If the common cold strikes your household this season, try these 3 naturopath approved home remedies to help shorten illness duration, and get you feeling better faster!

1) Garlic Lemonade

• Finely mince 2 cloves of fresh garlic and place in a 1-quart Mason jar

• Fill the jar with boiling water and cover for thirty minutes

• Strain out the garlic pieces and add the juice of one whole lemon

• Sweeten to taste with honey

• Drink as warm as possible several times daily

2) Onion Syrup

• Layer slices of 1 medium sized onion with 1-2 cups of sugar in a glass jar until full

• Let the mixture sit in a cool place for 1 to 2 days

• Strain out the onion and bottle the syrup in an amber jar

• Store the syrup in the refrigerator or in a cool place (you can use the syrup up to 8 weeks)

• Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon 3 times a day in a herbal tea such as ginger or garlic lemonade

3) Immune Support Soup

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 4 or 5 astragalus sticks

• 1 cup celery, chopped

• 1 cup green beans, chopped

• 2 cups carrots or other root vegetables, chopped

• 2 large potatoes, chopped

• 4 dried or 2 fresh shiitake mushrooms

• Basil, parsley, tarragon, oregano, thyme or other culinary herbs to taste

• 1 pound cooked chicken breast or tofu, cut into small cubes

• 1 to 2 tablespoons white miso

• 1 cup whole wheat pasta or gluten free rice pasta

• 8 cups water

In health and happiness,

Dr. Meghan van Drimmelen | Naturopath Victoria BC