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TRADITIONAL COLD & FLU HERBS
ASTRAGALUS (Astragalus membranaceus) Immune tonic, anti-inflammatory,
antiviral, antibacterial
CODONOPSIS ( Codonopsis spp.) Mild energy tonic, demulcent,
expectorant
ECHINACEA (Echinacea pupurea, E. angustifolia) Boosts Immune system;
Induces production of body's antiviral substance, interferon;
anti-inflammatory
EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus globulus) Antiviral, antibacterial,
decongestant
FENNEL and ANISE SEEDS (Foeniculum vulgare or Pimpinella anisum)
Antispasmodic, antimicrobial
GINGER (Zingeber offiniale) Warming, diaphoretic, antimicrobial,
reduces pain, relieves nausea
LOTUS root (Nelumbo nucifera) Helps disperse mucus in the lungs
PEPPERMINT (Menthaxpiperita) Decongestive, relaxes airways, reduces
pain, antiviral, antibacterial
ROSEMARY (Rosmarinu officinalis) Antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory,
improves circulation
SAGE (Salvia officinalis) Dries excessive secretions, reduces
inflammation, antibacterial
SHIITAKE mushroom (lentinus edodes) Immune tonic, antiviral
VALERIAN root (valeriana officinalis) Sedative, antispasmodic
Note: Pregnant women and people with chronic health problems should
consult a health care practioner before using herbs. Please take care
and learn all you about herbs and their uses and safety before using
them.
********************************************************* THROAT SPRAY Equal parts of the liquid extracts of:
Echinacea
Propolis resin (a bee product)
Hyssop
Sage
St-John's-wort
Vegetable glycerin
Put the extracts in a spray bottle, shake, and spritz onto your throat
as often as every half-hour, or as needed.
******************************************************** SAGE GARGLE 1 cup boiling water
2 tsp sage leaves
Steep 15-20 minutes and strain.
Add 1/2 tsp salt, stir, and gargle while the water is comfortably
warm.
Good substitutes for sage are thyme, marjoram, and hyssop.
WATER and HERBAL TEAS
Drink lots of of water, and include herbal teas! Water is your
friend!!
****************************************************** STEAM INHALATION 1 part peppermint essential oil
2 parts tea tree essential oil
3 parts rosemary essential oil
4 parts eucalyptus oil essential oil
Boil a pot of water, remove from stove: Add 3 to 5 drops of the above
blend to the hot water. Lean forward so that you feel the steam, being
very careful not to get it burn, cover your head with a towel, and
breathe deeply. Breathe through your nose if nasal congestion bothers
you and through your mouth if your complaint is a cough.
You can also add 10 drops of this blend to a hot bath.
*Caution: As a general rule, don't take essential oils internally or
appy them near the mouth or nose of an infant or toddler.
************************************************** Nasal Decongestant Tea 1 tsp. yarrow flowers,
1 tsp. elder flowers,
1 tsp.peppermint,
1 tsp. elcampane root,
1 qt. boiling water
Combine herbs and pour water over. Cover and steep for
20. mins. Strain out herbs. Drink a few times a day.
*************************************************** Cold & Flu Tea 1/2 tsp. echinacea root,
1/2 tsp. hyssop,
1/2 tsp.elder flowers,
1/2 tsp. peppermint,
1/2 tsp. yarrow,
1/2 tsp. shizandra berries,
1 qt. boiling water
Combine herbs and pour water over. Steep 20 mins.,
strain out herbs.
***************************************************** Ginger Tea 1 inch or so fresh ginger root, sliced thin or grated
1/2 a fresh lemon, sliced (peel & all)
1 clove garlic, mashed
~2 c water
Very generous spoonful honey
Place water, ginger, lemon, & garlic in saucepan; bring to boil, then
turn
down heat and simmer gently for 20 min. Strain into mugs and add lots
of
honey. The tea *will* get stronger if you let it sit! Most
invigorating!
