Conversation:

Got exactly the same recipe from gran'ma Leone (our familly witch), with even a larger diversity of spirits you may mix in. And this recipe somehow has to come with the following practice :

"when you're done with your 'grog' (that's what we call your toddy in French), wrap an old wool sock around your neck (preferably one you wore during the same day), and go to bed to sweat you cold away"

Now, I don't think the sock HAS TO be a dirty one, and I have tried a nice cashmeer shawl with the same effect. The fact and the matter is, I would then spend a terrible night, sweating like a pig, having terrible nightmares (most of them on the surrealistic side), and I'd wake up the next morning much fresher than I would have expected after such a frightening experience !
(note : the same thing might have happened without a shawl, a sock, or even a toddy, but we love to believe in these old gran'ma remedies, don't we ?)

Hi Connie L!

There's so many good ideas coming out of this that when they've all gathered, I shall post a link to them at the edited guide entry for cold cures: A452134

Thanks!