Classic Cold and Flu Herb Tea
If you're cold or flu has a feverish element or you have chills this old fashioned tea blend may help you feel better, it’s one of the first remedies I make when I feel a cold taking root, I first came across it in herbalist Non Shaw’s book ‘Herbalism An Illustrated Guide’ back in 1998 when I was just getting in to discovering the wonderful health benefits of herbs. It contains just three herbs and I add a little honey to sweeten it. The yarrow increases perspiration, that process helps you ‘sweat’ the cold out, the elderflowers reduce inflammation and soothe the irritation of the mucus membranes whilst the peppermint is antiseptic, decongestant and anti-spasmodic all useful properties to have on hand when suffering from a cold. Combined this tea blend may help to reduce a fever, ease congestion and soothe a sore throat!
I make this tea up in jam jar quantities and keep it in the cupboard, ready for immediate use each 'Part' in the recipe is 20g but you can make a little or a lot, just use equal part measures.
Ingredients:
• 1 Part Dried Yarrow
• 1 Part Dried Elderflowers
• 1 Part Dried Peppermint Leaves
• Water
• Honey to serve
Combine the herbs and mix well and store in a glass jar out of direct sunlight. When suffering from a cold, place 1 teaspoon (approx. 5g) of cold and flu tea per 250ml cup, in to a tea pot or cafetière, pour on boiling water and leave to infuse for 1-5 minutes, depending how strong you like your tea. Strain in to a cup and sweeten with a little honey. Drink a cup up to 3 times a day.
If you don’t care for the flavour of the herbs in the above tea blend, ginger makes a good alternative and you can use ground ginger powder or ginger root to make a soothing tea that will help increase perspiration, ease coughing, it’s anti-viral in action and can offer mild relief from aches and pains. Add some lemon and honey as both are soothing to a sore throat.
Herbal Decongestants
If the nose and chest are congested a blend of decongestant herbs can get you breathing again, you can either take a warm bath to which a few essential oils known for their decongestant properties such as eucalyptus, peppermint, thyme and rosemary have been added, or put dried herbs or oils into a bowl and use a towel placed over the head as you lean over the bowl to create a steam bath. Inhaling the vapours for 3-5 minutes can help open up the airways and help to relieve congestion. You can also make your own vapour rub for easing congestion.
Congestion Ease Vapour Rub
Ingredients:
• 30ml Sweet Almond Oil (Use grapeseed oil if you suffer from nut allergies.)
• 5g Beeswax (Grated)
• 10 Drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
• 8 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
• 5 Drops Camphor Essential Oil
Put the grapeseed oil into a glass bowl over a pan of hot water and stir in the beeswax until melted, then stir in the eucalyptus, peppermint and camphor essential oils. Pour into a clean, sterilised dark glass jar and leave to cool, label and used within 6 months. To use, massage the vapour rub over the chest, neck and throat. Using a decongestant rub before sleep can help to relieve congestion and discomfort, allowing you to fall asleep more easily. Other oils with decongestant properties can also be used such as juniper berry, rosemary and lavender.
