Firstly, as in summer, we need to keep hydrated. However, in winter it is best to drink warm drinks: Personally, I recommend tisanes and herbal teas (including ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla) and also herbal teas made from berries, such as rosehip and cranberry, due to their high vitamin C content. Similarly, organic honey and lemon is highly recommended at this time, as are simple hearty vegetable soups and stews.

A favourite recipe of mine which I recommend to many of my patients is as follows: Take half a litre of cold water, and add a small amount of dried fruit (fig, apricot, or date) and the skin of one lemon. Then add one apple split onto four equal parts, and do not discard the seeds. Add half a cinnamon stick, a slice of ginger, and a clove bud. Bring this mixture to the boil, then steep for approximately 15 minutes. Strain the mixture, then taste – if it is not sweet enough for your taste, add some organic honey. Finally, drink and enjoy!

We also need to try and stop our immediate external environment from becoming too dry, either with a humidifier, or with bowls of water on radiators, ideally with a few drops of organic balsamic essential oil added: This will help to decongest your airways. Read the rest of this entry »