It happens to all of us: we wake up one morning with some, or all, of the symptoms of a cold. Some of us immediately head to the pharmacy to pick up some over the counter medication--but these aren't cures, they merely mute the symptoms.

In fact, to really cure yourself of a cold, you need the old-fashioned remedies of rest & plenty of fluids.

I'm not one to take medicine, but rather take the homeopathic/natural route. In addition to rest, I brew up a potent tea when a cold starts to get me down.

This is what you need:

• Lemon
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Honey
• Water

Crush a few cloves of garlic and grate some ginger. Boil the garlic and ginger with the amount of water you want for your tea in a small saucepan.

After it has boiled for a few minutes, pour into a mug. Stir a spoonful of honey into the tea. Squeeze a wedge of lemon into it (I like to leave the squeezed wedge in the tea as I drink it).

Sip slowly, inhaling the steam from the tea as you drink it.

You might smell strongly for the rest of the day, but drink as needed--you will feel better.

• Garlic is a natural antibiotic (please make sure you aren't taking any medications that garlic will interfere with). To gain the most benefits garlic has to offer, crush it and consume in the most raw state possible.
• Ginger isn't only helpful with respiratory infections, it also helps relieve nausea, menstrual cramps, and cramps caused by indigestion (gas).
• Lemons boost your immune system and help rid your body of toxins.
• Honey contains antioxidants (darker honey tends to have more) and soothes a sore throat.