Sunday, November 7, 2010

The Infusions of an Amateur Herbalist

These formulas have been kitchen and illness tested by me personally. You can fine-tune them for yourself.


For Sinus Congestion

FENUGREEK
Fresh GINGER (grated)
GINSENG
PEPPERMINT
TULSI (also known as HOLY BASIL)
Lemon juice

or

For Bronchial Distress

ANISE Seed
ELDER flower
HYSSOP
MULLEIN

1. Add the herbs in equal parts to a large infusion ball or reusable teabag and toss it all into your teapot, along with the non-herb ingredients, if any.
2. Boil up some water and pour it on in.
3. Let steep for 5-10 minutes.

[Optional, add honey to the bottom of your mug (my favorite is Bio-Active Manuka* Honey)]

Pour yourself a big dose, and feel better soon.

* Manuka is better known to us as Tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium), a flowering bush from New Zealand and South East Australia. Honey containing Manuka flower pollen has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Most good health food stores will have some available.


You know I am not a doctor, so any information I have to offer is not a prescription, but a soothing recipe.