IMMUNITEA

There are many varieties of a good tea for cold season. Most recipes include honey and lemon. I like to include astragalus, ginger, green tea and lemon balm along with my honey and lemon. You can change the make-up of the tea and include warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and a pinch of allspice. Here is my version:
Two Tablespoons of Astragalus
One Tablespoon of Ginger (I like to use fresh slices- but dried can be used)
A few slices of fresh organic lemon peel.
If you want to uses spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and allspice you can add it here- remember to use sparingly -about 1/8 of a teaspoon- a little can go a long way.
One quart of water
Simmer 20 minutes-covered
Turn off the heat and add one tablespoon of Lemon Balm and two or three teabags of green tea - allowing to sit another 20 minutes. If you feel the green tea will be too bitter sitting for 20 minutes you can make it separately allowing it to steep for 2-3 minutes then add it to the rest of the tea. Add honey to taste and if you like it more "lemony" you can add a slice of lemon to your cup. This can keep in the refrigerator for 24 hours, just heat it up before drinking it. Remember that this tea might make you perspire, which is fine when you are really ill. It will soothe your throat and coughs too.

~Original Artwork by Hester~ Available on Cafe.press - Greenfirewoman.

St. Joan's Wort - Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum perforatum is a yellow-flowering perrenial herb that comes fro Europe. It grows wild in many meadows and it's common name is associated with its harvesting on St. John's day, which falls around the Summer Solstice. The genus name Hypericum is derived from the Greek words hyper (above) and eikon (picture), in reference to the traditional use of the plant to ward off evil, by hanging plants over a religious icon in the house during St John's day. The species name perforatum refers to the small oil glands in the leaves that look like holes, which can be seen when they are held against the light.

St John's wort folk names include Tipton's Weed or Klamath weed. It was named after the patron saint of nurses, St. John. Among feminist herbalists St. John's wort is called St. Joan's wort referring to it's ability to make a wonderful sunscreen. The reasoning behind the name is that St. Joan knew more about burning that St. John. This herb is assoicated with helping people with depression but it has so many more uses. It helps with shigles, sciatica, back pain, neuralgia, and headaches including migraines. St. Joan's wort is a very stron anti-viral and I use it when the stomach virus is going around or when I have a viral cold. This herb has long been valued for its expectorant action, clearing phlegm from the chest and speeding recovery from coughs and chest infections. St. Joan's wort is wonderful for treating cold sores and herpes outbreaks.

Used as a salve, this herbs heals burns, cuts, wounds, sores, ulcers and calms inflammation. It has antiviral and antibacterial action which is makes it effective in treating TB, and influenza. Because of these properties St. Joan's is being researched in treating HIV and AIDS.

Elderberry - Sambucus Nigra

Elderberry is known as the poor man's medicine. It is a tree of medicine and folklore. It's leaves are healing for wounds and sprains. The berries can be made in to wine, jam, or a tincture. One can use it in a tea. Elderberry has been documented to be a known cure for the bird flu. In my family we make elderberry tincture from harvested berries from our shrub in the back yard. To me, the tincture tastes very much like port wine. We use it every time the flu or a cold comes along. The flowers can be harvested and made into an infusion to break fevers. When the flowers are in bloom they have a slight anise scent to them. When my friend was undergoing chemo for breast cancer, she would take our homemade elderberry tincture every night to boost her immune system. She too loved the taste and looked forward to taking her medicine in the evening.

The folk lore associated with Elder varies; some tell of a witch that lives in every bush. One tale explains how a person can see the fey when they sit under the tree when the veil is thin during certain times of the year. Several cultures believe the Elder protects a home from being struck by lightening. We are always warned never to take from the Elder without asking. In Denmark, a dryad, Hylde-Moer, the Elder-tree Mother, lives in the tree. The Russians believed Elder would protect them from evil. And of course there is the old rhyme, "Elder be the ladies tree burn it not or cursed you'll be".