Everyone catches the common cold and there is no known foolproof cure. This herbal remedy doesn't claim to cure colds and flu but rather to prevent them. As soon as you feel a bit under the weather, munch one of these ice-lollies to combat the onslaught of infection. You might still get ill but Echinacea usually lessens the severity and duration of colds and flu.
Herbal Remedy: Echinacea Ice Lollies
To make the tincture:
20g fresh Echinacea root
80ml vodka
For the ice lollies:
2 medium-sized ice-lollies
8cm root ginger
240ml honey
1 sachet animal gelatine
800ml cranberry juice
juice of 2 large lemons
80ml Echinacea tincture (as made above)
1-Wash and chop the Echinacea root, then put into a jar and pour over the vodka to cover completely. Leave for 2-4 weeks.
2-Wash and slice the chillies. Peel and thinly slice the ginger.
3-Combine the chillies, ginger, honey, gelatine and cranberry juice in a saucepan, then stir and simmer for 5 minutes. Take off the heat and leave to cool. Sieve into a bowl.
4-When the drained liquid is cool, stir in the lemon juice and Echinacea tincture. Pour into ice-lolly moulds and freeze.
Take during colds or infection but remember they contain alcohol.
Store the lollies in the freezer for up to 3months.