Instructions for preparing 3 simple dishes to ward off colds

According to Dr. Ha Cuong - Xanh Pon General Hospital, cold is a disease caused by a virus infection in the upper respiratory tract such as the nose and throat. The disease is not too dangerous but often causes discomfort for the sufferer.

Most people tend to catch colds in the winter and spring, but colds can happen at any time of the year. Cold weather does not directly cause colds, but it does provide an opportunity for viruses to enter and cause illness.

When having a cold, the patient needs to have a reasonable rest regimen, eat nutritious food, get enough sleep,... to reduce fatigue, increase resistance, and prevent secondary infections. It is important to provide enough water for the body with filtered water, fruit juice, and warm soup to reduce cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, runny nose, fever, cough,...

1. Top Ginger Tea for Colds

Ginger is a familiar spice found in every kitchen and is used to quickly prevent colds. Ginger compounds have high anti-inflammatory properties. According to traditional medicine, ginger is effective in treating symptoms of colds, stuffy nose, vomiting, etc. Drinking ginger tea will remove excess fluid (phlegm) from the throat due to cold.

Loaded with antioxidants, ginger has been used as a form of alternative medicine throughout history. Ginger boosts immunity thanks to gingerol, a bioactive compound found in raw ginger that has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Ginger has also been shown to reduce symptoms associated with the common cold and flu.

Ingredient

2 cups clean water 2 tablespoons minced or crushed fresh ginger 1 lemon 2 tablespoons honey 3-5 fresh mint leaves (optional)

Making

Fill a pot with water. Add the minced ginger. If desired, add a few fresh mint leaves. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and let steep for 5 minutes. Pour the ginger tea through a fine sieve to remove the ginger pulp and pour into your favorite mug and let cool. Cut a lemon in half, squeeze half into the tea and cut the other half into thin slices. Drop 1-2 lemon slices into the ginger tea. Add a little honey and fresh mint leaves and enjoy.

2. Carrot turmeric soup boosts immunity

When you have a cold, hot soups and broths provide you with the calories you need and the warm food will help thin out mucus, relieving symptoms of congestion or phlegm in the throat. With ingredients rich in antioxidants, this dish can help reduce inflammation, relieving some cold symptoms.

This brightly colored carrot turmeric soup is packed with flavor and helps fight colds thanks to the vitamin A and carotenoids from the carrots as well as the potential immune-boosting benefits of nutrient-dense and antioxidant-rich garlic, onions, and ginger.

Ingredient

1½ tablespoons coconut oil or olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 tablespoon minced ginger 2 cloves minced fresh garlic 1½ tablespoons crushed fresh turmeric or 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice Pinch of salt and black pepper Optional garnishes: cilantro leaves, Greek yogurt, sunflower seeds

Making

Heat oil over medium heat, add chopped onion and cook until soft, 5-6 minutes. Stir in minced ginger and turmeric with 1 cup of stock and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add carrots and stock. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and cover. Cook until carrots are soft, about 20 minutes. Add orange juice, salt and pepper.

Using a blender, carefully puree the soup until smooth. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with garnishes like Greek yogurt, cilantro, and sunflower seeds and enjoy.

3. Garlic honey is effective against colds

Children get an average of 6-8 colds a year and adults an average of 2-4, so garlic honey is often used as a perfect all-natural sore throat remedy. When you have a cold, this mixture coats your throat and provides antioxidants that help fight bacterial, fungal and viral infections.

Raw garlic is a powerful immune booster that helps fight bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Combined with the antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties of honey, this mixture is a powerful "warrior" that helps repel cold and flu symptoms, increasing the body's resistance.

The garlic is ready to eat after a few days, and the flavor will improve after a few months of soaking in honey. This mixture will keep in the refrigerator for up to a year, so it’s a good idea to have a jar of garlic honey in the house for when you need it.

Ingredient

Fresh garlic, separated into cloves, peeled Pure honey Sterilized glass jar with lid

Making

Place the garlic in a glass jar, then pour honey over the garlic so that the honey covers the garlic but still has space in the jar. Cover the jar tightly with a lid and leave it at room temperature for a few days to let the mixture soak in. After 4-5 days, store the jar of garlic honey in the refrigerator. The garlic honey will stay fresh for 1 year.

At the first sign of a cold, start eating 1 or 2 cloves every hour, up to 6 cloves per day. Honey can be taken by the spoonful as a cough syrup. You can also mix 1 spoonful of honey with a little apple cider vinegar and hot water and drink it as a tonic when you are sick.