Measured pours of this sweet, spicy juice help to keep sore throats and post nasal drip at bay during cold season.

Working when you’re sick is terrible, and since sick leave in America is far from universal (similar to legal cannabis access), many service workers share DIY remedies that you can sometimes make from the stuff you have on hand at work. This “cough syrup” was my go-to when the exhaustion and general malaise of a cold wasn’t enough to stay home, but I still needed a major immune system boost to get through the day.

No one should have to work while sick, but many of us do, and measured pours of this sweet, spicy juice help to keep sore throats and post nasal drip at bay, one hour at a time. When things are really rotten and you’re stuck at home, an hourly gargle with salt water or diluted vinegar followed by an ounce of this throat coating specialty help soothe your symptoms.

Vitamin C and the added zip of ginger are saviors for immune boosting, and the bromelain in the pineapple juice helps with inflamed throats, cannabis helps with pain and can maybe help you skip smoking or vaping, which would be irritating to an already sore situation. Since this is more of a symptom soother than a “cure” don’t forget to seek real medical advice in the case of a high fever or persistent illness.

Pineapple​ ​Cough​ ​Remedy

Makes 16 oz, 2mg THC per oz, estimated

• 1 pineapple
• 1lb ginger
• 3 lemons
• 1 Tbs cannabis glycerin tincture

Depending on the type of juicer you have, you can decide how concentrated you want your juice output to be. If you are using a blender, you may have to add some water regardless of your preference. A centrifugal juicer may make a very strong juice, so be prepared for some spice, but know you can add water to taste.

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Break down a fresh pineapple by removing the leaves and cutting off the tough outer skin. Remove the core and either cut into spears for a centrifuge juicer and chunks for a blender. Skin the ginger by using a scraping motion with a spoon or the blunt side of a butter knife, then cut into chunks. Remove skin and most of the pith from lemons, cut in half.

Blend or juice all ingredients, adding 16oz of water if using a blender. You must strain well if you’re blending, as it will be really pulpy and not pleasant this way. Taste for possible dilution with a centrifugal juicer.

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Add glycerin tincture and mix until dissolved. Either store in a clean bottle with a seal or cap, or dispense into smaller jars for single serving on the go. Serve 1 oz at a time after gargling for best results. Stores for 2 days maximum in the fridge.

*Cannabis​ ​Glycerin​ ​Tincture

Decarboxylate 3.5g of finely ground cannabis at 225 degrees for 20 minutes in a tightly sealed, oven safe container. Put cannabis in lidded mason jar or vacuum sealed bag with cannabis and ½ cup vegetable glycerin. Heat in water bath just under boiling for at least 1 hour. Strain and chill to use in recipes.

Being sick is the worst, and when you have the energy to put some of your efforts into treating symptoms and taking care of yourself, you tend to get better faster, or at least it feels that way. If you’re in bad shape, this juice would also be easy to purchase from a juice spot, and adding cannabis can help relieve pain or help you to skip anything smoky until your respiratory system is in tip top shape.

Photos: Maria Penaloza