Citrus Blast
Equal parts citrus juice (we use lemon in this house, a friend uses OJ, the point is straight up citrus juice, the fresher the better) and honey, with 1/4 to 1 teaspoon ground ginger, according to taste. You can also use a few slices of fresh ginger if you prefer. Put the juice, honey, and ginger in a mug and top off with the hottest water you can stand. I've kept two colds from going nuclear this winter and successfully avoided getting Yeled's cold over the past couple days with this drink. Also got Yeled's cold to heal up faster by getting just the slightest amount into him yesterday afternoon.
Garlic Tea
I haven't tried this one yet but it sounds promising. Like the citrus drink, make it as soon as possible after feeling the first symptoms of a cold. You're far less likely to need this one more than one morning but if people in your house are already sick, drink it several days in a row to prevent yourself from getting it.
Smash 3 or 4 small garlic cloves, peel, and put in a mug. Add lemon and honey to taste. Top off with the hottest water you can stand. Drink the water, then chew and eat the garlic. I'm told that by the time you get to the bottom of the mug, the garlic has partially cooked and has the mellower taste of cooked garlic instead of the sharp raw taste. With honey involved, I'm not sure you can go wrong!
Salt Gargle
If you lack the ingredients to put together either of the above drinks (last two colds I had, would you believe I didn't have garlic in the house?????) there is always the tried and true saltwater gargle: Gargle the hottest, saltiest water you can stand several times over the course of the first day you feel symptoms. I've never used this one, mainly because I always gag instead of gargle, but numerous friends swear by it.
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