Ginger lemon tea

This soothing tea features pungent ginger to reduce throat inflammation, calm nausea, expel mucus,

and boost circulation. The lemon adds a boost of vitamin C and the raw honey is full of minerals and

anti-microbial agents.

To use: This tea can be sipped on a regular basis, but it’s especially helpful for sore throats, nausea,

and upper respiratory infections.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger root

• ½ lemon, juiced

• 1 Tbsp raw honey

• 2 cups filtered water

Directions:

1. In a small lidded saucepan combine the ginger and water and simmer gently for 15 minutes.

2. Strain the ginger out. Stir in lemon juice and raw honey, adjusting to taste

3. Sip as needed to soothe the throat or reduce nausea.

Licorice root tea

Licorice is a sweet herb that supports the adrenal glands to help the body cope with everyday stressors.

It’s also anti-bacterial, anti-viral, helps modulate the immune system, and expel mucus. It’s used for

upper respiratory infections, adrenal fatigue, allergies, liver disorders and deficient immune systems.

Safety info: Do not use licorice if you have high blood pressure, heart failure or are taking

conventional drugs without first consulting with a qualified health practitioner.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp licorice root

• 2 cups filtered water

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan with a lid, combine the licorice and water. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat

down and simmer gently for 20 minutes with the lid on.

2. After the mixture has decocted for 20 minutes, allow it to rest off of the heat for another 10

minutes. Strain and drink as needed.

3. This recipe makes 1 serving, but it can easily be doubled, tripled or more if needed.

Olive leaf and peppermint tea

Olive leaf was my secret throughout high school and college for keeping a cold at bay. At the first sign of

a sore throat I’d take olive leaf extract capsules and within 4 hours, all my symptoms were gone! You

can harness the powerful anti-viral and anti-bacterial benefits of the herb in this tea.

Peppermint improves the flavor, and works as an activator, or catalyst herb, to boost the function of the

olive leaf. Peppermint is also useful for cleansing and protecting the liver and relieving nausea, gas, and

other digestive issues.

To use: At the first sign of illness or a sore throat, I like to sip a cup of this tea every 2 hours. It can also

be used once sickness has set in to speed healing time. Some people with acid reflux find peppermint

worsen the condition so avoid if that’s you.

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp peppermint leaf

• ¼ cup olive leaf

• 1 quart filtered water

Directions:

1. Heat the water to boiling in a small saucepan, then remove from the heat. Add the herbs to the

freshly boiled water and place the lid on the pan.

2. Let the herbs steep for 10 minutes, then strain and drink as needed throughout the day.

Cinnamon and clove sore throat tea

This deliciously fragrant tea uses clove to numb painful sore throats. Cinnamon and clove are both

potent anti-microbials that help knock out a wide variety of invading viruses, fungus, and bacteria. Not

only do these herbs soothe, but they help warm the body when the chill of the flu is present.

To use: Sip this tea to soothe and numb a sore throat. Can also be used as a general tonic for a cold, flu

or other infection.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 cinnamon sticks

• 6 clove buds

• 2 tsp rooibos tea

• 1 tsp raw honey, or to taste

• 3 cups filtered water

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan add the cinnamon and cloves and bring to a boil with the lid on. Reduce

heat and gently simmer the herbs for 20 minutes.

2. Remove from the heat, add the rooibos and steep for another 5 minutes.

3. Strain the herbs out and drink as needed. The cinnamon stick can be rinsed off, laid out to dry,

and then re-used in your next recipe.

Breathe clear chest rub

This simple salve recipe uses eucalyptus and peppermint to help open airways and promote clear

breathing. This salve isn’t safe for very young children because of the peppermint, so keep it for those

over the age of 4.

To use: Rub a small amount on the chest to help promote clear breathing for those over age 4.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup coconut oil

• ½ ounce beeswax (1 Tbsp)

• 34 drops peppermint essential oil (1% dilution)

• 70 drops eucalyptus essential oil (2% dilution)

Directions:

1. In a heat safe glass bowl combine the coconut oil and beeswax. Perch this glass bowl on top of a

saucepan filled halfway with boiling water. Heat and stir with a metal spoon just until melted.

