Colds and Flus Preparation
Dealing with the Common Colds and Flu
Sleep and Bedrest. The body repairs itself when it sleeps.
Prevention or First signs of illness
Echinacea Tincture
Garlic & Honey: see recipe below
Elderberry Tincture or Syrup
Elderberry Syrup Recipe: 3 Tablespoons dried Elderberries, 3 cups cold water, ¼-1/2 Honey, Place in pan. Cover and simmer for 20 mins. Remove cover. Reduce liquid in half by steaming not simmering the liquid. Important to watch pan. Strain out berries and refrigerate. 1-2 Tablespoons daily
Licorice Tincture: Use topically on cold sores asap. See below Herbs for Cold & Flu
Onset of illness
Garlic/Honey Recipe: Finely chop up 3-5 garlic cloves. Mix with ¼ cup of honey. I triple this recipe.
Dosage: 1 teaspoon daily a day or more. Take with food as it is strong for the stomach. Put on crackers or bread. I mix up a jar filled with garlic and honey and keep it in the refrigerator.
Hot Lemonade with Cayenne: 1 cup of hot water,2-3 tablespoons of juice from a Lemon,1 teaspoon of Honey, 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne. Combine and sip slowly.
Apple Cider Vinegar with Honey 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 Tablespoon of Honey, 1 cup of Hot Water, Combine and sip slowly. Helpful for sore throats and to restore the body’s acid alkaline balance.
Warm mist Humidifier: I feel this is one of the most important things to do especially when dealing with a respiratory imbalance .Buy one for the children’s bedroom and one for the parent’s bedroom. Use Lavender, Rosemary or Eucalyptus Essential Oils in the medicine cup on the humidifier. I put several drops combined with water. Clean them after use. They breakdown and are dishwasher safe.
Sinus Steam for Adirondack Herbals: Put 1 teaspoon of herbal mixture in a glass bowl. Pour boiling water in bowl. Using a large towel, cover your head and the bowl of steaming herbs. Breathe in the steam, using common sense; if too hot lift the towel. Breathe in for 10 minutes. My most popular herbal formula.
Herbal Bath
1/4 cup of Herbs such as Yarrow, Elder Flower, Boneset, Catnip, Roses, Lavender
Place in large pot of cold water. Cover. Bring to a boil. Set off heat and let sit for at least 30 minutes.Strain out herbs and place into a hot bath. Soak in tub for 15 minutes or more. If using diaphoretic herbs, cover up with blankets and stay warm for a least an hour after bath.
Adirondack Herbals Cold Capsules: Take 1-2 capsules three times daily. Particularly useful in the beginning stages of a cold.
Adirondack Herbals Throat Decoction: 2-3 cups daily. For sore throat and throat problems
Adirondack Herbals Throat/Chest Decoction 2-3 cups daily. Extremely useful for helping all the symptoms associated with a cold.
Adirondack Herbals Traditional Gypsy Remedy: 2-3 cups daily, Ancient formula for the flu, it works.
Nausea: Chamomile, Peppermint, Ginger, Fennel infusion and decoctions, 2-3 cups daily
Herbs for Cold & Flu
Boneset: History of easing the bone ache of the flu, bitter taste, needs to be combined with other herbs. It is in the Gypsy Remedy.
Chamomile: gentle but strong for both nervous and digestive system. Good for Children.
Catnip: single best herb for children’s imbalances, particular the flu.
Horehound: relieves cough symptoms.
Licorice: soothing for all mucous imbalances, coughs, sore throat,sweet taste. The tincture is specific for the relief of cold sores. Apply throughout the day.
Marshmallow Root: My favorite soothing herb for the lungs, digestive problems, sore throat.
Pau d’arco: anti bacterial, anti viral, anti fungal, history of use in S. America
Peppermint: clears respiratory tract, settles stomach
Osha: endangered herb that corrects throat imbalances.
Sage: history use for sore throats, use as a gargle
Yarrow: history of correcting flu and cold symptoms
Wild Cherry Bark: anti tussive, suppresses the cough reflex, helps sleep
Herbal Preparation
Infusion: Preparation for leaves and flowers. Place herb or herb mixture in heat proof jar. Pour boiling water over herbs. COVER. Steep for 15 mins. to several hours. Strain out herbs and drink 1-3 cups a day. For medicinal teas make a new batch everyday. For nutritional teas it is easier to make a quart at a time, refrigerate the remainder. It keeps for several days. Heat as desired. Standard amount: 1 Teaspoon herbs to 8 oz. water. Tonic herbs: ¼ cup herbs to 1 quart of water.
Decoction: Preparation for roots and barks. Place herb or herb mixture into pot along with cold water. Cover. Heat to boiling, and then simmer for 20 mins. Strain out plant material. Use as directed. Standard dosage: 1 teaspoon to 8 oz. water. 1 tablespoon to 3 cups water. It is easier to make several cups at a time. Roots can be reused, just use ½ the amount of water. Refrigerate remainder.
