People struggling with winter colds across the UK are being urged to try a natural Indian remedy that has been used for generations. A TikTok user known as @Bettylikestoeat has shared a simple blend of orange juice, turmeric, honey, black pepper and ginger, which she described as “so tasty”.
The user, who responded to a previous video without giving exact measurements, compared the drink to wellness shots sold by Pret a Manger for £4. She said: “That is delicious. It tastes like one of those ginger shots you can buy from Pret-a-Manger for £4.” All the ingredients can be bought from Tesco for under £3.50, and some items may already be in kitchens.
Separately, most of the ingredients have a proven track record of relieving cold symptoms. Orange juice is thought to help due to its high vitamin C content and other nutrients that support immune function and hydration. The NHS also suggests honey mixed with hot or warm water for its soothing properties for the throat and for reducing cough frequency and severity. However, it is not suitable for infants under one year old.
Turmeric, which is rich in the anti-inflammatory compound curcumin, is often found in herbal tea blends. It is reported to help soothe sore throats, ease congestion and boost immunity, especially when paired with black pepper for added absorption.
The same TikTok user previously shared a similar remedy from her own childhood in a Cantonese household, where a unique Coca-Cola blend was a popular at-home cold remedy. Heating the fizzy drink and mixing in lemon and ginger was something she and her family “swore by” before getting ill. While not strictly medicinal, this folk remedy, especially popular in Hong Kong, is believed to soothe sore throats and ease cold symptoms through steam, warmth and ginger.
