Cold and flue season is upon us and it has hit our house hard this year. We do all of the normal things to stay healthy and we eat well. But, for whatever reason, we just haven't been able to escape all of those pesky germs! Luckily, we have some beneficial herbs and spices on hand to make our own cold and flu busting homemade herbal tea that is both good to drink, and packed full of healthy properties that are good for you too. This herbal tea is a great way to fight the cold or flu naturally.
When I placed my seed order last year, I added more herbs than normal in an attempt to dry them and use them throughout the year. I had great ambitions, but only ended up with a few plants that were usable for us to dry and save. Those herbs are used to make the base for this recipe along with a cinnamon stick and whole cloves that we didn't grow. We love knowing as much as possible where our food comes from, but using store-bought herbs and spices is totally OK!
The herbs I chose for our tea mixture all have their own beneficial properties that make them great for busting through cold and flu symptoms. Chamomile is known to be a muscle relaxer and immune booster, it's muscle relaxing properties will help calm the tickle in the throat that makes you cough. Lemon Balm is known for it's ability to calm vomiting, and it's calming affects will help you get a good night's sleep. Mint contains menthol which helps open up nasal passages and ease sinus pressure, while it's cooling essence helps soothe sore throats. Cloves are high in antioxidants which help the immune system and are natural pain relievers. Cloves are also expectorants which make it easier to cough up and eliminate phlegm. Lastly, Cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory. All of these herbs together will compliment your cold or flu fighting strategy.
Please keep in mind, I am not a doctor, nor am I in a position to administer medical advice. These recipes have been tested by my family and we have survived to talk about it. Use this recipe at your own risk.
Cold and Flue Busting Homemade Herbal Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
- Variety of herbs (if making your own tea)
lemon balm
mint
3 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
- 1 Quart water
Instructions:
In a medium size saucepan, simmer the herbs and water for about 20 minutes
Strain the herbs using a cheese cloth or a wire mesh tea infuser, do this twice to make sure all bits are removed
Use right away or store in the fridge for up to a week
Need other uses for your homemade herbal tea for cold or flu? Try our recipe for Herbal Cough Drops and Herbal Cough Syrup
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