It seems that colds and flu are really starting to affect people this winter. I’m hearing stories left and right about people who are ill.
The first step to prevent illness is always to eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and to avoid unnecessary stress. And even if you are exposed to germs or are living the busy go-go-go life, you can often still prevent illness by enhancing your white blood cell count with echinacea, or by using the healing and preventative power of honey and onions.
Unfortunately, there is still a risk that we or our loved ones will come down with a full-fledged illness.
On the bright side, there are many herbal remedies that have been passed down for centuries to help us get better more quickly.
One is this “Be Well” tea that helps to aid in relaxation, hydration, and in producing a mild perspiration that can assist in reducing a fever.
The ingredients include: peppermint (Mentha x piperita), elder flower (Sambucus nigra), and yarrow flower and leaf (Achillea millefolium).
Peppermint is mainly included to enhance the taste of this tea and for its uplifting aroma. However, peppermint is also used along with elder flowers and yarrow to induce a mild perspiration that can lower a fever. Elder flowers are also useful in promoting relaxation. Together, this herbal combination will be a powerful ally as you rest and recover from your cold or flu.
To make this tea, just combine equal parts of peppermint, elder and yarrow.
When you want to use the tea, steep 1 teaspoon in 1 cup water (covered) for 10 – 20 minutes. Alternatively, you could brew a larger batch by adding 4-6 tablespoons to a glass quart jar. Fill this to the top with boiling water and steep for 30 – 45 minutes before straining.
To use the tea, drink 1/2 cup every half hour until you have achieved a gentle perspiration. Once you are sweating, reduce the amount of tea to 1/2 cup every hour until your fever subsides.
Interested in having some cold and flu tea just in case? Uninterested in making your own? I’d love to help keep you healthy and so I have extra for you on my Etsy site!
Green Blessings!
*Note: I am not a doctor prescribing a treatment for your cold and/or flu. Please do your research, know your own body, and take charge of your own health. Also note that although serious complications have not been reported, yarrow is an emmenagogue that will stimulate menstruation and so it is best not to consume yarrow while pregnant.
Shared on: Homestead Barn Hop,
Seasonal Celebration Wednesday
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These Light Footsteps 
HI Christine! This sounds like a lovely remedy and I also really liked your past post using onions as a remedy!
I was wondering – do you know of any natural remedies for indigestion? Thanks!! 🙂
I’m glad you liked the post! And yes, there are several herbs that are great for indigestion. Slippery elm is probably the best, but ginger and peppermint tea are also great for indigestion. Here’s a link to making a slippery elm remedy: https://theselightfootsteps.com/2012/10/28/slippery-elm-balls-for-digestive-distress/
That’s great! thanks so much Christine! 🙂
Maybe it’s already clear, but I just wanted to make sure it reads correctly that both ginger OR peppermint tea work for indigestion (I’ve actually never tried them mixed together!).
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We love our homegrown herbal teas too! I have been having fun mixing together different teas each morning. One that we do use a lot is peppermint as we enjoy the flavor. I did dry some yarrow but our only attempt at drinking it was disappointing as we found it quite bitter. Is that what you find as well? Our recent tree with wormwood was quite similiar.
Yes, yarrow is a little bitter. I don’t usually drink it on its own, but when combined with peppermint it is much more palatable! 🙂
So interesting! I love natural remedies and this sounds like it would really work. Thankfully I have not had to deal with any sickness this winter so far (knock on wood!) but will refer back to this if I need it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
PS – I love your comment on my blog about how you rescued rats from the psychology department while you were in college!
I would love to have you join The HomeAcre Hop at:
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/01/1213.html
Sounds like a really good combination of herbs for cold and flu treatment. I have yarrow in a tincture and it works really well to stop congestion and coughing. The combination in this tea would be perfect with a little local honey.
Thanks for sharing with Wildcrafting Wednesday this week.
Chris
Hi Christine, what a wonderful idea to make a tea that helps support our immune system and prevent ius form getting caught out by colds, or even ‘flu! Thanks so much for sharing at Wednesday’s Seasonal Celebration! Have a good week:-)Rebecca@ Natural Mothers Network x
Thanks for a greeat read