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Native Herbs for Cold & Flu Season

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Echinacea (echinacea spp.) Probably one of the most famous “cold & flu herbs”, echinacea does stimulate white blood cell production and can help with any sort of infection. But it truly excels at combating infections of the blood, septicemia, abcesses and poisoning. One of its main traditional Native American uses was to treat snake bites.There are dozesn of species of ehinacea, native to the Great Plains. If you are using Echinacea for help with a viral infection, it’s best to take it upfront at the first signs of illness, and in large doses. Once you’re officially sick, it would be better to try one of the other remedies below.
Osha: (lingusticum porteri). This medicinal root comes is native to the Rocky Mountains, belonging to a tall, feathery herb from the parsley family. Osha is warming, stimulating and strengthening to the adrenal cortex. It is anti-inflammatory (due to its influence over cortisol production), and is useful for adrenal burnout. Its warming, spicy quality promotes digestion, eases gas and helps to break up mucus and congestion in the GI tract. Similarly, it can support expectoration in the lungs and break up sinus congestion.
Elder (sambucus canadensis) Elder is an incredible medicine chest, with all parts of the tree being useful. Sambucus canadensis is the North American species, and it is used interchangeably with the European Sambucus nigra. The flowers and berries are both diaphoretic, opening the pores, and bringing blood to the periphery. The flowers are more decongesting while the berries are more tonic and blood-building. Elder opens all hollow tubes in the body, including the pores, lungs, colon, kidneys and blood vessels, improving blood flow, perspiration and elimination. The berries have been shown to inhibit viral replication, making it a go-to for viral infections such as influenza. Taken regularly, it can both prevent and shorten the duration of the flu.
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Also known as sweet leaf and bee balm, this species of mint resembles European oregano. Like oregano, it is spicy and diffusive. It is a stimulating diaphoretic, supporting the body’s fever response, reducing internal heat by driving it to the surface. It is indicated when someone feels hot, but the skin is cool & clammy. It’s also an excellent remedy for burns when used topically. And internally it can be used to balance candida overgrowths.

**This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease**

chamomile-tea

Chamomile Spice Hot Toddy

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Warming, Immune-Supporting

chamomile-tea

Ingredients:

4-6 oz Chamomile Tea (or just hot water if you don’t have chamomile)

1 oz (2 TBSP) Seven Spice Syrup or Ginger Syrup (see recipe below)

1 TBSP fresh lemon juice (about 1/4 of a lemon)

1-2 oz Whiskey (optional)

If using Ginger Simple Syrup, add 1/4 tsp (about 2 droppersful) Protective Bitters or bitters of your choice. If you are using Tonic’s Seven Spice Cocktail Syrup, the bitters are already included)

Instructions:

  1. Steep the chamomile tea for 5-10 minutes, keeping your vessel covered with a lid or a plate to prevent the volatile oils from escaping. It does get more bitter, the longer you steep it, but bitter is good for you! You are extracting more of the medicinal properties! If using loose chamomile, strain through a fine sieve into a mug. If using tea bags, simply remove the tea bag.
  2. Add ginger syrup, lemon juice, bitters and whiskey to the mug and give a stir. Taste. Adjust to your taste, adding more water, lemon, syrup or whatever to suit your palette.
  3. Wrap up in a warm sweater or blanket and sip slowly, and go to bed early.

Ginger Syrup Recpe

1 oz dried ginger root

16 fl oz water

1/2 cup honey

  1. Add ginger root and water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Once boil is reached, reduce the heat and let simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, until the amount of water has reduced by about half. (Tip: use a chopstick to measure the water level in the pot when you start. Mark it with a pencil. Find the halfway point between that mark and the bottom of the chopstick and mark that with a pencil. When the water level reaches this line, you are ready to strain).
  2. Strain the ginger root through a mesh sieve or cheesecloth, reserving the liquid. You should have about a cup of ginger infusion. Make sure to wring the excess liquid from the roots. I like to use the back of a spoon to press it out through the sieve.
  3. Add 1/2 cup of honey to the infusion and stir to dissolve.
  4. Store the syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months.

 

 

elderberry sparkler

Elderberry Ginger Sparkler

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(Stimulating + Immune-Supportive)

elderberry sparkler

Ingredients:

Tonic’s Elderberry-Ginger Syrup

Tonic Water*

Fresh Lime or Lemon

Protective Bitters

Instructions:

  1. Add 1 fl oz (2 TBSP) Elderberry-Ginger Syrup to a glass with ice
  2. Fill to the top with tonic or seltzer water
  3. Add ¼ tsp of Protective Bitters
  4. Squeeze a wedge of lemon or lime into the glass and give everything a stir
  5. Enjoy!

* Make your own with our DIY Blend, our Tonic Syrup, or use a pre-made high-quality, craft tonic water without high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors