As winter approaches, flu season sets in too — here is a recipe to fight it off:
- One tablespoon of honey, preferably eucalyptus honey, or pure honey if unavailable.
- One teaspoon of black seed oil.
- Half a teaspoon of ground ginger.
- Half a teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Half a teaspoon of propolis, or ground garlic (1 clove) if unavailable, a natural antibiotic.
- 1 lemon for vitamin C.
Take a tablespoon of this mixture in the morning on an empty stomach and one at bedtime; and give children two to three cups of thyme herbal tea, as it is a natural antibiotic.
Remember to drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in vitamin C.
What the science says: boosting immunity, in children
What the published research says about the remedies mentioned above, for context — the studies address material causes, but healing belongs to Allah.
Boosting immunity
Echinacea reduces the risk and duration of the common cold according to meta-analyses (Lancet Infect Dis, 2007) (Clin Ther, 2006); vitamin D in people with a deficiency (BMJ, 2017), zinc taken at the first symptoms, and cough-relief herbs (Forsch Komplementmed, 2015) round out the natural arsenal — alongside honey, black seed, and hive products so dear to the professor. Precaution: echinacea is not recommended in cases of autoimmune disease or immunosuppressive treatment; a persistent high fever or breathing difficulty calls for a medical consultation.
In children
In infants, the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri reduces colic-related crying according to a meta-analysis (Pediatrics, 2018) (Acta Paediatr, 2024); in children, honey soothes nighttime coughing (after age one) (Cochrane, 2018), fiber and hydration treat constipation (J Pediatr, 2022), and omega-3s are being studied for hyperactivity (Neuropsychopharmacology, 2018). Precaution: never give honey before age one, no essential oils before age 3 (age 6 for peppermint), doses adjusted to weight; any fever in an infant under 3 months old is an emergency.
