Ginger-Aid Immune Juice: The Best Drink Recipe to Beat a Cold

Under the weather and over it? Drink this.

I was recently on a trip…ok, I was in Hawaii…when I came down with one of the nastiest colds I’ve had in ages. Not even the striking beauty of Hawaii, the smells of plumeria trees and the sweet taste of pineapple could cure me of my body aches and nonstop coughing. Though it was a gorgeous 80 degrees outside, I was wrapped in long-sleeved layers and shivering under thick blankets. If a free moment arose, I would lay down and rest my hot and watery eyes. Ugh, I never thought I’d describe a trip to Hawaii as brutal.

The one thing that did save me, however, was drinking vitamin-packed juices. (Also, tea with honey and lemon). My appetite seemed to fade into nonexistent territory with this cold — I couldn’t fathom chewing…let alone eating a meal. So how in the world was I supposed to kick this cold when the last thing on my mind was feel-good food? Enter this cold-busting juice. I enlisted the help of my dear friend, Dr. Danielle Schwaderer, ND., a naturopathic doctor in Sonoma, CA, who offers a true holistic and natural approach to medicine. Below is a recipe for Ginger-Aid Immune Juice, a nutritious juice to boost the immune system when in need of some serious support. Also a plus? It’s a quick and simple recipe that even the sickest of patients can make! (Trust me, I was one of them…)

Ingredients (makes approximately 2 15 oz. juices):
Kale, 1 bunch
Parsley or cilantro, ½ bunch
Green apple, cut and seeded
Ginger, 2 inch piece
Garlic, 1 clove peeled
Lemon or lime, peeled
Cucumber, 1 whole with ends removed

Mix all ingredients in a juicer.

Ginger — a wonderfully spicy anti-inflammatory root that has the ability to reduce nausea, aid digestion and gently encourage fever production. Fever is a necessary component of the immune system and can help restore the body to health faster.

Garlic – one of the Earth’s most potent natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents that helps the fight against cold and flus.

Parsley and Cilantro – these powerful culinary herbs provide vitamins and minerals used by our white blood cells in the immune system. Parsley and cilantro encourage lymphatic circulation and gently encourage the detoxification of free radicals created during immune system fight.

Kale – Abundant in folate, minerals and vitamins A, C and K, kale provides many immune-boosting benefits to the human body and provides a great base to any health-conscious juice.

Thank you Dr. Danielle! For all things health and wellness, check out her website, Instagram and Facebook!

+How do you beat the season’s worst colds and flus? Please share in the comments!

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