“Don’t Get Sick” Tea

Inspired by their love of food and passion for health and wellness, our Test Kitchen team launched a Wellness Camp at our headquarters this January, dedicated to teaching Williams-Sonoma employees about little things we could all do to improve our diets and overall sense of well-being. All month, we’ll be sharing some of their favorite tips, from healthy recipe hacks to cooking techniques to small substitutions that make a big difference. Follow along with us on the blog and on Instagram @williamssonoma #wswellness.

 

Feel like you might be coming down with a cold or flu? Our creative Test Kitchen cook Sandra Wu swears by the healing powers of her own signature immune booster.

 

“Whenever I’m starting to feel a little suspect, I try to take matters into my own hands by making a mug of ginger-lemon-honey tea,” she says.

 

“It’s super simple, and has prevented me from getting sick when seemingly everyone else around me is sneezing, coughing, and generally feeling miserable.”

 

Sandra’s recipe requires only 3 ingredients (4, if you count hot water) that she typically has around in the kitchen.

 

“Honey is a potent antioxidant and antibacterial agent, ginger contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds and aids digestion, and lemon juice is a great source of Vitamin C.

 

Is it a cure-all? I wouldn’t go that far. But it tastes great—think hot lemonade—and makes me feel good!”

 

Ginger-Lemon-Honey Tea

 

Manuka honey comes from New Zealand and is produced by bees that pollinate the manuka bush. Its main antibacterial component is methylglyoxal (MG), the concentration of which is measured on a scale called UMF, or Unique Manuka Factor. Look for manuka honey with a minimum rating of 10 UMF in order to maximize its potential therapeutic benefits. If you can’t find manuka honey, go ahead and use an organic wildflower honey.

 

1-inch piece ginger, peeled and sliced thinly

1 cup boiling water

Juice of 1/2 fresh lemon

2 tsp. organic honey, preferably manuka

 

Place the ginger in a tea strainer set in a mug. Pour boiling water on top; let steep 5 minutes. Remove ginger and stir in lemon and honey.

 

Serves 1.