Herbs & Recipes for Cold & Flu Season

Jan 11th 2021

Herbs & Recipes for Cold & Flu Season

Herbal Cold & Flu Season

Medicinal mushrooms: have strong anti-viral activities; Agarikon, Reishi, Chaga are my personal favorites. Mushrooms are Immuno-modulators, so they tend to be pretty safe for those with auto-immune disorders.
Astragalus: Has anti-viral properties- but do not use while sick as astraglus has tonifying effects and can bring a virus deeper.
Fire Cider: Blood circulation and immune health. Fire ciders are very easy to make. I like to use a stalk of horseradish, Onion, peeled garlic cloves, jalapeno or two, Ginger, drlarge handful of elderberries (dried is fine), lemon slices, beet (the color is amazing and it is nutritious), Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Oregano. Fully cover in Organic Raw Apple Cider. Let it sit while giving jar a shake every day or two- for at least 1 month. Strain, then add some honey for taste if you like. I like to use this in cooking on my steamed greens or just take a 1 ounce shot glass full daily.
Thieves Oil: This is an essential oil blend that you can buy or make at home. Many companies make a version of similar oils. We carry a version by Pranoram called Good Samaritan. The blend consists of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus and Rosemary. The beneficial properties of
these oils are all Anti-microbial, Anti-bacterial, Fungicidal and antiseptic.
Elderberry: One of our personal favorites for anti-viral properties and pretty effective against most flu pathogens. Best part is- it tastes great and kids love it! Try using the syrup on pancakes!
Echinacea Angustifolia Root: Has alterative (lymphatic) and anti-viral properties.
Rosehips & Camu Camu: High in anti-oxidants and Vit. C.

Cold/Flu Tea
1 oz Elderberries
1oz Lemon Balm
½ oz Reishi Slices
½ oz Chaga chunks
½ oz Agarikon Mushroom powder
¼ oz. Echinacea angustifolia
½ oz Rosehips

Cooling (diaphoretic) Herbs for Fever
A common misconception is that fevers are bad. A reasonable fever is good. It is your body fighting infection. These herbs help raise your body’s temperature to promote sweating and essentially break the fever.
Elderflower
Yarrow
Boneset
Horehound (also good for dry coughs!)
Make a tea by combining equal parts of each and add another equal part of Peppermint of Spearmint for flavor.

Lung Congestion
Wet cough (white mucus):
Elecampane (drying)
Ginger (drying)
Dry cough:
Licorice Root (cooling and moistening)
Mullein (moistening)
Horehound (cooling)

Hygiene
PLEASE! NEVER COUGH OR SNEEZE INTO YOUR HAND! If you don’t have tissue- sneeze or cough into your arm. This year we all should be wearing a face covering until this second or third wave passes.
Do not go out and spread your gems if you are sick. Now is the time to make sure you do self-care and stay home!! I give you permission to sleep, take hot baths and crack out on Netflix!

Make your own Sanitizer:
Use 90% Ever clear alcohol / 10% natural aloe- add some a thieves oil blend to make extra potent!
The blend consists of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus and Rosemary. The beneficial properties of
these oils are all Anti-microbial, Anti-bacterial, Fungicidal and antiseptic.

Elderberry Syrup Recipe
1 cup fresh blue/or black elderberries or 1/2 cup if using dried
3 cups water
1 cup raw local honey
1/4 cup of dried or fresh rosehips and or organic fresh or dried Ginger (optional)
Place berries, water, and spices in a sauce pan or a glass double boiler. Bring to a light boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Smash the berries to release remaining juice and strain the mixture, stir in honey. Bottle into dark colored glass bottles. Make sure to label your product with name and date it was bottled. Will last for 2-3 months stored in the fridge.
*If you would like to preserve it longer and make it shelf stable. Add 1/2 cup of brandy, vodka or 1 cup of apple cider vinegar to finished productrt writing your story here.