Hot toddy for cold free#

Honey: As mentioned earlier, honey’s antimicrobial properties may help ease cold symptoms, especially a cough, in both adults and children ages 2 and older.Lactobacillus casei : According to research, consuming 200 g (grams) per day of dairy products containing the probiotic Lactobacillus casei may shorten the duration of a cold, especially among older adults.For maximum effectiveness, start taking zinc within 3 days of the start of your cold. Zinc: Taking 80 to 92 mg (milligrams) of zinc per day may help reduce the duration and severity of the common cold.However, according to research, some remedies may be helpful in reducing cold symptoms until your body can clear the virus. Ginseng, echinacea, vitamin C, and vitamin D supplementation have not been shown to be effective as remedies for colds.Īntibiotics are also ineffective for colds because they treat bacterial infections, not viruses like those that cause colds. This can help flush toxins from your body, thin out mucus in your respiratory system, and make you feel better.ĭue to alcohol’s immunosuppressive and dehydrating effects, it’s not recommended as a remedy for the common cold.Īlcohol isn’t the only rumored cold remedy that’s ineffective. When you’ve got a cold, it’s important to drink fluids that hydrate you. So, drinking alcohol, even in moderate amounts, can weaken your immune system and make it harder for your body to fight off infections, like the common cold.Īlcohol can also dehydrate you by removing fluids from your body through your kidneys. The reason for this is due to alcohol’s immunosuppressive effect. Not only is alcohol ineffective at fighting off the common cold, it could worsen your symptoms.

Instead, it’s just a base for mixing other key ingredients. This means alcohol, like whiskey, isn’t acting as a cough suppressant in cough medicines. Alcohol may also act as a preservative for cough medicines, which helps extend these products’ shelf life. Some of the compounds found in cough medicine don’t dissolve easily in water but do dissolve in ethanol (alcohol).Īs a result, cough syrup manufacturers may incorporate a small amount of alcohol so the medications mix. In addition, there are several natural decongestants that may help ease your congestion, such as:Īlcohol is added to cough medicines, but it’s probably not for the reason you think. Medicines with pseudoephedrine will tighten blood vessels ( vasoconstrict), which is why they can help relieve congestion. Small amounts of alcohol can cause vasodilation - a widening of blood vessels - which can worsen a runny nose or congestion. Myth: Alcohol’s decongestant properties can help treat cold symptomsĪlcohol is rumored to work as a decongestant, but actually, the reverse is true. This means alcohol doesn’t help kill cold viruses or other germs inside your body. In other words, it works on the surface of your skin, but not as a disinfectant when you drink it. However, alcohol is only effective as a topical disinfectant. It’s true that alcohol is a key component of hand sanitizers, which help kill germs that you may pick up when you touch contaminated surfaces. One of the theories as to why whiskey may help treat a cold is because alcohol is a disinfectant. Myth: Alcohol is a disinfectant, so it can help you get over a cold Let’s look at some of the most common and whether there’s any scientific evidence to back up these claims. Bourbon is a type of whiskey that must be aged in new oak-charred barrels. Though not traditional, you can sub any brown liquor, such as aged rum, brandy or scotch.There are lots of thoughts on why whiskey is helpful for a cold. The warm, caramel notes of whiskey, including bourbon, pair nicely with the honey and lemon for a soothing, not-too-heavy cocktail.

The strongest flavor that will come through in a hot toddy is the alcohol. And, as with many recipes, maple syrup can be used in place of honey. One star anise, a few whole cloves, or a slice of fresh ginger would be wonderful in a hot toddy.

Hot toddy for cold free#

To give the elixir a spicier edge, feel free to play around with ingredients. A cinnamon stick adds a touch of warmth but is optional. To make a classic hot toddy, you'll need hot water, whisky (or bourbon), honey, and lemon. This toddy, on the other hand, comes together in mere minutes. Sure, you could opt for mulled cider or winter sangria, but both drinks require some foresight, requiring either an hour to simmer or even more time to hang in the fridge overnight. As far as easy cocktails go, there's nothing quite as cozy and comforting as a hot toddy on a cold winter night.