Winter remedies

While your medicine cupboards are filled with last year’s stock, you may be able to create some "Granny swears-by" style remedies with what you already have in the kitchen.

These are a few of our favourite winter remedies:

Syrups

Syrups are some of the best and most trusted herbal remedies for tackling sore throats. Syrups can be cooked down and sweetened with honey. The honey adds flavour but is also naturally antibacterial and effective at coating and soothing sore throats.

The best herbs to add to your medicinal syrup include elderberry, ginger, garlic, liquorice and peppermint.

If you want to make a big batch, avoid preservatives and it can last for up to two to three weeks. To increase its life a little longer, add a few drops of vitamin C powder and keep it in the fridge.

A simple remedy, but also sweet and delicious.

Bitters

Usually found in cocktails, bitters have in fact been used to treat illness for many years. Bitters are made of medicinal bitter roots, barks or leaves and are a popular remedy for improving digestion and supporting metabolism.

Popular herbs for this bitter remedy can include bitter melon, chamomile, dandelion, ginger and orange peel.

To make this remedy at home, tincture your chosen herbs with vodka. Store the solution in darkened glass bottles (with a dropper applicator) so you can reach for this remedy and add a few drops to your tongue when you feel the need.

For indigestion relief and a metabolism boost, take a teaspoon before dinner.

Elixirs

These are another traditional but tasty way to get your herbs. Elixirs are essentially sweetened tinctures that make use of the healing abilities of medicinal herbs such as ginger, ginseng, rhodiola and damiana.

This group of herbs are well known for supporting the body’s health and ability to manage stress. They are also thought to boost our energy levels.

Elixirs are commonly made with brandy, an alcohol that is much gentler on the stomach than vodka. As it is naturally warming and smooth, brandy elixirs are made for sipping.

Herbal medicines are used for their potentially beneficial effects on the body. Please do consult your doctor before taking any new remedy and discuss any potential treatment before giving the remedies to children.