GoodFor
5 Pantry Ingredients to Keep Colds & Flu At Bay
It’s that time of year again! While the cooler months of the year welcome the opportunity to hibernate and enjoy the cosy indoors, it’s also the time when cold and flu germs present themselves. Feel the sniffles coming on? Before running to the pharmacy for quick-fix meds, consider stocking the pantry with naturally immune-boosting ingredients to get you through the season virus-free.
Our pick of immune-boosting pantry ingredients can be stocked up on and used on their own or mixed into home remedies to keep the whole family fighting fit all winter long!
Honey
Honey is bursting with antioxidants and also has powerful antimicrobial and antibacterial properties for fighting infections from viruses, bacteria and fungi. It is believed to contribute to health because of an enzyme it contains that fights against pathogens and infections in the body, inhibiting the growth of bacteria as it enters. Adding a teaspoon of honey to some of your favourite dishes can help to ward off burdensome colds, sore throats and allergies.
The honey we sell at GoodFor is the cream of the crop! Sourced from the Kaipara Coast, it has been extracted using an eco-friendly scraping method which helps store the pollen up to ten times more efficiently than regular honey. It is also not micro-filtered which leaves the good stuff like pollen, phytonutrients, propolis resins and other vitamins & minerals for your health.
Shop Manuka Honey Jar online or pop instore to refill your own jar straight from the tap!
Tea
Scratchy throat? A warm tea will help soothe it! Ginger Lemon Kiss is a tasty option for the winter months to keep your immunity in check. To enhance the flavour and health benefits of this blend, add a squeeze of fresh lemon or a hunk of fresh ginger. Chamomile Tea may also boost the immune system and help fight infections associated with colds, attributable to its content of hippurate and glucine and their antibacterial qualities. If you like a good hit of orange and your immune system is feeling a little flat, Rooibos Orange Tea is for you. We love sipping away on a cuppa throughout day and night during winter!
Not a fan of herbal tea? Try a Gingerbread Latte instead! This is a carefully crafted blend of ginger, cinnamon, mixed spices and vanilla bean… The ideal antidote to colds and flu.
Shop our full range of Loose Leaf Tea blends online.
Garlic
Not only an essential in most savoury dishes for its distinct sharp taste, garlic will also help your immune system fight off pesky colds. In its raw form, garlic has antibiotic properties from the phytonutrient allicin, however if you can’t stomach eating cloves of raw garlic, try adding garlic to homemade dressings and sauces instead.
An alternative way to include garlic in your diet is with Garlic Powder or Garlic Salt, both with plenty of different uses in the kitchen.
Oatmeal
During cold winter months, it’s inviting to start the day with a steamy bowl of oatmeal, another immune-boosting rockstar! Oats contain beta glucan, selenium and zinc, which help support immune function and fend off cold and flu symptoms. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt to your oatmeal for an extra immune boost.
Shop our range of different oats online and find many oat-based recipes to include them in your diet this winter.
Sage
Sage is an ancient herb with powerful antiviral properties that can be used to treat a sore throat, stuffy nose or persistent cough. Brew in a tea or add to a broth to help strengthen your immune system. Sage can also be included in an onion stuffing, or flavour up your omelettes and frittatas with its lovely herbaceous taste.
Shop Rubbed Sage online, and stock your pantry up for winter.
