Cold or flu : think about making a mulled wine

It is not by chance that in winter we drink mulled wine… To fight the flu or a cold, there is not only grog ! Find out why with Beaux-Vins.

I don't know you, but with the weather it's been outside the last few days, as soon as I step outside, direct is pharyngitis, snot in the nose, the microbes that stir. — Yes, This is the humorous french song "fous ta cagoule" by Fatal Bazooka —. In short terms, I don't really like fall and you will understand.

Can alcohol help me heal myself ?

First of all, I would like to remind you that the medical profession is not unanimous on the supposedly beneficial effects of alcohol on the fight against winter diseases. In case of illness, especially when it is prolonged, seeing a doctor or pharmacist is the best thing to do. They are in the best position to prescribe what you need to get back on your feet.

Now that the introductions are done, what are the doctors advocating responsible alcohol consumption saying for self-care ? According to Dr Henry Puget : "Being calorigenic, that is to say provider of calories, alcohol causes an energetic reaction that helps fight infection, decreases inflammation and neutralizes toxins. »But do not abuse it…

Mulled wine, real grandmother's remedy

Why make mulled wine ? The advantage of consuming it hot lies in the increase in body temperature which allows the body to fight off viruses - fever is a solution against germs, not a consequence —. Rich in alcohol, and therefore calorigenic, it contains natural antibiotics, minerals and phenols that will help fight infection. It's not for nothing that mulled wine is an institution in the mountains.

What are the "miracle" ingredients that can be combined with wine ?

Cinnamon is a powerful antibacterial
Cloves are powerful pain relievers and anti-inflammatories
Thyme plays an anti-infectious role
Lemon contains vitamins C and citric acid known to be anti-inflammatory and anti-infective
Onions contain mineral salts and trace elements that stimulate the immune system
Honey heals everything !

White wine anti-flu

Put in a bottle of sweet white wine 1 sprig of thyme, 250 g chopped onions and 4 tablespoons of honey. Let the mixture macerate for a week before straining.

The traditional mulled red wine

I advise you to choose a wine that is not too tannic, young and fruity : what better than a Gamay du Beaujolais to meet all these conditions ?

Mix in a large saucepan, a red wine bottle - Beaujolais I tell you ! —, 3 tablespoons of honey, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 4 cloves, orange or lemon peels.

The difficulty with mulled wine lies in the cooking : it must be made to shiver and not boil at the risk of breaking certain important molecules. Remember to taste your mixture to adapt the recipe to your taste.

And for my child ?

You don't want to give your child wine and you are right ! But a solution is possible for children and those who do not like wine or who do not drink alcohol : replace wine with grape juice.

Be careful not to add too much honey, grape juice is already sweeter than wine and the mixture could be sickening.

Jean-Nicolas Mouretin