Licorice Spice Tea

How a former non-tea drinker, me, became a fan! All those lovely herbal tea names always sounded so enticing - peppermint, chamomile, lemon ginger, etc., - but they tasted weak, watery, flavorless to me. So I swore off them and never looked back. Until, that is, I attended a book club last week where the hostess offered an array of items, including vegetables, cookies, pumpkin crisp and ice cream, apple cider, hot cocoa, and three kinds of tea. When she added that licorice spice tea was her favorite, I decided the courteous thing to do would be to choose it. What a surprise! It is uniquely delicious, and according to a post on the CLLC Friends forum, posted by Penny, it just may figure into a strategy of protection against the H1N1 virus, as well. I can't vouch for it, but I think it sounds fairly sensible. I checked Snopes though, and they convincingly dispute its authenticity, but quote a doc who says something to the effect of go for it if it makes you feel better, but be advised that some of the recommendations are not evidenced-based. So, see what you think:
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic
of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in
spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation
is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order
to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections,
some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can
be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face
(unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt).
*H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate
and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way,
gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu
has on an infected one.. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful
preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean the nostrils at least once every day with warm salt
water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas
to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both
nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing
down viral population..*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other
citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that
it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids such as teas, etc. as you can. *Drinking warm liquids
has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating
viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or
do any harm.