The garlic adds a bit of bitterness, but the honey masks that. This
tea is
very soothing to the throat and warms and opens the chest and nasal
passages. Plus there are all those vitamins and other good things! I
now
make this tea at the first sign of a cold, which helps me fight it
off. I
find it more effective than the commercial hot lemon remedies, and of
course
cheaper!
Contributed by Kim Goddard Old Fashioned Mustard Plaster Helps relieve chest congestion due to colds.
1 tbsp dry mustard
1/4 cup flour
Lukewarm water
Sift together mustard and flour in a bowl. Slowly add just enough
water to
make a paste. Spread the plaster on a piece of muslin big enough to
cover
chest. Cover with another piece of muslin.
Make sure the skin is dry. Place the mustard plaster on the chest.
Check
frequently and discontinue if there is any kind of allergic reaction.
Remove
when skin begins to turn red, usually after 10-20 minutes, and don't
leave
on any longer than 30 minutes at a time. Then rub the chest w/
petroleum
jelly to keep the heat in. Treat twice daily until congestion clears
up.
NOTE: For children, reduce amount of flour to 6 tbsp.
careful this could burn skin, so test first. 
Simple Cough Syrups Simple Cough Syrup
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup honey
1/4 cup warm water
Combine lemon juice and honey in a bowl. Slowly stir in the water.
Store in
a covered jar in the refrigerator - take 1-2 tbsp as needed for cough.
To soothe a sore throat, add 1 tbsp of mixture to a cup of comfrey
root,
chamomile or rosemary tea.
************************************* Hyssop Cough Syrup Licorice flavored, soothes sore throats.
2 tbsp dried hyssop (flower tops) or 1/3 cup fresh hyssop (chopped
flowers)
1/4 cup water
1 cup honey
1 tsp aniseed
In a saucepan combine honey and water. Stir until the mixture is
consistency
of pancake syrup. Bring slowly to a boil (over a medium heat). Skim
off any
scum that rises to the surface.
Use 1-2 tbsp water to moisten the dried hyssop. Crush the aniseed.
Stir both
into the honey. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Remove
from
heat, uncover, and allow to cool. While the mixture is still a little
warm,
strain into a jar. When completely cooled, screw on the lid. Should
keep for
1 week.
***************************************
Glycerine Lemon Cough Syrup 1 lemon
2 tbsp glycerine
2 tbsp honey
Heat the lemon by boiling it in water for 10 minutes. Cut in half and
squeeze out the juice. Add the glycerine and honey. Take 1 tsp as
needed.
************************************** Marshmallow Cough Syrup 2 cups water
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup orange juice or juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 tsp chopped dried marshmallow root
In a small saucepan, bring the marshmallow root and water to a boil.
Recuce
heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain liquid into another
saucepan
(should result in about 1 cup). Over a low heat, slowly stir in the
sugar
until it becomes thick and granules completely dissolve. (Stir in
more water
if the mixture becomes too thick.) Remove from heat and stir in the
orange
juice. Transfer to a container and allow to cool before covering
tightly.
**************************************** Wild Cherry Cough Syrup 2 cups water
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar (scant)
1 tsp wild cherry bark
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 tsp chopped dried marshmallow root
Make a decoction of the cherry bark and marshmallow root. (Boil in
water for
about 4 minutes. Steep the mixture with the cover on the pot for a few
minutes.) Slowly stir in the sugar and cream of tartar, simmer until
the
mixture becomes thick and sugar granules completely dissolve.
Transfer to a
container and allow to cool before covering tightly.
********************************* Lemon Cayenne Throat Soother Mix 1 tsp honey with 1 tsp lemon juice and dash of cayenne pepper.
Take like
cough syrup. This does not prevent cough, but does relieve throat
pain in
two ways. First, the honey and lemon coat the throat. Second, the
cayenne
pepper brings blood cells needed to fight off infection to the throat
area.
Contributed by Beth
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