Syrup: Make a decoction. Reduce liquid by half by uncovering the pan and leave on the heat, steaming away the water. Watch pan. Measure tea by pouring it into a heat proof measuring cup. Strain out plant material. Add sweetener. Standard dose is 1 part sweetener to 1 part herb mixture. I use 1 part sweetener to 2 part herb mixture. Refrigerate syrups. Use 1-2 tablespoon a day.
Herbal Bath: Put ¼ cup of herb mixture in a large pan of water. Cover. Bring to boil. Shut off heat and let steep for 30 mins. Strain out plants. Add to a hot bath. Soak in herbal bath for at least 30 minutes.
Foot Bath: Same method as above only use 1 tablespoon to 4 cups of water. This is a very easy and effective remedy as the skin will absorb the medicinal qualities of the herbs. It is the way to go if getting in a bath tub does not appeal to you.
Extract or Tinctures: a medicinal preparation made by steeping herbs in a combination of alcohol and water. Some plant constituents that are only alcohol soluble. The alcohol is a strong preservative so the extracts have a long shelf life. Extracts are easy to take. They come in 1 oz. brown glass jars equipped with a glass dropper. Standard dose: ¼ teaspoon 3 times daily. If desired the extract can be put into a small amount of very hot water for 10 minutes to dissipate the alcohol.
Capsules: Ground herbs or herb mixture in a gelatin capsule. In sizes O and OO. Dosages 1-2 capsules two or three times a day.
Steam: Place herb mixture in large bowl, pour boiling water over mixture. Using a large bath towel, make a tent with head, towel and bowl of steaming herbs. Breathe in steam; keeping in mind it is very hot. Open the towel if too hot. Breathe in for 5-10 mins. Let the steam cleanse sinuses. Can reheat mixture during the day. Use at least twice a day.
Smoothie: Place powder herbal mixtures into 1 cup of juice. Blend and drink. Nettles, Alfalfa, Kelp, Spirulina, Nutritional Yeast, Yogurt, and Fruit Syrups are good additions to an herbal smoothie.
Herbal Oil: Oils take have been infused with the medicinal qualities of herbs.
Salve: Herbal Oils with beeswax added to make preparation thicker.
Essential Oils: A steam distillation process that extracts plant substances called volatile oils. These oils are very powerful and need to be combined with stable oils (olive, almond etc.) in order to be used. In this country they are used externally to help many conditions. In Europe, where Aromatherapy began, they are sometimes used internally as well as externally. Tea Tree Oil and Lavender oil are among the more popular essential oils.
Dealing with the Common Colds and Flu
Sleep and Bedrest. The body repairs itself when it sleeps.
Prevention or First signs of illness
Echinacea Tincture
Garlic & Honey: see recipe below
Elderberry Tincture or Syrup
Elderberry Syrup Recipe: 3 Tablespoons dried Elderberries, 3 cups cold water, ¼-1/2 Honey, Place in pan. Cover and simmer for 20 mins. Remove cover. Reduce liquid in half by steaming not simmering the liquid. Important to watch pan. Strain out berries and refrigerate. 1-2 Tablespoons daily
Licorice Tincture: Use topically on cold sores asap. See below Herbs for Cold & Flu
Onset of illness
Garlic/Honey Recipe: Finely chop up 3-5 garlic cloves. Mix with ¼ cup of honey. I triple this recipe.
Dosage: 1 teaspoon daily a day or more. Take with food as it is strong for the stomach. Put on crackers or bread. I mix up a jar filled with garlic and honey and keep it in the refrigerator.
Hot Lemonade with Cayenne: 1 cup of hot water,2-3 tablespoons of juice from a Lemon,1 teaspoon of Honey, 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne. Combine and sip slowly.
Apple Cider Vinegar with Honey 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 Tablespoon of Honey, 1 cup of Hot Water, Combine and sip slowly. Helpful for sore throats and to restore the body’s acid alkaline balance.
Warm mist Humidifier: I feel this is one of the most important things to do especially when dealing with a respiratory imbalance .Buy one for the children’s bedroom and one for the parent’s bedroom. Use Lavender, Rosemary or Eucalyptus Essential Oils in the medicine cup on the humidifier. I put several drops combined with water. Clean them after use. They breakdown and are dishwasher safe.
Sinus Steam for Adirondack Herbals: Put 1 teaspoon of herbal mixture in a glass bowl. Pour boiling water in bowl. Using a large towel, cover your head and the bowl of steaming herbs. Breathe in the steam, using common sense; if too hot lift the towel. Breathe in for 10 minutes. My most popular herbal formula.
Herbal Bath
1/4 cup of Herbs such as Yarrow, Elder Flower, Boneset, Catnip, Roses, Lavender
Place in large pot of cold water. Cover. Bring to a boil. Set off heat and let sit for at least 30 minutes.Strain out herbs and place into a hot bath. Soak in tub for 15 minutes or more. If using diaphoretic herbs, cover up with blankets and stay warm for a least an hour after bath.
