It’s January and we are safely in the zone of cold and flu season, AKA a period of runny noses, aching limbs and racking coughs. Sounds terrible, right? No worries — once again, food comes to the rescue. Ditch the nasty cherry-flavored cough syrups and over-the-counter medication and take preventative measures with more natural (and delicious) remedies made from ingredients you can find in your kitchen cabinet or pluck from your spice rack. 

Sip on one of these hot drinks to send symptoms running the other way when you feel that slight headache, see your best friend sneeze, or notice your throat becoming sore. Don't have a potential case of sniffles? Give these tonics a try anyway, as many of the ingredients used are all-around beneficial for your body.  

Apple Cider Vinegar with Cinnamon

  • Prep Time:2 mins
  • Cook Time:3 mins
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 8 ounces filtered water
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon organic unfiltered honey
  • 1 tablespoon raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
condiment, juice, beer
Rebecca Fu

  • Step 1

    Bring water to a boil and stir in the cinnamon, honey, and ACV. Let cool slightly and enjoy.

    apple, honey, sweet, tea, cider, juice
    Rebecca Fu

ACV, which stands for Apple Cider Vinegar, is the cure-all that earned its right to become an elusive acronym. It's been praised for a laundry list of health and beauty benefits, including aiding in digestion, whitening teeth, reducing the risk of cancer, and more. In this tonic, ACV works its magic by balancing out your body's pH levels, which is more acidic when you're down with the cold and flu. A dash of cinnamon adds a much-needed dose of antioxidants. 

Golden Turmeric Milk

  • Prep Time:2 mins
  • Cook Time:3 mins
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 cup dairy or non-dairy milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ginger powder or a small piece gingerroot
  • 1 teaspoon raw honey
  • a pinch black pepper
herb
Rebecca Fu

  • Step 1

    Mix all ingredients until incorporated. Heat for 3-5 minutes over medium heat until hot, but not boiling. Pour into glass and enjoy.

    sweet, tea

Turmeric, a bright orange-yellow spice, is found in curries and contains active ingredient curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and disinfecting properties. Turmeric joins the ranks of apple cider vinegar as a highly-praised natural ingredient that's known to provide numerous health benefits. If you want the advantages but need some time to adjust to turmeric's slightly peppery taste, whisk it into this delicious latte-esque concoction to combat cold and flu.

Orange Juice with Cayenne

  • Prep Time:3 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:3 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 8 ounces orange juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • Step 1

    Whisk cayenne pepper into a cold glass of orange juice. Voilà.

    milk, sweet, juice

When in doubt, sweat it out. According to Ayurveda, a traditional Indian medicine, cayenne's ability to promote sweating is praised for treating the cold and flu as well as breaking fevers. The heat and spice of the cayenne will open up your pores and get the toxins out, and orange juice is the perfect sweet, tart complement to the spice. Additionally, Vitamin C is beneficial in building a healthier immune system that will fend off any chance of sickness.

Hot Toddy

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 8 ounces hot water
  • 1 ounce bourbon
  • 1 herbal tea bag
  • 1 lemon wedge
  • 1 tablespoon honey
tea, lemon
Rebecca Fu

  • Step 1

    Steep tea bag in hot water for three minutes. Take out the tea bag, add bourbon, honey, and the juice of the lemon wedge. Mix and enjoy.

    milk, jam, sweet, coffee, honey, tea
    Rebecca Fu

For those of you over 21, this boozy tea will chase away any unwelcome symptom of an upcoming cold or flu. This recipe isn't solely meant for you to drink your problems away — there's actually a scientific reason for the liquor. The bourbon will ease aches, curb infection and act as a decongestant by dilating the blood vessels in your mucus membrane. And as the cherry on top, it'll also ease you into a peaceful sleep. 

We're starting a new year and — for most of us — a new semester of school. If you're planning on having the best semester of college yet (we're coming for ya, stellar GPA), make sure your health is on fleek by putting up a fight against cold and flu symptoms with these natural tonics that pack a punch. Drink up now — you can thank me later.