Colds are a kapha-vata disorder. Ayurveda, see “All about Vata, Pitta and that You develop a cold when your body has an excess of kapha’s cool, moist characteristics, causing a stuffy or runny nose and lots of sneezing. And, he says, excess vata energy reduces agni, or gastric fire, so you get the chills. But, according to, ginger can reduce excess kapha and restore agni, making it the best medicine for colds and flus.

Here is our recipe for ginger tea: Add just under ½ teaspoon each of ginger powder, fennel seeds and cinnamon and a pinch of clove powder to one cup of hot water. Let the herbs steep for about ten minutes, and then strain them out of the tea before drinking. Drink as much of the tea as you wish.

Because aspirin and ginger are both blood thinners we recommends drinking ginger tea at least two hours before or after you take a dose of aspirin.