It's that time of year again, germs
and bugs abounding. Hopefully I am just in time to share a
collective of care practices for the common cold that are often found in our home.
First a simple tea to
blend, consisting of a few wonderful herbs that are easy to grow
and/or to locate if you need to purchase them. Please be sure your supplier is reputable.
- Chamomile – mild sedative, restlessness
- Echinacea – immunomodulating, contraindication for auto immune
- Black Elder – immune stimulant
- Yarrow – anti-inflammatory, herbal bitter, anti-microbial
- Peppermint – antitussive, anti-spasmatic
- Nettle – anti-rheumatic
Directions: blend equal parts of the above dried herbs and store them in a dark, labeled container.
To use: simply fill your standard tea ball with your tea blend and place this into your special tea cup. Add six to eight ounces of hot water. Cover. Let the tea steep roughly five minutes or until preferred strength is reach. Sip while hot and tolerable.
*Variation - you could also add some dried orange peel or apple.
Elderberry Tincture – sambucus nigra - in our home we use a tincture made with elderberry and brandy most of the time. Hot Toddies with this base offer wonderful night relief. However, when my daughter was younger we made syrups for the sweet element. With a simple internet search you will see that Elderberry Tincture, Extracts and Syrup recipes are everywhere. However, this is my go to because of the solidarity of their educational and resource materials.
- From Vintage Remedies - an Elderberry Syrup recipe
Herbal Foot Baths:
- David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG in Medical Herbalism, page 337 - shares this recipe: Add 1 T mustard powder to 4 pints of hot water – soak feet for roughly ten minutes, twice a day.
- Nana would say soak your feet in Epsom Salts, for ten to fifteen minutes, dry your feet and apply a vapor rub to the soles and then cover them with cotton or wool socks. Do this prior to going to bed and sleep with your socks on through the night.
Aromatherapy for the Cold:
diffusing these essential oils through out the day, especially where
you are resting will be beneficial to you and your environment.
- Melaleuca & Eucalyptus
- Rosemary & Peppermint
You could also make any of these combinations into a linen spray for your pillow or head rest.
To make a Linen Spray:
Simply mix equal amount of vodka and distilled water - like ¼ C to ¼ C – add 10 to 15 drops of each essential oil in the combination. Add this mixture to a spray bottle, label and date. Shake well before each use. You can adjust accordingly depending on the type of spray bottle you use. We prefer and use glass.
*creative note - I actually use a little less vodka or alcohol and more essential oils.
Simply mix equal amount of vodka and distilled water - like ¼ C to ¼ C – add 10 to 15 drops of each essential oil in the combination. Add this mixture to a spray bottle, label and date. Shake well before each use. You can adjust accordingly depending on the type of spray bottle you use. We prefer and use glass.
*creative note - I actually use a little less vodka or alcohol and more essential oils.
Steam Inhalation: place about
1/3c of blended herbs OR two drops each of essential oils of
Chamomile and Bergamot into a bowl, and pour boiling water over them,
then create a tent with an old - but large towel - by draping the
towel over your head and around the bowl. Be sure not to let the
steam escape. This is best done in a seated position so you can lean
over to accommodate the action required... inhale slowly for 5 to 10
min.
A NOTE ON ESSENTIAL OILS: length of
time may vary and it is best to start with one drop of each to begin
with, and do not use if you are sensitive to the listed essential
oils or plants.
In the Kitchen: foods such as
onions, garlic, ginger, astralgalus and lemon are great for the
common cold and should be added to the diet liberally while sick.
Unless those foods listed are contraindicated for your
system.
Meals like – chicken soup,
made with home made bone broth and astralgalus root would be a great
meal. Again, heavy on the garlic and onions if you can tolerate them and
remember to avoid sugar as much as possible while sick, as sugar has
negative effects on your immune system.
Drink plenty of water, consume lots of vitamin C and get ample rest.
Drink plenty of water, consume lots of vitamin C and get ample rest.
For Nurturing the Soul: it's no
fun being sick. However I do find comfort in God's Word. Here are a couple verses I like
to think upon or make into cards for me to see throughout the day.
- Romans 12:12 - Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
- Proverbs 31:25 - Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
I hope you find these ideas helpful and prepped for cold season.
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