5 FOR THE PRICE OF 1!

One of the things I love about herbs is their versatility. If you’ve only ever thought of herbs as Tea, then prepare yourself for a new awakening! There are so many different ways to prepare herbs. Teas are usually our first introduction to the world of herbal medicine, but they can also be made into compresses, tinctures, steams, foot baths, salves, infused oils, vinegars, infused honey – the possibilities are endless!

Everybody loves a bargain, right? This week, I’m going to give you an herbal recipe that you can make once and get 5 for the price of 1! And it’s not complex! Anyone can do this and once you get this easy prep down, you can experiment with other herbs as your knowledge grows. When we talked about energetics, we tasted the herbs to gain a better understanding of the attributes and properties of the herbs, based on their tastes alone! And that was without ever cracking a book!

The best way to learn about herbs is not through a book. It’s by experiencing them firsthand.

So here we go. First, you’re going to have to decide which herb you want to use. Let’s start with what’s available in your own backyard. Things are getting so expensive these days, so if I have free medicinal herbs growing in my backyard, I’m going to use them! And remember when we talked about the Medicine chest in your garden? We learned that ALL herbs and spices have medicinal value, so you can’t go wrong!

My second criteria is, what do I need for the particular season I’m in? If it were summer, I’d be looking at peppermint and plantain, cucumber, peppers, etc. But it’s fall now, and cold and flu season is upon us. So I’m going to want some herbs specifically for that season. I’ve narrowed it down to 3 herbs – sage, thyme and oregano.

I chose these herbs because almost everyone has access to these in their gardens and they all have the same energetics and similar attributes. Add to that, they are all wonderful herbs for the cold and flu season.

Sage is antiseptic, astringent, carminative and helps stop excessive secretions. If you are a nursing mother, you won’t want to use sage, as it could dry up your milk production.

Thyme is antimicrobial, antispasmodic, an expectorant, and anti-inflammatory. This makes it a great choice for sore throats coughs, urinary tract infections and congested sinuses.

Oregano is antibacterial, anti-viral, an expectorant, and a nervine. It’s great for those thick mucous coughs and respiratory infections.

We’re going to choose one of these, or if you’re very adventurous, use 2 or all of them! Here’s the recipe:

4 cups of water

4 TBLS of the dried herb – if you’re using fresh herbs, the standard ratio is 3:1 – dried to Fresh. So for every teaspoon of dried herb, use a tablespoon of fresh chopped herb.

Bring to a boil, then turn off. Let steep, covered for 10 minutes – longer if you want a stronger infusion. Strain off the herbs.

Here’s how you’re going to use it:

1 Cup Tea – Sage is great as a mucous reducer and decongestant

1 Cup as a gargle – add 1/4 tsp of salt. This is excellent for inflamed gums, or throat infections

1/2 Cup as a steam – pour into a basin, put a towel over your head and the basin, and breathe in the healing aromatics. If you get too hot, just lift the corner of the towel. Keep your eyes closed.

1 Cup as a foot bath – great for athlete’s foot!

1/2 Cup as a compress to heal skin, reduce inflammation and calm irritated tissues. Get a clean cloth, soak in the tea, wring out and apply. Keep repeating.

And there you have it! Now, of course, you aren’t going to do all of these at once, but a simple tea can be used in all these different ways and it’s very easy.

So keep these suggestions in mind as the season progresses. I’d love to know how you’re using them and what herbs you use. Please leave a comment for me!

Remember my Elderberry syrup in a bag, the Cold and Flu survival Pak and the Winter Survival Pak as well as inhalers to help get you through the season. Until next week, keep experimenting and Let’s Get Better!