Herbalist recommendations for protection against the cold

Noting that people are particularly affected by harsh weather changes during the transition to the winter season, herbalist Murat Sönmez said that citizens generally consume products such as linden, winter tea, cinnamon, and ginger during these periods.

Sönmez said, "With the increase in illnesses during the winter season, interest in herbalists has increased across the country. Since the demand for alternative medicine has recently risen, we mostly recommend products here such as marshmallow tea, hibiscus, linden, and similar items.

In winter, it both softens the throat and reduces the rate of infection in the throat. There is a common misconception among people. It is generally thought that winter tea is consumed after catching the flu, but it is the exact opposite. Winter tea is a beverage that should be consumed to strengthen the body's immunity and resistance," he said.

"INTEREST IN MARSHMALLOW TEA HAS INCREASED"

Discussing the benefits of winter teas, Sönmez said, "The essential ingredient of winter tea is linden. It has a softening effect on the throat. Interest in marshmallow tea has also increased these days. Because it is very good for dry coughs and throat irritation. Apart from that, since it has an effect that reduces infection, dried ginger, cinnamon, which has antioxidant properties, and cloves are very effective. Among the plants we recommend, we also include hibiscus to add flavor and further increase the body's resistance.

These plants I have listed are generally staple products, meaning they are essential items in any herbalist shop. In addition to winter tea, we can protect our immunity by adding liquid propolis to any drink or food you consume.

I believe liquid propolis does not receive the value it deserves in Turkey. Liquid propolis is very important for the body's immunity and resistance. We especially recommend propolis to strengthen the immunity of young children. We support people gradually turning towards herbal products, that is, alternative medicine, rather than chemical drugs," he stated.

Advising that winter tea should definitely not be boiled, Sönmez explained the recipe for winter tea as follows:

"First, we add our linden to our winter tea. After the linden, we add 1 piece of dried ginger due to its antibiotic properties. We add what we call hibiscus, or rose of Sharon, to increase immunity. Then we have 2 essential products that have antioxidant properties.

One of these is cinnamon, and the other is cloves. We add these as well. It is very good for sore throats and dry coughs. We have natural rosehip, which is very famous in our region. Rosehip both gives aroma and color, and has the property of increasing the body's immunity.

After adding these, we also add one dried lemon. In this way, our winter tea is ready to drink. We definitely do not boil the winter tea. We make it using the steeping method in hot water."