Laid up with the flu? Suffering with a sore throat? From chicken bhuna to fire honey, this food should get you back on your feet
Hydrate with teas
For Dr Ricardo José, consultant in respiratory medicine, hydration is key: “It’s about taking frequent sips throughout the day to keep the mucous membranes moist.” Immunologist Dr Jenna Macciochi agrees, saying: “I often stir a spoonful of raw honey – nature’s soothing antimicrobial – into a cup of thyme tea (thyme steeped in water), which helps ease irritation and supports respiratory health. I also love marshmallow root tea, which is great for the mucous membranes.”
Try the carrot trick!
Tailor your food-based remedy to the type of cough you have. “For a dry, tickly cough, honey in warm tea – lemon or peppermint – is very soothing,” says José. “Another remedy I’ve always liked is shredding carrots, covering them with sugar and leaving them overnight in the fridge. By morning they release a sweet syrup; a spoonful coats the throat and helps calm down an irritating cough.” For a chesty cough, “warm liquorice root tea and foods with bromelain such as fresh pineapple may help reduce mucus thickness”.
