fun with cold remedies

[nynaeve]

After dodging them all winter, I somehow caught a cold this week, in glorious 24°C spring weather. Kinda like the time I enjoyed a perfectly healthy February in Japan, then promptly caught a cold upon my return to L.A

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[jedifreac]

"To get a good night's sleep and to clear a stuffed-up nose, try an old English remedy-the hot toddy. This hot water- or tea-based tonic flavored with liquor (typically whiskey or brandy), lemon juice, and honey may ease cold symp- toms, says Ara DerMarderosian, Ph.D., professor of pharmacognosy (the study of natural products in medicine) and medicinal chemistry at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. "Alcohol has some antimicrobial properties, thins the mucus, and has sedative qualities," he says. "Lemon provides vitamin C and citric acid, which loosens phlegm. And honey coats and soothes the mucus membranes."

But avoid tippling too much, especially when the cold is at its peak. A moderate amount of alcohol-as in a toddy-is considered relatively safe. Too much can interfere with your sleep, cause dehydration, and hinder immune function, prolonging the cold. "

[nynaeve]

Ha, thanks for the reminder. Someone actually recommended that to me when I caught a nasty cold in London last summer. (August of all times... Yep, definitely starting to see a pattern.)

This is the first time I've seen it broken down and explained, though. Thanks!