2. Turn off the heat and add the essential oils.

3. Immediately pour the salve into a metal tin or glass jar and cap to prevent the volatile oils from

evaporating.

Fire cider Water

This potent blend is packed with circulation boosting, immune boosting, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral

components. You can control the level of spiciness by adjusting the cayenne pepper used in this recipe,

but keep in mind that the spiciness is what gets your blood moving for improved healing.

There are plenty of versions of fire cider out there, but this one is what my family uses regularly

throughout the winter months with much success. It’s my go-to since it’s quick, easy, and doesn’t need

to brew for weeks before use.

To use: Sip liberally at the first sign of sickness and throughout a cold or flu. I like to drink 1-2 quarts

throughout the day if I’m feeling under the weather.

Ingredients:

• 1 inch piece of ginger root, cut into thin slices

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• ½ tsp cayenne pepper

• 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 3 Tbsp raw honey, or to taste

• 1 lemon

Directions:

1. Juice the lemon into a quart size mason jar, then throw the lemon halves in. Add the rest of the

ingredients to the jar and stir or shake well to combine.

2. Fill the jar to the top with filtered water and let the mixture steep for at least an hour before

drinking.

Easiest soothing throat syrup

I whipped some of this up out of desperation when I was too exhausted from a round of the flu to spend

time making an herbal syrup. It’s so delicious, you may have a hard time not eating it by the spoonful!

Since this recipe uses essential oils though, try to stick to the recommended dosages.

To use: To soothe the throat and calm coughing, adults take 1 tsp as needed, about 4 times a day. For

children over the age of 1, omit the essential oils and use ½ tsp of raw honey as needed. For children

over the age of 5, use sweet orange essential oil instead of ginger as noted in the ingredients.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup raw honey (the really thick kind works best for this)

• 24 drop lemon essential oil (12 drops if for children over the age of 5)

• 12 drops ginger essential oil (or 6 drops sweet orange if for children over age 5)

Directions:

1. In a small glass jar stir together all of the ingredients.

2. This recipe yields 24 servings

Fruity echinacea gelatin

In can be hard to get kids (and some adults!) to take herbal remedies. These tasty immune boosting tart

squares are the perfect way to enjoy herbs during cold and flu season.

To use: Two squares gives 1 adult dose of echinacea and you can have up to 8 squares a day, children

can have 1 square, for a total of 4 a day.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup lemon juice

• 1/3 cup raw honey

• 2 and ½ cups filtered water

• ¼ cup grassfed gelatin

• 2 and ½ Tbsp echinacea

• 1 Tbsp hibiscus

• 2 Tbsp rose hips

Directions:

1. Heat 2 cups of filtered water in a saucepan to boiling. Turn the heat off, add the herbs, cover

with a lid and let steep for 10 minutes.

2. Strain the herbs then add the tea back to a clean saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over top and let

it to dissolve for 4 minutes.

3. Whisk in the lemon juice and raw honey until smooth. You may need to gently heat the mixture

while slowly whisking to combine.

4. Pour the gelatin into an 8x8 square pan and chill until firm. Cut into 16 even squares.

Immune boost adaptogen tincture

Astragalus is one of my favorite adaptogens. It helps the body cope with everyday stressors and is

helpful for boosting immune system function. It’s anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and supports and

protects the kidneys and liver.

To use: 30-60 drops can be mixed in water or juice 1-4 times daily for an immune boost.

Ingredients:

• 7 Tbsp astragalus root, finely chopped.

• 2 cups vodka or apple cider vinegar (vodka will yield a more effective product)

Directions:

1. In a glass jar combine the astragalus and vodka or vinegar. Cap tightly and shake well to

combine. The astragalus can be finely chopped with a sharp knife or put through a food

processor or coffee grinder.

2. Let the blend sit in a dark, cool place for 4-6 weeks, shaking daily.

3. Strain the herb out with a piece of cheesecloth and pour into dark colored tincture bottles. Label

and use as needed.

Ear infection oil

Garlic offers a wide spectrum of anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal benefits. Since many ear

infections are viral, anti-biotic prescription drugs can actually make the problem much worse, leading to

recurrent infections or even tubes in the ears. Mullein is commonly used to soothe painful ear

infections.

