The brew

This is the best home remedy for a cold I've ever had:

Grate a 1-inch piece of peeled, fresh ginger into 2 cups of water.
Bring to a boil and let simmer 5 minutes.
Add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more or less to taste).
Simmer a few minutes more.
Add 2 Tablespoons each of honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Add 1 or 2 cloves of crushed fresh garlic.
Allow to cool slightly and strain if desired.
Get under some covers and drink as much as you can.

This is a recipe from Natural Health, Natural Medicine, by Dr. Andrew Weil. He says it helps congestion, chills and malaise, and it does.