The “Whole Body” section at Whole Foods sees a significant spike in sales about 1-2 weeks into January. Can you guess why?

This is about the time a person realizes his or her symptoms are no longer the effects of a well celebrated New Year and are, in fact, the start of a cold or flu. Since all I was hitting on New Year’s Eve was tea (admittedly lame), I was faster to recognize the softball in my throat as an ailment and not the consequence of celebration.

“Hippy” inclinations aside, I’ve long thought cough medicine was a form of syrupy, grape TORTURE. Why add suffering on top of suffering? Instead, I turn to nature for remedies I actually want to drink.

Landing somewhere between a soothing vegetable broth and Tang (in a good way!), this herbal tea’s ingredients unfold as you sip- a hit of ginger here, a faint kick of garlic there, a tart pucker of lemon and the sweetness of raw honey.

Whether not there’s a softball in your throat, this tea is a healthy way to start the morning or sip while cozily escaping the winter just beyond your window.

Sip and be well!

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Herbal Cough Suppressant with Lemon & Turmeric

Imagine a cross between broth and the Tang from your childhood, in a good way, and you have this homemade elixir. Smooth and flavorful enough to drink even when your throat is in tip-top shape. Be careful not to boil the tea. It will give you a cleaner flavor and be more nutrient-rich.

Yield: 8 cups

Author: Bon Appétit

Ingredients

• 1 bunch oregano
• 1 bunch thyme
• 1 1- inch piece ginger peeled, grated (or more if you like ginger)
• 2 1- inch pieces turmeric peeled, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 small garlic clove grated
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 3 tablespoons fresh Meyer lemon juice regular lemon or lime also work

Directions

• Lightly whack oregano and thyme with a wooden spoon to bruise and release oils.
• Heat herbs, ginger, turmeric, peppercorns, and 8 cups water in a medium saucepan until an instant-read thermometer registers around 130°—it should be uncomfortably hot to the touch but not boiling.
• Reduce temperature to low and let the mixture steep for 6 minutes.
• Add garlic, honey, almond milk, and citrus juice, stirring to dissolve honey.
• Strain into a pitcher or large heatproof container, pushing on the herbs to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
• Divide among mugs, sip, and enjoy!