When we had Covid and struggled with a bad cough and sore throat, this recipe from my mom helped us get through it.
Taking care of ourselves and our loved ones is important in these challenging times. We had been taking every precaution to avoid getting sick, but unfortunately, we still got Covid right after moving to our place in the city.
Greg had a terrible cough and was feeling weak, and I had a high fever and a sore throat. But thanks to a recipe from my mom, we were able to get through it with help from a traditional Thai herbal drink.
I reached out to my mom, and she shared a recipe with us that she finds very helpful during times of illness. She explained that the ingredients are known for boosting the immune system and can help with inflammation and prevent colds and the flu virus.
While this drink is not something we would consume every day, it can be a helpful remedy when we have flu symptoms like a sore throat, cough, temperature, and fatigue. So, let’s get started! The recipe has two parts.
First part: The concentrated juice
If you’re making this herbal drink for yourself and a loved one, that’s lovely! This recipe is perfect for drinking fresh, but you can even make extra and store it in the fridge for a few days. Here’s what you’ll need for two servings:
Garlic 10 g
Ginger 10 g
Red onion 10 g
You can chop the garlic, ginger, and red onion into fine pieces and a little bit of water so they can be blended together easily. The if you don’t mind the texture, you can use this straight away. However, if the taste is too strong for you, don’t worry. We can strain the mixture to get the juice out of it, making it easier to drink.
Second part: Prepare the drink
Now that we got the intense part, we will have to mix it with;
Hot water 100 ml
Honey 1 tablespoon
Lemon/Lime juice 1 – 2 tablespoon
Salt just a bit
Once you’ve added all the ingredients to the concentrated juice, mix them thoroughly. Then, take a deep breath, and raise your glass and Skål! While it’s true that the taste of this herbal drink may not be particularly pleasant, but in Thailand they usually say – “if it tastes bitter, it’s a good medicine!”
When we drank this herbal drink, it helped us feel so much better. In about 1 or 2 weeks, the coughing and sore throat subsided, and we felt more energised. Since then, I’ve used this recipe whenever I feel tired or have a dry throat. It’s not a cure-all but a helpful remedy for our family now.
Just remember that this drink is intended to be consumed when you have flu symptoms and not for everyday use. However, when you need it, this traditional Thai herbal drink can be a helpful remedy to help soothe a sore throat, alleviate a cough, and boost energy. So, don’t let the taste discourage you – give it a try and see how it can help you feel better.
I hope this recipe can help you or someone you know when they need it most. Let me know how it goes, and stay safe and healthy!