Home Remedies...

I've been sick for about a week and a half....I just called the Dr.. but they are closed.  Maybe it's time for some home remedies.

Home Remedies for Colds and Flu Shopping List:

Garlic – anti-viral, antibiotic, and antiseptic.
Onion – great for coughs and raw onion keeps the respiratory tract open.
Ginger – antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. In addition to treating cold/flu, ginger is excellent for nausea and vomiting.
Sage – carminative, antiseptic, and astringent – the mouth and throat plant. Used for sore throats and cough. Also used for sinus congestion. Sage should not be used when pregnant or breast feeding.
Thyme – antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, expectorant, and astringent. Thyme is great for respiratory infections and coughs. It is also good for the stomach and relieves gas.
Cayenne powder – stimulant, anti-microbial, analgesic, carminative, diaphoretic, and expectorant. Cayenne can help prevent a cold or flu as well as shorten the duration of a cold or flu. It brings heat to the body, which can help dispel coldness.
Honey – raw, local honey should ideally be purchased either at a farmer’s market or at Whole Foods or Trader Joes. Honey is antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic. Do not give honey to children under 1 year old.
Lemon – high in vitamin C, lemon may help decrease the strength of the cold and flu virus in the body and reduce phlegm. Many folks use lemons to build resistance to cold and flu, and speed up healing.

TEA AND INFUSIONS

HERBAL TEA – GENERAL PREPARATIONHerbal teas are a great way to treat cold/flu symptoms! Not only do you get the medicinal benefits, but they are also soothing, warm, and relaxing.

• Pour boiling water over the herb, steep at least 20 minutes, and strain.
• You can also use a French press, preparing as above and pressing after 20 minutes

INFUSION – GENERAL PREPARATIONInfusions usually use more herbs than regular herbal teas and are steeped for longer periods of time. I find using a French press to be the best method of infusing and the easiest way to strain. But, any glass jar (mason or recycled food containers) and a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth can be used.

• 2 ounces of herbs or 2 generous handfuls of dried herb
• 1 pint of water (if not completely covered add more water until the herb material is completely covered)
• Steep for 4 – 10 hours or overnight
• Strain herbs

Basic Cold & Flu Tea

I use this tea as a base and then add some of the other remedies below if needed. Garlic can irritate the stomach. If you are drinking this often you may need to adjust the amount of garlic or eliminate it.

Ingredients

3-4 slices fresh ginger with skin
One clove chopped garlic
Cayenne powder
Tea of choice (black, green, oolong, herbal)
Honey to taste
Milk/milk alternative, optional

Directions

• Bring 3-4 slices of fresh ginger (skin on) and one clove of chopped garlic to a boil and simmer for approximately 20 minutes
• Use ginger water to steep tea (black, green, oolong or any herbal tea)
• Add cayenne powder as hot as can be tolerated to induce sweating
• Honey to taste
• Add milk or dairy alternative (almond, soy or other)
• Drink 3-4 cups per day
• Drink before bed and bundle up to induce sweat

Garlic Lemonade

This is another base recipe to drink daily through the duration of illness.

Ingredients

2-4 chopped garlic cloves
3-4 slices fresh ginger
Raw honey
Water
2-3 lemons

Directions

• In a 1 quart mason jar combine 2-4 cloves chopped garlic and 3-4 slices of fresh ginger.
• Cover and let steep for at least 20 minutes.
• Add juice of 2-3 lemons and honey to taste (approximately ¼ cup)
• You can strain or leave herbs in mixture.
• Consume warm and as needed. It can be consumed at room temperature, but not chilled.