Winter’s in full swing, but your immune system not? Keep colds and flu at bay with permaculture this May. Here’s something you can concoct straight from your garden.

Prepping for Winter with Companion Plants

If you planted turmeric in September/October last year, chances are they’ve just peaked and are ready for harvest. Luckily for you, this herb has a wide range of immune-supporting benefits. Just in time for winter. You’ll be even luckier if you sowed alongside these babies some companion plants to the taste of lemon, ginger and cardamom. And where there’s cardamom, cinnamon isn’t too far (not in a permaculture garden though – they just taste great together).

A Winter-Warming Permaculture Tea

What’s more is that these permaculture ingredients go swell when paired together as a hot cup of tea. Simply place the below ingredients into a mug and allow to steep in boiling water for 5 minutes.

Ingredients (Makes 2 Cups)

• Juice of 1 lemon
• A thumb of fresh turmeric, grated
• A thumb of fresh ginger, grated
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 6 peppercorns (optional)
• 2 Tbs honey (optional)

Permaculture for Immunity

Give your immune system some tender loving care with there permaculture plants. Here’s how:

Turmeric and Ginger:
These powerful spices assist the body in eliminating toxins, stimulating circulation and digestion, reducing inflammation, and boosting immune function. Turmeric and ginger are known for treating flu symptoms like sore throats, coughing, sneezing, over-production of mucous, loss of appetite and so on.

Lemon:
Has a strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting properties and aids in digestion and cleansing the liver. Lemons are great for treating sore, scratchy throats, coughs, headaches and fatigue associated with colds and flu.

Planning a visit to the Drakensberg? Take to our wintery outdoors with a winter-ready flask of this wholesome, permaculture-inspired tea.