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Spicy Cold Remedy

The common cold can be miserable, with a runny nose, sore throat, foggy head and hacking cough. When you are sick and achy, spicy foods are actually an effective remedy. Spicy foods that burn a little will make your nose run and your eyes water, and this helps break up the congestion in your head.

  1. Ingredients

    • The ingredients you need for this spicy cold remedy can all be found at the supermarket. You will need minced onion and garlic, fresh ginger, horseradish, mustard seeds and black peppercorns. Purchase the horseradish and ginger as roots in the produce aisle, and then use a cheese grater to finely grate the roots. You will also need at least one cayenne pepper, or you can substitute dried chili flakes. Finally, you will need apple cider vinegar and honey. To mix and store the ingredients, use a glass pint jar, a plastic lid or cheesecloth and a plastic juice bottle with a plastic lid.

    Process

    • Making this cold remedy is easy. At the beginning of flu and cold season, mix the ingredients, because the remedy needs to process for two weeks. Mince the onion and the garlic and scrape them into the pint jar. Grate the ginger and horseradish roots finely, and add them to the jar, as well. Measure in the mustard seeds, peppercorn and chili peppers or pepper flakes. If you are using real peppers, chop them finely and add to the mixture. Scrub your hands immediately to prevent the juices from burning your skin. Slowly pour the vinegar over the ingredients in the jar. Make sure there is at least an inch of vinegar above the chopped and grated ingredients. Cap the jar with a plastic lid, or cover the jar with a piece of cloth and then screw on the lid, because vinegar will cause the lid to corrode. Allow the mixture to sit for two weeks, shaking it once each day to stir the ingredients. After two weeks, open the jar and strain the mixture into a bowl using the cheesecloth. When most of the mixture has strained out, wrap the cheesecloth around the herbs and squeeze to extract the rest of the fluid. Store the liquid in a plastic jug and add the honey, which will help preserve the drink.

    Use

    • This spicy cold remedy will last up to two years if it is stored in the correct container in a cool, dark place. When you get a cold, swallow about ½ to 1 spoonfuls every hour to clear the congestion and help you feel better.

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