Now, I don’t know about everybody else, but when it gets a little chilly outside and the weather is changing, I will almost always get one cold and experience sinus problems. I have asthma which can turn so quickly to bronchitis, so I don’t play with the onset of a cold.

I traveled to Jamaica one winter with my mom and caught a cold. I was miserable. The cook of our villa’s name was Miss Isabel. She was such a sweet lady and had I not met her, I wouldn’t be able to share this amazing recipe with you all. That was about 6 years ago and to this day, Miss Isabel’s concoction that I call “Winter Tea” is a staple in my kitchen not only during season changes, but whenever I’m not feeling good. I remember her saying, “Mi have something special on de stove for you when you return tonight, Miss Free,” and I was like, ‘Yes! It must be some special dessert or something.’

So when my mom and I returned from dinner, I remember the house smelling pungent yet sweet. Miss Isabel brought me a cup of her concoction and told me to drink up, and my coughing and phlegm and body would be better in the morning.

I looked in the cup (which was the biggest tea cup I’ve ever seen by the way; took two hands to hold it). Inside the cup were floating pieces of sliced ginger and garlic, but it smelled sweet. So I did what I was told and drank up.

I woke up the next morning and Miss Isabel was right. My cough had subsided and I immediately realized that the phlegm in my chest was loose and came up easy. Now, I’ll be honest, this tea is not for the faint of taste buds. LOL.

You need:
Fresh ginger
Fresh garlic
Honey (Raw is best, but regular will do. You can also substitute Agave Nectar for the honey if you want.)

All three of these ingredients have numerous natural healing properties. Look it up if you don’t believe me.

Directions:
Slice ginger (approximately 10 slices). Slice or chop FRESH garlic (approximately 1/4 cup).

Add them to a pot of water and bring to a boil for 20 minutes.

Add honey to taste while it’s boiling in the pan.

Either strain into a tea cup or leave the ginger and garlic in. (Some like to eat the garlic and ginger pieces. Needless to say, brushing your teeth would be a good idea after that.)

Serve hot and keep the pot on the stove for the day (the longer it steeps the better). Add more water and honey whenever you need it. I love to drink it at night. You can also make batches of it and put it in the refrigerator so that when you need some, it’s right there.

I know, I know. Garlic and ginger, Free? But try it. I promise you’ll be surprised and feel better sooner than normal. No over the counter medication can compare to the natural healing powers of garlic and ginger.

Enjoy and let me know how it works for you. You too will have a pot going at all times once you try it!

And don’t get it twisted. Adding Brandy to this will make you a hot toddy that you will not soon forget! But don’t give that batch to the kids, eh?

Previously: Sunday Eats: Kimpob (Korean Sushi)