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Adults get an average of two to three colds a year, while children can have even more (Image: Viktoriya Skorikova via Getty Images)
It’s that time of year when runny noses, scratchy throats and persistent coughs make their way through workplaces and households. But one medical expert thinks the solution might already be in your kitchen cupboard – and it costs under £2.
As the season changes, it’s common to encounter runny noses, sore throats, and lingering coughs spreading throughout homes and workplaces. However, a medical expert believes a remedy might be hiding in your pantry, costing less than £2.
During an appearance on The Diary of a CEO podcast with Steve Bartlett, Dr. Simon Mills revealed his preferred home treatment. He explained, “For colds, flu, and viral infections affecting the airways, antibiotics are ineffective,” highlighting that these illnesses are viral and unaffected by antibiotics.
The NHS reports that adults typically suffer from two to three colds annually, while children may experience them even more frequently. Symptoms usually involve a runny or blocked nose, sore throat, cough, and mild fever, with recovery expected within one to two weeks.
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Rather than reaching for medicine, Dr. Mills suggests a straightforward hot drink made with fresh ginger and cinnamon. Demonstrating with a thumb-sized piece of ginger, he advised grating it into a cup, adding about a teaspoon of cinnamon, and topping it with boiling water.
Research published in the journal Nutrients backs this up, detailing how the household spice contains bioactive compounds such as gingerol that possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help the body in fighting off infection.
Cinnamon also has well-documented health advantages. A study in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies reveals that cinnamon displays antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory conditions, though additional human trials are needed to verify clinical effectiveness.
Dr Mills emphasises the warming effect as essential. “The mucus cells producing mucus will loosen up, and you get more runny mucus, which is helping to flush through the grot,” he explained, noting that the body’s natural “escalator” mechanism in the lungs is activated.
“I need this cure,” remarked one viewer, while a second confessed: “I eat ginger root every day and I’m never sick.”
A third observed: “He’s not saying it’ll cure it straight away, but if you’re getting rid of the gunk faster and feeling satisfied, it’ll be easier to put up with.”
While there’s no ‘cure’ for the common cold, the British Lung Foundation advises that warm fluids can help alleviate symptoms and relieve congestion. For many, this traditional spice combination may not substitute rest and fluids – but it could make those sniffly days somewhat more tolerable.
