Tonics to Boost Your Respiratory Health

Now that you know how important it is to improve your respiratory health to fight off viruses—
we’re sharing a few recipes to help.

See below for three easy (and delicious!) at-home concoctions that will help keep your lung function strong.

Have your own happy hour and share your healthy tonic with us!
We’d love to see how you #ORAfromhome.

Sweet + Sour Berries Tonic

THE GOODS:

• 12 oz. still or sparkling water
• ¼ cup organic berries, fresh or frozen
• 1 TBS apple cider vinegar
• 1 TBS fresh lemon juice
• 1 TBS honey or stevia to taste

THE STEPS:

• Blend all the ingredients and enjoy!

THE PERKS:

• Antioxidant-rich, this tonic has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties that help boost the immune system.
• Designed to help fight against sinus infections, the inclusion of honey makes our Sweet and Sour Berries Tonic a soothing antiviral kick.

Ginger Tonic

THE GOODS:

• 16 oz. water
• 1 medium to large bulb of fresh ginger, outer skin removed and cut into chunks
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1-3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1-3 teaspoons raw organic honey

THE STEPS:

• In a saucepan, heat the water until it starts to simmer.
• Add the peppercorns and fresh ginger. Cover the pan and leave to boil for one minute and then lower the heat. Continue to simmer for 5-7 minutes until the liquid becomes pale yellow.
• Strain the mixture then add the honey and lemon.
• Drink this 2-3 times a day to get speedy relief.

THE PERKS:

• Ginger is a well-known antihistamine and decongestant with potent antibacterial, antiviral and expectorant properties. It dries out the excess mucus, promotes the elimination of buildup and calms congestion in the chest and throat.
• Lemon juice has Vitamin C, is an immune-booster and is known to reduce excess mucus in the respiratory tract.
• Honey has anti-phlegm properties and boosts the body’s immune system so that it can ward off viral and bacterial infections that cause mucus overproduction.

Salt and Turmeric Gargle

Unlike a tonic, gargles are not meant for consumption! But they help to aid in decreasing congestion and mucus from the chest. Plus, we like how easy this one is to make from home.

THE GOODS:

• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 glass of warm water

THE STEPS:

• Fill a glass with warm water. Add the turmeric powder (or juice) and salt and mix well.
• Gargle with this solution 3-4 times a day to reduce mucus and clear phlegm from the chest.
• Repetition is key to this process.

THE PERKS:

• Water soothes the throat while the antibacterial properties of salt kill bacteria and fight infections.
• Salt draws water out of the mucous membranes and helps to clear the phlegm.
• Turmeric is anti-inflammatory.