Some weeks ago, there was a virus going around, which my daughter catched and brought home. It took quite a while until I also started to feel a scratching in my throat.

A few years ago I learned from some friends about ginger syrup they always buy in their local supermarket. Unfortunately, where I live these things are not available, so I made it myself.

I am not going to talk about all the benefits ginger and honey have. This you will be able to read in may articles in the web. Just in relation of preventing a bad cold: Honey contains besides of several vitamines (of which also is Vitamin C) anti-inflammatory enzymes. It is said that it is doing the same job relieving from coughing as expensive syrups containg antibiotics would do. Ginger also contains anti-inflammatory gingerols. The shaogals in the root also helps to relieve a sore throat and kill rhinoviruses, which cause colds in the first place.

As I was not in the mood to get sick I looked after my recipe for ginger syrup I usually make especially in winter.

I drank every morning one glass of the diluted syrup and additional in the afternoon a glass of orange juice. I was able to catch up the cold before it really could start to break out and passed this cold just with a bit scratchy throat for about three days.

What you need:

150-180 gr fresh ginger root
1 liter water
500 ml honey

How to prepare:

Peel the ginger root and chop in a blender.

In a pot combine the chopped ginger with 1 liter of water and bring to boil. Let cook on medium heat for appr. 30 minutes.

Pass the ginger water from a sieve to remove the remaining root. If necessary pass the water from a clean cloth.

Bring the liquid to boil again on high and let cook with open lid for about 40-60 minutes until reduced to appr. 250 ml.

Add the honey, stir well and bring to boil once. If you want remove the foam from the top.

Fill into a clean bottle. Makes appr. 500 ml of ginger syrup.