Herbal Tea Guide to Surviving Winter Colds and Flu

My household and I just weathered a series of colds and feverish flus and tea got us through it all!ere are some of the herbs that helped us heal up and get back to happy and healthy:

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) This revered candy classic is also a wonderful anti-inflammatory that relieves the discomfort of colds in the sinuses, It can sooth sore throats, coughs and also is a GI curative. Treat licorice root exactly as you would ginger with 1 minced teaspoon of fresh or dried steeped in one cup of tea twice day,

Milk Thistle (Silybum manianum )Healers love mile thistle for its ability to protect the liver from toxins, harsh medicines, alcohol and unseen environmental pollutants, It can be obtained as an extract at any health food store or upscale groceries or pharmacies. There is some evidence it can also help heal the kidneys.

Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus) Here is an herbalist’s favorite for healing any respiratory ailment involving congestion coughs sore throats and calms the breathing. Mullein flowers infused in oil are also used to aid earaches. Take one heaping tablespoon of the leaves and steep in one cup of boiling water for no more than 10 minutes. Taken as a tea once, you’ll feel better soon

Nettle (Urtica dioica) Nettle has been used as a healer for untold centuries and relieves allergies, an immune booster and can even help with a distended prostate. It is also a superfood and beloved for the nutrients. If you are working with fresh nettles, wear gloves to avoid the stinging. Cooking or drying removes any irritant. Any herb or health food store will have dried nettle or capsule form. Make nettle tea by steeping 2 teaspoons of leaves for ten minutes or take the capsules in recommended doses of 300 to 500 mg twice a day.

Sage (Salvia officinalis) We know sage is great for clearing spaces and also as a savory for soups, roasts, dressing, stew and much more but it is also a highly regarded treatment at European spas for sweating, menopause, hot flashes, night sweats and accompanying discomfort. It is also an excellent remedy for colds, coughs and sore throats. ***Note: pregnant women should not use this. Simply make sage tea with one teaspoon of the dried leaves which you can drink or gargle to amend a sore throat.

Slippery Elm Bark (Ulmus rubra)

Slippery Elm Bark has even been approved by the FDA as a remedy for the irritation of sores throats and other sighs of an impending cold including coughs. This herbal can also help with stomach upset and amend heartburn, A powdered version of the bark can easily be obtained at any health food store or upscale green grocer which can be made into a tea using 1 to 2 teaspoons of the powdered bark you can drink twice a day,