Spring is on it’s way but it’s never too late to think about giving your immune system a boost, there are bugs out there all year round.

Try a few store cupboard ingredients for starters.

Lemons

Battle viruses with lemonade – the homemade sort of course, not the fizzy one full of sugar!

Lemons contain vitamin C which is great for your immune system.

Drinking HOT lemonade is a great way of warming up as well on a cold day!

Try this recipe (from herbalist Tipper Lewis, courtesy of prima .co.uk):

HOT LEMONADE

Grate 3 cm of ginger (anti-inflammatory) in a small pan. Add 400ml of water and bring to the boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for 15 min.

Strain, add zest and juice of 1 lemon (anti-bacterial). Stir in 1 tbsp honey (natural antibiotic) and add the mint (anti-bacterial).

Sip the tea slowly and you can even eat the mint leaves!

Ginger

In Chinese medicine, ginger is eaten to boost immunity. Add it to everything from stir-fries to soups. Try crystallized ginger for a sweet option.