I have a cold, and I suppose it’s good to have a cold every once in a while if you’re a martyr or to clean out the system, but I am feeling no benefits of any kind, so I’m arming myself for battle. Buy fresh ginger, scrub it, put the whole thing, cut into large chunks, into a pot and simmer it for at least an hour. Drink straight or with honey as many times as you think about it during the day. With every meal or instead of eating if you have no appetite, have chicken stock. Bring raw bones to the boil. Throw out the water, rinse the bones and the pot, and start again. Same bones, new water, a piece of carrot, a piece of celery, an onion, a garlic clove, some fresh parsley, a sprig of thyme, a bay leaf, and a little tomato skin if you have one. Simmer, skimming the pot whenever you get the chance, for at least an hour, and up to three of four. Eat as many fresh oranges as you can. Sleep. Find someone to give you a massage. Drink some more ginger tea.