This honey lemon tea is an easy way to get kids who have sore throats, coughs and cold bugs to enjoy the helpful properties of honey and lemon.
Whilst I am not anti-medication and medical help for illnesses and bugs, I tend to reach for home remedies I know won’t hurt and might help when I can. For most coughs, colds and viral bugs of that ilk, a doctor won’t give you medicine, and antibiotics are most certainly not needed. However, you do want to make your kids feel better and recover from their ailments as fast as possible. Honey & lemon have long been something people use for coughs and colds and in fact, our gp will recommend a teaspoon of honey for a sore throat or a cough over any over the counter medication, most of the time.
So I make my kids a comforting warm drink based on honey and lemon. My kids love it and whilst it does contain some sugar it’s got the benefits of honey and lemon too.
*Please do not give honey to children under the age of 1. There is a small risk that they may be exposed to botulism bacteria. Over 1 year of age honey is safe*
Redbush or Rooibos tea is a tea that children can safely drink. It contains no caffeine and contains ingredients that are beneficial. Having been introduced to it when I first met friends in the South African community, and then getting used to having it in my house, as my South African husband loves it, and then learning that it was safe for children to drink (I make a batch, cooled with a spoonful of sugar in it for a rehydration drink post tummy bugs too)
This is less of a recipe and more of a make it work for your drink. I find one tablespoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon works well and serves two large cups for the unwell.
For two children I boil the kettle and make up a cup of tea for each of them using one tea bag (you can now get Roobois tea in most supermarkets) which I let sit for about 2-3 minutes to steep. I fill the cup 2/3 full to leave a little space. I remove the tea bag and add a splash of apple juice. This helps to cool the tea down but also adds a little flavour. You can use cold water if you prefer. I then add the honey and lemon. I don’t add honey to straight boiling hot water because I have read that that can kill the good microbes and things in honey that are beneficial.
Stir and administer to poorly, snuffly children. The husband also loves a cup of this when he is feeling under the weather too.
When I am feeling unwell I pull out my Cold and Flu killer soup which I also find works to make me feel a bit better. Go easy on the chili if you are making it for kids.