a sovereign cure for all ills

while boiling a pint of water:
Squeeze a lemon into a jug
Grate in a piece of ginger the size of a rugby-player's thumb
Add a generous tablespoon of honey, two inches of cinnamon (or half a teaspoon of powdered cinnamon if that's what you have) and a few cloves.
Pour on boiling water. 
Let steep for 5-10 mins 
Drink as hot as you can stand it without scalding yourself.
Repeat regularly.