To use: Lay the affected person on their side, and place 1-2 drops of the oil into the ear drum. Massage

the area of the neck under the ear lobe with downward strokes to move the oil through. After about 5

minutes, have them lay on the other side and repeat. Since ear infections often spread to both ears, it’s

best to treat both, even if there are only symptoms in one ear.

Ingredients:

• 1 clove of garlic, smashed

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp mullein leaf

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a heat safe glass bowl. Place the bowl on top of a saucepan half-full of

boiling water.

2. Infuse the herbs in the oil for 30 minutes to 1 hour, refilling the saucepan with water as needed.

3. Carefully strain the herbs out with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Strain the mixture again

through a coffee filer, gently squeezing it through. Make sure all of the plant matter is out of the

oil before putting it in the ears.

Achy stuffy bath blend

Nobody likes that unpleasant, achy all over feeling that can come along with sickness. A bath is the

perfect way to relax sore muscles and adding the right botanicals amplifies the effects. Epsom salts

provide muscles with relaxing and nourishing magnesium, while lavender calms and soothes, and

eucalyptus opens airways and soothes achy muscles. The lemon supports detoxification.

To use: Dump 1 cup of this blend into warm bath water. Relax and soak for at least 20-30 minutes for

best results.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Epsom salts

• 1 Tbsp sweet almond oil

• 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil

• 5 drops lavender essential oil

• 5 drops lemon essential oil

Directions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients into a large glass jar and shake well to combine. A quart sized

mason jar works well for this.

Detox bath blend

This bath blend is great to use on a regular basis to support the body’s detox process, but it also helps

kick a cold. The hydrogen peroxide helps oxygenate the body, ginger raises body temperature to sweat

out toxins. Research has shown baking soda is antifungal and raises pH levels.

To use: Soak for 30 minutes. Recipe yields enough for 1 bath.

Ingredients:

• 2 inch piece of ginger root, grated (you can also use 2 Tbsp dried and powdered ginger)

• 2 cups hydrogen peroxide

• ½ cup baking soda

• 5 drops wild orange or lemon essential oil

Directions:

1. Use a fork to mash the essential oils into the baking soda to combine.

2. Dump all of the ingredients into warm, running water.

Ingredients and resources

Starwest botanicals

I’ve always been impressed by the quality and wide variety at Starwest. They have tons of herbs,

essential oils, and natural remedy making tools. Click on the affiliate links below to go to my favorite

sections of their store.

• Herbs and spices

• Organic essential oils

• Herbal teas

• Accessories (jars, tins, cheesecloth, and other materials for making herbal remedies)

• Books and reference materials

Amazon

I usually don’t buy my herbs from Amazon since it can be hit or miss on quality, but I do buy organic and

unrefined coconut oil in bulk from them. You can also find containers for your herbal creations on here.

They’re usually more economical if you’re buying a dozen at a time though.

Find my favorite organic, non-gmo, unrefined and affordable coconut oil here.

Herb education

If you want more herbal remedies and essential oil recipes, then check out the recipes on my site The

Herbal Spoon.

What’s my favorite place for herbal education? I highly recommend the courses over at the Herbal

Academy of New England!

• These courses are evidence based and combine traditional herbal wisdom passed down through

the centuries with current scientific research.

• They focus on remedies that are both safe and effective! Unfortunately, there’s a lot of

misinformation out there, so I like learning from highly qualified educators.

• You’ll learn from registered Clinical herbalists, medical doctors, PhD’s and more.

• The courses are beautiful, affordable, thorough, and offer a wide variety from beginning classes

to advanced courses for herbal practitioners.

Check out the courses at Herbal Academy of New England here.

About me

I’m an herbalist, a lover of essential oils, and take way

too many herbal courses. You'll usually find me

barefoot, reading medical journals, and sipping herbal

tea.

I write about natural health and wellness at my site The

Herbal Spoon and am a regular contributor for some of

the largest natural health websites.

I’ve taken a variety of herb and essential oil classes

from Vintage Remedies (now the Franklin Institute of

Wellness) and am in Aviva Romm’s Herbal Medicine for

Women program.

Read more about me here, or check out my shop This &

That Herbal for organic and all natural plant based bodycare items for the whole family.