Winter Remedies For The Urban Adventurer

At Benny's Boardroom, we know outdoor play doesn't stop with winter for the urban adventurer. We have the gear to keep you warm and protected from winter chills - rain, hail or shine, but with the onset of the colder months comes a susceptibility to colds.

That's why we've collated some of our favourite natural remedies to heat you up from the inside out so you can enjoy winter for all its rugged and windswept beauty.

Turmeric Latte

Here's a delicious alternative to your morning coffee when you're run-down or feel a cold coming on. It's an anti-inflammatory drink that boosts your immune system. There are a number of cafes across Sydney serving turmeric lattes, as well as turmeric latte blends that can be purchased from health food shops and mixed with warm milk.

To make a turmeric latte from scratch at home:

Gently warm (not boil) coconut or almond milk on the stove in a saucepan.

Add: 

• Turmeric (fresh 3cm piece, peeled or ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder)
• Ginger (fresh 2cm piece, peeled or ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger)
• Coconut oil (tablespoon)
• Cinnamon (1 stick of ½ teaspoon)
• Salt (1 pinch)
• Vanilla (1 teaspoon of essence, extract or 1 stick)
• Almond, hazelnut or cashew butter (one heaped tablespoon - optional) 

Gently stir and heat until melted and combined. Pour into a mug and sprinkle cinnamon powder on top.

Spice It Up

Hot, spicy meals are saviours in winter, doubling as comfort food and a means of loosening up mucus to have you breathing easier. 

We'd suggest a chilli, vegetarian dhal (easy to digest), a spicy pumpkin soup with a dollop of kefir yoghurt (great probiotic) or a chilli infused, hot chocolate made with almond milk, coconut sugar and cacao.

Hot Ginger Tea

This classic is a favourite go-to in winter months, with or without the onset of a cold.

In a saucepan, add a 3cm piece of ginger, peeled to 1 cup of boiling water. Gently bring it to the boil, remove from the heat and then allow it to steep for 15 minutes.

Once it has cooled, remove the ginger and gently heat the water to your desired, safe drinking temperature.

Pour into a mug and add a squeeze of lemon and teaspoon of honey (optional).

Hot Lemon Water

In a thermos or one of our S’well Bottles (which keeps drinks hot for 12 hours), combine hot water, the juice of one lemon, a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar (optional).

Onion Honey Syrup

This simple syrup will soothe and help fight the cold that comes with a sore throat and/or a nasty cough. Manuka honey works to soothe a painful sore throat, while an onion's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties loosen phlegm and combat the cold.

Evenly slice a red (milder taste) or brown onion and place in a jar/container. Layer honey over the onion, close the jar/container so it's airtight and leave to soak/infuse for 8-12 hours.

Use a tablespoon as you would cough syrup to control your cough.

Throat Gargle

For a sore throat, simply mix:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of apple cider vinegar

Combine in a glass jar with a pinch of salt.

Keep in the refrigerator for up to one week, heating and gargling a mouthful every morning and before bed each night.

Take a Bath

There’s nothing like a soak in a hot bath to relax and soothe a sore, sick body. Epsom salts help to relax and loosen up muscles, while the addition of these cold-curing essential oils eases cold symptoms and congestion through aromatherapy.

Fill a bath and add: 

• ½ - 1 cup of Epsom salt
• 2 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• 2 drops of lavender essential oil

Natural Vapour Rub

For congestion, this simple rub works a treat. 

Simply heat and melt 1 cup of coconut oil in a metal dish/bowl over a saucepan of hot water. Remove from the heat and add 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil to the mix and stir to combine.

As the oil cools, place it in a heat safe, airtight container (glass jar works well) and allow the oil mixture to turn solid in a cool, dark place. Once solid, you can rub a fingertip of oil on a congested chest or beneath your nostrils.

Note: These natural remedies are here to help alleviate mild colds and flu symptoms. They’re not substitutes for professional medical treatment.