Macedonian home remedies for a cold & sore throat

Cold and flu season has arrived, and I've picked up a terrible cold & sore throat.  However, my wonderful Macedonian parents have instructed me on some interesting home remedies they use and I thought it would be interesting to share them.

MK Remedy #1.  Tea with honey and freshly squeezed lemon. 

Not sure why, but my mother-in-law always tells me to wait until the tea has cooled before adding the lemon and honey. 

MK Remedy #2.  Sliced lemons covered with sugar. 

"Lemon drop" minus the vodka. :)

MK Remedy #3.  1 tsp. of sugar mixed with equal parts of honey and brandy (aka Rakija)

This is supposed to be really good for coughing & sore throat.

MK Remedy #4.  Hot Brandy (Rakija) & Black Pepper
          Another great remedy for sore throat, and usually done right before bed.You will need:

• 2 cotton bandanna's or hand towels roughly the same size (long enough to wrap around neck)
• Home brandy (warmed)
• Black pepper

In the center of the towel add ground black pepper. Then roll the towel so that it may be wrapped around the neck & throat comfortably, pour hot brandy on the towel (be careful that it is not too hot); wrap the towel around the neck and throat.  Add an additional towel too keep the heat in, and go to sleep. 

MK Remedy #5.  Hot water & Salt 

Soak feet in hot water mixed with a few teaspoons of salt, when the water cools down, add more hot water.  Keep doing this until the heat reaches your head and your done.  (I'm a little skeptical about this one, but it's supposed to help with a cold.)

Fun Facts:
I was told at the Church of Saint George Monastery that, historically, people would scrap the eye's from the icons and use it to make potions.  They believed that the powder from the eyes of the frescoes was healing.