Making Teas for Daily Health and Prevention
Daily Prevention:
One of the best things we can do to protect ourselves during these times is adding daily healing practices into lives. Herbal teas are easy to make and inexpensive while, at the same time, very medicinal and safe. *Of course always check with your doctor if you’re pregnant or have other health concerns before trying any new herb.
As I’ve been formulating herbal recommendations during the Covid-19 pandemic I’ve been getting lots of questions about what herbs to use and many herbs are hard to find because they have been bought out at most of the major herb companies.
The suggestions below include herbs that you might have in your cupboard as well as others that, if you’re lucky enough, you can find at a local herb or health food store.
You can mix and match them to your taste and your own constitution. The only one that has to be made alone is mallow root.
*I have starred the herbs that have become hard to find because everyone is buying herbs right now. If you can’t find them online or at your local herbs shop you might ask around to local herbalists and medicinal gardeners if they have some. Also perhaps your local Mutual Aid Network might know.
Using Teas for Health
Below is a list of various herbs and why you might choose one or the other to drink as a daily brew. I suggest a cup of tea at least 2x per day, 1x is fine if that’s all you can do, and if you’re like me, you might want to be drinking tea all day.
I do reuse my tea for 2-3 cups at a time during the same day. I don’t keep it overnight but I’ll keep pouring hot water over the same herbs at least for the morning.
To make a simple tea use 1-3 teaspoons of whatever herb or herbs you choose, put them in a tea strainer, pour boiling water over them, and steep for 10-15 minutes. This is good for MOST herbs. I have specified different methods of brewing for Mallow root and White Pine.
To keep mucus membranes healthy:
One of our frontline methods of defense against respiratory infections is our mucous membrane. It’s important that they are at a balanced degree of moisture as this provides a barrier between our cells and the outside world.
Mallow root* (Althea officinalis): A member of the Malvaceae family, other relatives include several Malva species considered a panacea in Italian folk medicine. Mallow is moistening and demulcent to the tissues and mucous membranes.
Making Mallow root tea is different from other teas. We make a “cold infusion.” To do this take 1 teaspoon of mallow root and place in a pint canning jar or anything that you have. Pour cold water over it. Let it steep for ½ hour, shaking occasionally, strain and sip.
Honey: add honey to teas to soothe and moisten mucous membranes. Honey is also antimicrobial.
2. Make Tea From Mint Family Herbs
Plants from the mint family support the flow of fluids and heat from the core to the periphery of the body and tone the pores of the skin so they can release excess heat and keep in the right amount of heat. These types of herbs are often called “diaphoretics” which means they promote sweating.
We don’t want to promote excessive sweating so a gentle tea is just enough at 1-2 Cups a day.
Example of possible Mint family herbs:
Peppermint
Lemon Balm
Sweet Basil
3. Other helpful herbs to add to tea:
Sage (Salvia officials): regulates heat and fluids
Elderflower(Sambucus canadensis)*: supports immune system and anti-viral as well as diaphoretic
Calendula (Calendula Officinalis)*: supports the flow of lymph which is another important part of keeping fluids moving in the body
Lemon Balm(Melissa officinalis)-mint family, cooling for fevers, anti-viral
4. Add warming herbs especially on a cold/damp day as we have in the Northeast during Spring:
Add a sprinkle of cinnamon
Grate or chop up about ½ teaspoon of fresh ginger or ¼ teaspoon of Ginger powder
5. Herbs for Lung Support
Mullein leaf (Verbascum thapsus)- add 1 teaspoon to tea blend or use alone. Mullein can be irritating to some folks. It doesn’t bother me but I’ve had people say it does. If you’re not sure you can strain your tea through a piece a cheesecloth.
Thyme- expectorant and mint family plant
White Pine Needles (also high in Vitamin C): expectorant and lung support. White Pine Needle tea requires a longer steeping time. Here is video on the process I use:
6. Nutrition and Immune Support
Nettles (Urtica diocia): high in minerals and vitamins and supports healthy production of hemoglobin because it has a high iron content. Hemoglobin carries oxygen throughout the body.
Milky Oats (Avena sativa): highly nourishing and tonic to the nervous system.
There are many other herbs that could be helpful and that are being recommended for use during this time. I just thought I’d share the few that I’m using personally and that are perhaps/hopefully most accessible.
Be Well,
Lisa
***Image by Scott Ferguson