Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Herbal Remedies

Today, I'm sharing with you,
the perfect remedy for a sore throat and a stuffy nose.

I woke up on Christmas morning with my cold back in full force.
I went about my day trying to make the best of it,
but my brother in law showed me the herb comfrey,
that would help me lots and lots.
So, I went home and tried it myself adding a few things for even more benefit.

I've always loved herbs.
I have a silver box full of herbs for teas, skin care, and other little remedies.
And I always love learning about new ones.
Comfrey and Chamomile

Comfrey is a sweet, cooling herb with expectorant, astringent, soothing and healing effects. It reduces inflammation and controls bleeding.It contains allantoin as well as high amounts of mucilage and also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and their N-oxides (intermedine, symphytine and echimidine), as well as tannins, triterpenes and organic acids (including rosmarinic acid).

In other words.. it helps your nose be much less stuffy. 

Chamomile is one of the most widely used herbs. It is a carminative, remedial tonic, which also has anti-inflammatory properties and is used to encourage digestion and boost the immune system.

In other words.. it is very calming, and boosts your immune system.

Next, get a pretty little tea cup like mine. 
Mine has a removable strainer, and a little lit to help it steep.

You could also use:
A tea strainer
A bamboo strainer 
A bombilla (like the ones used for Mate)
Or a tea bag.

Anything to strain the herbs, so you get mostly tea.
Next, heat your water up. 
Don't bring it to a boil, or let the tea pot whistle. 
This will make your tea bitter.
Instead wait until you can hear small bubbles forming, right before it starts to boil.
While your water is getting nice and hot fill up your strainer with the herbs.
I used equal parts of Comfrey and Chamomile.
Add your water.
This part is optional. 
You can either leave it to steep and get nice and strong, like I did with the lid..
Or 
You can hold the cup under your nose so you breath in the steam.
That is good when you have a really bad stuffy nose.
Let the tea seep for about 3-5 minutes,
or until it starts to cool off enough for you to drink it.
Remove the strainer, or tea bag or whatever you choose to use.
Add a spoon full or two of honey, and stir.
 Then drink it!
Be careful.. it will be hot.
If it's not sweet enough, add more honey. 
The honey will help your throat.
And if you choose to use a cup like mine, 
don't be surprised to see a lot of the herbs at the bottom..
Learn to read tea leaves! 
(That's next on my list.)

 And when you are done, 
wait a few minutes then blow your nose. 
The comfrey will make all that stuffiness in your nose want to come out. 
All at once.


Gross, but at least you will be able to breath. 



15 comments:

  1. I love your teacup! And I didn't know that letting the water boil makes your tea bitter. Is it letting the water boil that does that, or just if you use hot water? Would it work if you cooled it after the pot whistled?

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  2. Letting it cool for a minute or so would be okay. Water at a boiling temperature will "cook" the leaves and destroy the tea and its flavor, creating a bitter tasting tea.

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  3. Great tip! I'm trying to remember how the structures of those chemicals you spoke of look like lol...an entire year of organic chemistry came and went last year haha maybe to no avail, but still awesome to know. :)

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  4. I don't know much about chemistry.. I just know this tea works!

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  5. You know what else is good, elderberrys. I made a tonic of elderberry tea and honey, and I havent gotten sick once. :D

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  6. Ooo! That sounds fantastic Sara!

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  7. I love this post!
    I'm currently in school working towards an Alternative Medicine degree.
    I have hopes of owning my own herbal dispensary/acupuncture practice. :)
    I hope you're feeling better! :)
    <33 Ashlynn.
    http://www.sillycyclops.blogspot.com

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  8. Ashlynn! That is so cool! I've ALWAYS wanted to own a little herb shop! And have a parrot named paul there too!!

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  9. I actually made a cough syrup today that I read about in "Do it Gorgeously" from marshmallow root powder and slippery elm powder. It came out...gooey...but good. And it works wonderfully! I'll have to give your tea a try!

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  10. That is a gorgeous tea cup! I love it! When I get a cold, it all goes to my chest and My hubby always makes me tea and honey with lemon when I'm sick. Works every time!

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  13. ooh, i've never tried comfrey! thanks for this cute and helpful post!

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