Feed a hot cold...

September 6, 2007 8:37 AM

[RecipeFilter] Looking for some warm-weather cold remedies:

The girlfriend's feeling under the weather. I was going to make chicken soup, but it's supposed to hit 90 degrees over the weekend so hot dishes/drinks are probably out. What are some good home remedies for a cold during hot weather?

posted by backseatpilot to food & drink (7 comments total)

Zinc lozenges are a miracle drug. Take one at the first hint of cold symptoms and then about three a day and the cold will never get a strong grip on you and is all gone in about three days.
posted by wsg at 9:04 AM on September 6, 2007

I myself am on day 3 of my Zicam (zinc lozenge) remedy, and overnight my cold exploded into something that nearly caused me to stay home from work this morning.

So I too will be eagerly anticipating some alternate answers. :)

(I've successfully averted colds with zinc before, but not this time.)
posted by iguanapolitico at 9:41 AM on September 6, 2007

I guess I should clarify that I'm looking for some recipes I could cook. I will definitely bring 'round some lozenges, but some good home-cooked food will certainly make her day.
posted by backseatpilot at 9:58 AM on September 6, 2007

Eat well, lots of veggies ( I always make a hearty veggie soup when I start to get a cold, regardless of season), lots of rest, lots of liquids - pretty much the same treatment whenever. If you want a good summer soup, try making gazpacho. Spicy peppers are supposed to be good antioxidents too, so that may help, if you appreciate the heat.

Perhaps not exactly recommended, but my Nana swore by three hot toddies a night until you get better as a cold remedy. In hot weather, just make yourself a Manhattan. It's pretty much the same thing as Nyquil, only it tastes better.
posted by elendil71 at 10:23 AM on September 6, 2007

My favorite is a V-8 juice concoction: a glass of Spicy Hot V-8 juice (make sure it's cold), about a teaspoon of lemon juice, a shake or two of Worcestire (I can't spell) sauce, a few shakes of tabasco sauce and a half tablespoon of real horseradish (not the "prepared" stuff with extra ingredients in it - Boars Head has a good horseradish). Gently mix all together. Sprinkle a little fresh ground pepper on top and viola!
posted by Sassyfras at 11:45 AM on September 6, 2007

Sassyfras, what you have described is essentially a Virgin Mary.. or a Bloody Mary without the vodka.

That could work (you know, with the vodka) just as well as my gramma's recipe ;-)
posted by elendil71 at 12:29 PM on September 6, 2007

What do I know - I don't drink . . . (but the secret ingredient is the horseradish).
posted by Sassyfras at 1:50 PM on September 6, 2007