Doctor Recommends Budget Spice Drink to Combat Common Cold Symptoms
As sniffles, sore throats, and coughs become widespread during the colder months, a doctor has shared a simple and affordable home remedy that could provide relief. Dr Simon Mills suggests a hot drink made with fresh ginger and cinnamon, which costs less than £2 from most supermarkets, to help ease the discomfort of colds and flu.
The Viral Nature of Colds and Ineffectiveness of Antibiotics
During an appearance on The Diary of a CEO podcast with Steve Bartlett, Dr Mills emphasised that colds are viral infections, meaning antibiotics are useless against them. He stated, "If you've got a cold, flu, virus, particularly the airways, antibiotics will have no use at all." According to NHS statistics, adults typically experience two to three colds annually, while children may have even more. Symptoms like a runny or blocked nose, sore throat, cough, and mild fever usually resolve within one to two weeks without medical intervention.
Simple Preparation of the Ginger and Cinnamon Drink
Instead of relying on medication, Dr Mills advocates for a natural approach. He recommends grating a thumb-sized knob of fresh ginger, approximately 89p worth, into a mug, adding about a teaspoon of cinnamon costing around 75p, and pouring hot water over the mixture. This creates a warming beverage that stimulates the body's natural defences.
Scientific Backing for the Spice Combination
Dr Mills explained the physiological effects: "What's happening there is that when you take a hot thing like ginger, it's stimulating the pain fibres." This triggers a reflex response called hyperaemia, which opens blood vessels, loosens mucus, and helps clear the airways. A review in the journal Nutrients supports this, noting that ginger contains bioactive compounds like gingerol with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that aid the body's response to infection.
Cinnamon also offers documented health benefits. A study in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies reports that cinnamon exhibits antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory settings, though more human trials are needed to confirm clinical impacts. Dr Mills highlighted the warming effect as crucial, saying it loosens mucus cells, producing runnier mucus that flushes out congestion and stimulates the lungs' natural "escalator" mechanism.
Public Reaction and Expert Advice
Listeners and viewers have responded positively, with comments like "I need this cure" and "I eat ginger root everyday and I'm never sick." One person noted, "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 is no outright cure for the common cold, the British Lung Foundation affirms that warm fluids can soothe symptoms and ease congestion. This spice combination may not replace rest and fluids, but it could make sniffly days more manageable for many people.
