Herbal Tea/ Decoction for Flu, persistent Cough and Congestion (recipe) (2024)

..oh, just for the fun of it!

And because I often pronounce

it with an H 😉

You say ‘erbs, and we say Herbs… because there’s an ‘H’ in it!”

― Eddie Izzard

Nettle– One of my favorite herbs! we pick spring leaves while they are still young, dry them and store. In the fall we pick seeds, that have different benefits, not less amazing! Its packed with vitamins and minerals, such as high content of Iron, calcium, Vitamin A, K, folate,Lutein, potassium, and magnesium. And its antihistamine and support kidneys and adrenals.

Coltsfoot– One of the most popular of cough remedies. It is generally given together with other herbs possessing pectoral qualities, such as Horehound, Marshmallow, Ground Ivy…Coltsfoot contains a significant amount of a substance called mucilage. This substance then coats the throat and effectively soothes the respiratory tract. It is thought that this herb has an excellent effect against Asthma, sore throat, wheezing, bronchitis and laryngitis.

Bergamot (Bee Balm)– Very beautiful and fragrant plant to grow. When dried – taste like Earl Gray tea. Neuroprotective and prevents glutamate accumulation. Great for digestion! Antibacterial,antiseptic, carminative(gas relief), diaphoretic (sweat inducing), diuretic and antiparasitic. Traditionally used in the treatment of colds, headaches, and gastric disorders, to reduce low fevers and soothe a sore throat, to relieve flatulence, nausea, and insomnia. Antibacterial and antifungal effects of bergamot are due to a phenolic compound is known asthymol(also in Thyme).Research has demonstrated that thymol has the ability to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus by its interaction with human cells and by working against the cell walls of bacteria.

Hibiscusis rich in vitamin C, minerals, and various antioxidants, while also helping in the treatment of hypertension and anxiety. Good for digestion, is anti-inflammatory, diuretic, supports the immune system, lowers high blood pressure, anti-tumor, treating & supporting the liver, is antidepressant, and it tastes like cranberry juice!

AlfalfaIt is a Nature’s multivitamin and we add it to every tea, as a vitamin/mineral supplement.Extremely rich source of Beta-Carotene, Minerals, Trace elements, and vitamins A, B-1, B-6, B-12, C, D, E, K, Biotin, Folic Acid, Niacin and Pantothenic Acid. Minerals are Calcium, copper, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.antifungal agent, anti-inflammatory. It’s good for detoxing the liver and even heavy metals. “alfalfa has an ability to induce activity in a complex cellular system to inactivate dietary chemical carcinogens in the liver and small intestine and remove them before they have a chance to cause harm to the body.” It grows here too, in and out of my garden.

Horsetaildiuretic, a source of silica, folate, potassium, calcium.. good for kidneys and bones.

Goldenrodthis is a very impressing herb! antihistamine, anti-fungal, diuretic, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, astringent, antiseptic, and carminative.As an expectorant, goldenrod can expel mucous easily from the lungs. Good for kidneys and heart. It grows wild in abundance around us. Traditionally used for whooping cough, kidney stones, dysenteria, UT infections, tumors, gout…

NOTE:you can add Thyme in there because thyme is one of the best herbs that affect the WHOLE respiratory system. But we have fresh and frozen thyme and we use it a lot! plus its an Ingredient inour most favorite spice HERBAL GOMASIO –BUY it HERE.

If it is starting to simmer or simmering, lower to the lowest “simmer” your stove can go, so that it will not boil and put the lid on.

Set your timer to 15 min.

See the color? Too light. And if you look at the rosehips floating on top, they still look dry – when they fully reconstituted – they sink down to the bottom… so, to me, it looks like it’s not yet done… so I left it on the lowest simmer for a bit longer.

NOTE 1: you only need to simmer this longer if you are planning on using it right away. If you can leave the mixture on warm overnight after its done, you can just add your soft herbs at this moment – rich simmering stage, set aside, cover and cool. In the morning you will strain it, add honey (optional) and drink/store in the fridge.

NOTE 2: If you make a large pot, it is better not to add honey to the whole thing. I strain it into another pot and when we need it, I will just pop it on the stove, warm up a bit, then pour in cups and then(!) add honey.

Honey is natural cough suppressant and helps to coat the throat and clear congestion. (Do not give honey to children under the age of one)

Set aside to awarm spot, cover with a thick towel and let it cool down slowly.

When the herbs are like mine – not crashed or ground – they have less surface area and it takes a bit longer to leach out the medicinals into the water.

I think the longer herbs are sitting on the warm, the stronger the herbal tea/decoction becomes. But not too long, because water extractions have short “shelf life” – 4-10 hours of infusing is optimal. Most times I start making this in the evening, and after I add my soft herbs, I leave it covered on the lowest setting on my warming zone overnight. (this is one of the reasons I like an electric stove better than a gas one)

After you covered it and it cooled down enough so it is warm to the touch you can either:

• strain it all, add your preferred sweetener ( I always prefer honey, so that’s why I wait till it’s warm to strain because you can’t add honey to a hot tea – it’ll destroy the enzymes) and put in the fridge.

• or you can strain some in a cup, add sweetener and the rest leave in your pot with the herbs in and put it in the fridge. Then when the kids need more, just pull out the pot, warm up a bit, strain more out for them and so on…

Remember that each person becomes whole and healed in their own unique way, at their own speed. People, plants, and animals can help in this process. But it is the body/spirit that does the healing"

- Susan Weed