THYME
Used for acute and chronic respiratory affections, including coughs and colds. It is also useful for gastrointestinal problems such as gas, indigestion and diarrhea. Finally, a tea taken before retiring is effective against nightmares.
*For coughs* make a syrup of two parts thyme leaves and equal part of elecampane root, wild cherry bark and yerba santa. Take in teaspoon to tablespoon dose as needed.
This is one from my personal vault.....
Ginger Root and Echinacea Tea
Take fresh ginger root, using about a four inch piece. (keep the rest in the refrigerator...ginger root is always a good thing to have around the house!!) Slice thinly, put into aproximately 1 quart of water in a small, covered saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 10-15 minutes (until you can see a deep yellow color and can smell the ginger) Strain into a jar, adding 1-2 droppers full of echinacea tincture. Can use right away, or keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. (if you store it in the refrigerator and want it a bit stronger, go ahead and leave a few ginger pieces in it, and reheat those with the tea) This is also very good for stomach ailments, as well as building up your immune system.
And from "The Way of Herbs" again...
Cinnamon Herb Tea
- Cinnamon-4 grams (warms)
- Ginger-4 grams (warms the stomach)
- Peony Alba-6 grams (helps circulate blood and energy; antispasmodic)
- Jujube-4 grams (warms the spleen/pancreas)
- Licorice-4 grams (harmonizes the herbs in the formula)
And last, but not least; zinc lozenges. I've been hearing a great deal about this, and being that I have asthma, colds are a real problem for me. The last time I started getting the tingle in my throat that always heralds a cold for me, I took not only my Ginger and echinacea tea, but I tried a few zinc lozenges. The combo definitely did the trick. I was better in a day. Could just be me, but it's worth a try. And the zinc lozenges can be found almost anywhere and are relatively inexpensive.