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Q. Now that my son is in daycare, I am constantly getting his colds and coughs. What can you recommend for easing the symptoms? I am not big on drugstore remedies.
A. Readers of this column are enthusiastic about ginger. Here are just a few anecdotes:
“I must testify what a wonderful hot drink one can make from grating about 1 inch of fresh ginger, putting it in a little wrap of cheese cloth or in one of those mesh spoons used for tea leaves and letting it steep in a mug of hot water. It is fantastic for combating colds...a refreshing and spicy tonic.”
Another reader says, “Someone just told me about drinking ginger tea for a cold. It’s miraculous. Within minutes after sipping the tea I got relief from my stuffy nose and scratchy throat. I just sliced some fresh ginger and poured hot water over it and added a little honey.”
Here is another variation on the ginger theme: “I make a tea with 1 inch fresh grated ginger, 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, 1 pinch cayenne pepper, and 2 tsp. honey or maple syrup for my colds. This was taught to me by someone who studied Ayurvedic medicine in India. I love the taste--it's sweet and spicy. My measurements are rough estimates. I just add the ingredients to taste.”
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I grew up in Taiwan and my mother used to boil ginger tea for me to drink when I caught cold. It is a very common practice in Taiwan. I am still doing it in US. I boil ginger in a pot for minutes to get more out of ginger root.