A pharmacist has shared a straightforward, two-step approach to fend off the common winter cold without relying on Lemsip or similar products. Clinical pharmacist Veerpal Sandhu informed The Telegraph that while health remedies like Lemsip might help ease the symptoms of a cold, other home concoctions might be more beneficial and used with greater frequency.
The particular remedy highlighted involves a concoction of honey and lemon, which is most effective when consumed with either paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Sandhu pointed out that while the well-known hot drink could provide symptom relief, it was not as good as the homemade honey and lemon solution because the latter can be taken more frequently. They noted: “One advantage of making your own is that you can take the drink as often as you wish without any side effects, and [a homemade brew] can be taken by children as often as needed.”
“Lemsip may help to soothe cold and flu symptoms but, personally, I would rather take paracetamol and ibuprofen, along with a warm drink, such as lemon and honey. This is the advice I always give to my patients.”
Despite this recommendation, Sandhu acknowledged that they would not prevent someone from choosing the commercial hot drink because “if you want quick relief from cold symptoms, Lemsip is an easy option”. Veerpal Sandhu joins a list of experts who have endorsed a variety of cold and flu remedies to aid individuals through the yearly onset of winter ailments, reports Surrey Live.
ZOE’s Professor Tim Spector has highlighted a simple two-ingredient concoction that could ease cold and flu symptoms while also boosting gut health, as reported by the Daily Express. In an Instagram video, he detailed: “I’m going to show you the simplest fermented food you can make. Ingredients: garlic and honey. if you can get raw and pasteurised honey that’s the best.”
He added, “Garlic is packed with prebiotic inulin fibre to support your gut health and is thought to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties that can help fight cold and flu.”
Moreover, he noted, “In fact, one randomised controlled test found that taking garlic extract led to three times less colds over a period of three months than taking a placebo. Similarly, honey has been shown to improve cough frequency and severity in human trials.”
For those suffering from sore throats and sniffles, Spector suggests, “For combatting sore throats and sniffles, you can eat the fermented garlic honey as is but it’s also a delicious ingredients to add into salad dressings, drizzle over roasted vegetables and so much more.”