it still be okay? I never felt like I was coming down with a cold … but I want to use it before it goes bad.
Thanks!
I would still use it.
Question?? How long can you keep this in the fridge? How long does it last?
You can store it for a few months— yet I have a feeling you will use it up before that. It’s some good stuff!
Hi there, can’t wait to try this, have a cold at the moment and the kids are all clogged up so may try this on them too. If I don’t have a glass jar to make this in, is it possible to make this in a plastic container and will it still hold for the same time? thanks
Hi Norah— sorry to hear you are all sick. You can definitely use a plastic jar to store this. By prepping and combining all ingredients at once it saves you time each day from making the tea from scratch. All you do is heat up some water and drop a big scoop of this into it and you have some soothing tea. Get well soon.
Hey i just made it, but how long should i let it be in the fridge before i can use it?
Hi, my mom is currently sick with the flu. I wanted to make this for her but was wondering how long I have to let it sit before she can use it?
Thanks
Your poor mom! You actually don’t need to let it sit— just scoop out a few tablespoons and add boiling water to it. Give it a few minutes to cool down and then have her sip. Hope she feels better soon Chelsea.
I get sick every time winter rears its ugly head. I am sick now so I couldn’t wait to try this. So far, I am loving it. Hoping it can help me with this terrible cough.
Hope it helps Ryan!
I just made a jar of this because my daughter is sick and I want to give her this fantastic tea to help her feel better. I will drink it as well to help me not to get it. Love this site. Thank you for your ideas.
Hope you all feel better! There seems to be a lot going around lately.
thank you! My son is sick and we’ve been drinking this all week. Even my healthy kids are asking for it. I’ve been adding more honey and/or lemon/ginger as they deplete the bottle. This has such a refreshing taste with a perfect amount of sweetness.
LOVE this! i can’t wait to make it!!! i might throw in some cayenne to up the heat / expectorant factor!
This is such a great idea! I discovered your amazing website after following you on instagram for some time. You ladies and your incredible recipes and creative ideas continue to inspire my family and I. Thank you!!
P.S- love the simple format of this website, you guys are great.
Awww, thanks Monica! I appreciate the kind words and glad you like the website. I spent a lot of time on that baby.
Thanks for the great recipe! I made a batch and added Cinnamon sticks, a teaspoon of ground Tumeric, tsp crushed garlic and a tsp of ground cayenne pepper (all for health benifits), I also added about a tsp of ground cinnamon. It came out great! I layer mine which it came out perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Cinnamon sticks would be soooo yummy! Glad you enjoyed and hope it helps you when you need something soothing!
This sounds like such a nice thing to make and give to those who are not feeling good. Also sounds good enough to make, just to have when you need a little boaster shot (not the needle kind).
How long does it stay good for?
Hi Nicole. I’ve had it in the fridge for 2 months and it was fine. Honey is a natural preservative, which is awesome. I’ve heard of people storing it in the fridge for 4 months, but mine is gone before then.
Just made a similar concoction w/the lemon. Will try this! Thanks.
Love it Arianna! This is just so convenient by having it pre-made in the fridge. Last thing I want I do is head to the store when I’m sick. I’ve tried getting my kids to drink it, but they have never been warm drink fans sadly.
meant to say, I had similar concoction w/o the lemon.
made a batch of yours today, though.
if you have the time, try : ginger and brown sugar.
1. slice the ginger in very thin slices.
2. add one part ginger to one part brown sugar.
3. store and seal in mason jar. (make sure the mason jar is thorough clean using hot water.
4. leave in cool/dry place for 2 months. (yes, that’s a long time)
a little more planning required, but it’s great.
Thanks for sharing Arianna.