Winter bugs

I though it might be a wise idea to get some ideas down for the annual arrival of the yule-tide viruses. 'Tis the season to be snotty, and grumbling to yourself while sat as close to the heater as you can. As I'm writing this, I'm midway through my own dose of xmas "man-flu", but I doubt I'm the only sniffler, sneezer or wheezling...

A couple natural remedies I've come across myself that do help with some of the symptoms:

* Garlic / Onion - uncooked garlic and onion contain a natural cold and flu fighter
called ''allicin''. (Not recommended if you plan to do lot of kissing
- though you can now buy bottles of 'odourless garlic tablets' from
places like Holland & Barrett, but I don't personally agree with a
natural remedy being charged at £4.99 from a "health" company
who are allegedly owned by the same people as McDonald's!)

* Chilli / Spices - hot and spicy food naturally thins the mucus, clearing out any
blocked noses or froggy throats.

* Rosemary tea - put a medium-small sprig of fresh rosemary in a mug (or if you
havn't got fresh, use a tea strainer and dried rosemary works fine)
and infuse in boiled water for a couple minutes, then flavour with
either sugar or honey (which is best, as it's naturally anti-bacterial).
Rosemary will clear your bloodstream of toxins and impurities.


I'll bet my buttons that someone's got some more ideas, so let's hear 'em! Its the plight of the crusties!!