A garlic, chive and cayenne pepper infusion can beat tiredness as cayenne pepper also helps fight off infection and inflammation, the authors claim

TIRED? DRINK A GARLIC, CAYENNE PEPPER, PARSLEY & CHIVE INFUSION

This curious remedy is a tea with soup ingredients.

One ingredient in this recipe, which can’t be found growing naturally in our native Austria, is cayenne pepper. Still, it has sneaked its way into this book.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED

250 ml (8. fl oz/1 cup) water

2 garlic cloves, peeled

3 sprigs of fresh parsley

3 fresh chives

1 pinch of cayenne pepper

GET STARTED

Place a small pan on the stove with the water. Bring the water to the boil, remove from the heat and add the garlic. Allow to infuse for 10 minutes.

Finely chop the parsley and chives and add to the infusion. Then finish off with the cayenne pepper.

Strain into a cup or small bowl and drink as hot as you can, without burning your tongue.

WHY WE BELIEVE IT WORKS

The antibacterial and disinfectant properties of garlic combined with the stimulating and antispasmodic properties of parsley work wonders.

Chives are high in vitamin C, are blood-cleansing and loosen phlegm.

Cayenne pepper stimulates circulation and is cleansing and detoxifying.

It also helps to fight off infection and inflammation. 

As part of their new book, Vinegar Socks, authors Karin Berndl and Nici Hofer offer homemade Austrian treatments as alternative therapies to modern medicine