St Blaise was born in Sebastea in what used to be Armenia, but is now Turkey. He died in the 300s some time through having his flesh torn by hot metal combs, and then by being beheaded for good measure. Poor chap. Not nice at all.
The medieval Greek 'Acts of St Blaise' hold the key to his specialist area today --- throats. Apparently a poor woman's only child was choking on a fishbone and St Blaise sorted the little fellow out and ever since then he has dealt with throats. This has given Blaise a special place as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, the saints of medieval times who were particularly useful for certain things.
It's even traditional for people to have their throats blessed on the feast of St Blaise, using two crossed candles that have been blessed the day before at Candlemas. This is still very popular in many places --- I try to get the throat blessing each year if I can, as I do a lot of singing.
And so what better to prepare for St Blaise than a helpful linctus for the throat. After all it's a rotten time of year for sniffles and bad throats.
Really this is the traditional honey and lemon but with a few of my little twists.
Honey: a nice, light, runny honey. Sweet and tasty. Apparently it does pretty much nothing for the health, but it is soothing for a sore throat.
Lemon: works as an astringent, which helps clear the throat, but really does very little either.
Ginger: you can use a teaspoon or so of ground ginger (it works v. well and is much less faff than fresh stuff). This does all sorts of nice things to your body and it doesn't half clear your nose.
A couple of drops of Tabasco: peps it all up
And finally, garlic: apparently this actually *does* something. It's a natural antiseptic, it helps the body absorb nutrients, it boosts the immune system, and it makes your breath smell lovely.
And the ingredient that's probably best for your throat of all... WATER. Hot, steamy water.
I'm actually feeling quite vocally fresh at the moment, but it's always nice to be soothed in the winter months.
Finally: if you are from Milan you will of course have saved a bit of your Christmas panettone to eat today for San Biagio. I am not from Milan and so I have guzzled mine already.
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