OK, I KNOW I can’t really claim that I have the cure for the common cold, duh. All I know is… every time my kids and I start wheezing or sneezing or otherwise feel the crud coming on, I make this, we drink a lot of it, and BOOM… we’re better. Just last week, for example, Annie and I both started feeling crummy. I made a batch of this Immune Brew, and both of us were back to normal by the next day. Katie was home sick Friday, and guess what… I made her drink it, and what appeared to be the flu with 102* fever is gone today.

It’s easy enough to make, and I personally believe it’s quite tasty {but don’t ask Katie. She shrieks and flails and falls out on the floor in a huge dramatic display when I make her drink it. But she acts like that about everything these days. Eleven-year-old drama, you know}.

I can’t claim credit for this; my friend Mary Jo first introduced me to her own version of this ‘tea’ made with Thyme, Lemon, Honey, Garlic, Ginger, and Chile peppers. Every one of those ingredients was made by God himself with powerful healing properties. 




This is my version. Just put any amount of the following superfood ingredients (except the honey) into your stock pot with a couple of quarts of filtered water, and heat until warm but drinkable, then stir in a tablespoon or so of honey. That’s it. 




Rosemary. I first subbed Rosemary for the Thyme in Mary Jo’s recipe without even knowing if it would work, because, well, we have a prolific little Rosemary plant in our backyard, and it was what I had. And then I read about how Rosemary is great for respiratory issues, and I knew it was the perfect addition to our tea. Plus it tastes good.




Lemon. Everybody knows lemon (all citrus, really) is great for coughs and colds, and that’s why your grandmother drank it with honey and whiskey.

Honey. Preferably raw. Raw honey has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. It’s a powerful antioxidant, strengthens the immune system, and eliminates allergies. And there’s more: it’s an expectorant and anti-inflammatory and great for respiratory issues.




Garlic. Garlic is God’s great miracle cure for everything. Seriously. It’s antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral. What can’t garlic do? Nothing, that’s what. 




Ginger. There is a reason that ginger has played an important role in Asian medicine for 2,500 years: Ginger is great for chills, colds, nausea, tummy-ache, allergies, asthma, and kills cold viruses and has pain-relieving properties making it perfect for treating flu or strep throat.




Cayenne. This is another miracle food I had growing in my garden. Cayenne is anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, fights ulcers, and aids digestion. It stimulates gastric juices, aids metabolism, and relieves gas. 




Cinnamon. Cinnamon is one of the world’s most widely-used digestive aids. It’s anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and great for bad breath. It calms the stomach, increases circulation, and suppresses infections.

Ladle out the ‘tea’ into a mug, add honey to taste, and sip all day. I leave it simmering on my stove all day, adding more water as we drink it.

Immune Brew Tea
Ingredients
Rosemary, two large sprigs
One Lemon, sliced thinly
Honey, appx. one tablespoon per cup of tea
2 Garlic cloves, sliced thinly
Ginger, one small root, sliced thinly
Cayenne pepper, whole (*I’ve also made this with a sliced cayenne pepper and it makes a smokin’ hot tea, which I like but my girls do not! For them, I leave the pepper whole and it adds taste without the heat.)
Filtered water

Directions
Combine above ingredients in a stock pot with two quarts filtered water. Heat until warm. Ladle out 6-8 ounces into a mug and stir in honey to taste. Sip as many cups as you need until you feel better. I keep my stock pot on simmer and add more water as we drink it.