Adirondack Herbals Cold Capsules: Take 1-2 capsules three times daily. Particularly useful in the beginning stages of a cold.
Adirondack Herbals Throat Decoction: 2-3 cups daily. For sore throat and throat problems
Adirondack Herbals Throat/Chest Decoction 2-3 cups daily. Extremely useful for helping all the symptoms associated with a cold.
Adirondack Herbals Traditional Gypsy Remedy: 2-3 cups daily, Ancient formula for the flu, it works.
Nausea: Chamomile, Peppermint, Ginger, Fennel infusion and decoctions, 2-3 cups daily
Herbs for Cold & Flu
Boneset: History of easing the bone ache of the flu, bitter taste, needs to be combined with other herbs. It is in the Gypsy Remedy.
Chamomile: gentle but strong for both nervous and digestive system. Good for Children.
Catnip: single best herb for children’s imbalances, particular the flu.
Horehound: relieves cough symptoms.
Licorice: soothing for all mucous imbalances, coughs, sore throat,sweet taste. The tincture is specific for the relief of cold sores. Apply throughout the day.
Marshmallow Root: My favorite soothing herb for the lungs, digestive problems, sore throat.
Pau d’arco: anti bacterial, anti viral, anti fungal, history of use in S. America
Peppermint: clears respiratory tract, settles stomach
Osha: endangered herb that corrects throat imbalances.
Sage: history use for sore throats, use as a gargle
Yarrow: history of correcting flu and cold symptoms
Wild Cherry Bark: anti tussive, suppresses the cough reflex, helps sleep
Herbal Preparation
Infusion: Preparation for leaves and flowers. Place herb or herb mixture in heat proof jar. Pour boiling water over herbs. COVER. Steep for 15 mins. to several hours. Strain out herbs and drink 1-3 cups a day. For medicinal teas make a new batch everyday. For nutritional teas it is easier to make a quart at a time, refrigerate the remainder. It keeps for several days. Heat as desired. Standard amount: 1 Teaspoon herbs to 8 oz. water. Tonic herbs: ¼ cup herbs to 1 quart of water.
Decoction: Preparation for roots and barks. Place herb or herb mixture into pot along with cold water. Cover. Heat to boiling, and then simmer for 20 mins. Strain out plant material. Use as directed. Standard dosage: 1 teaspoon to 8 oz. water. 1 tablespoon to 3 cups water. It is easier to make several cups at a time. Roots can be reused, just use ½ the amount of water. Refrigerate remainder.
Syrup: Make a decoction. Reduce liquid by half by uncovering the pan and leave on the heat, steaming away the water. Watch pan. Measure tea by pouring it into a heat proof measuring cup. Strain out plant material. Add sweetener. Standard dose is 1 part sweetener to 1 part herb mixture. I use 1 part sweetener to 2 part herb mixture. Refrigerate syrups. Use 1-2 tablespoon a day.
Herbal Bath: Put ¼ cup of herb mixture in a large pan of water. Cover. Bring to boil. Shut off heat and let steep for 30 mins. Strain out plants. Add to a hot bath. Soak in herbal bath for at least 30 minutes.
Foot Bath: Same method as above only use 1 tablespoon to 4 cups of water. This is a very easy and effective remedy as the skin will absorb the medicinal qualities of the herbs. It is the way to go if getting in a bath tub does not appeal to you.
Extract or Tinctures: a medicinal preparation made by steeping herbs in a combination of alcohol and water. Some plant constituents that are only alcohol soluble. The alcohol is a strong preservative so the extracts have a long shelf life. Extracts are easy to take. They come in 1 oz. brown glass jars equipped with a glass dropper. Standard dose: ¼ teaspoon 3 times daily. If desired the extract can be put into a small amount of very hot water for 10 minutes to dissipate the alcohol.
Capsules: Ground herbs or herb mixture in a gelatin capsule. In sizes O and OO. Dosages 1-2 capsules two or three times a day.
Steam: Place herb mixture in large bowl, pour boiling water over mixture. Using a large bath towel, make a tent with head, towel and bowl of steaming herbs. Breathe in steam; keeping in mind it is very hot. Open the towel if too hot. Breathe in for 5-10 mins. Let the steam cleanse sinuses. Can reheat mixture during the day. Use at least twice a day.
Smoothie: Place powder herbal mixtures into 1 cup of juice. Blend and drink. Nettles, Alfalfa, Kelp, Spirulina, Nutritional Yeast, Yogurt, and Fruit Syrups are good additions to an herbal smoothie.
Herbal Oil: Oils take have been infused with the medicinal qualities of herbs.
Salve: Herbal Oils with beeswax added to make preparation thicker.
Essential Oils: A steam distillation process that extracts plant substances called volatile oils. These oils are very powerful and need to be combined with stable oils (olive, almond etc.) in order to be used. In this country they are used externally to help many conditions. In Europe, where Aromatherapy began, they are sometimes used internally as well as externally. Tea Tree Oil and Lavender oil are among the more popular essential oils.