Lung Support
The best thing you can do during times of high risk viral or bacterial outbreaks is to make your health a priority. Using herbs as preventative care is like a secret weapon. You will not get this information from most western medical doctors! And you will be paying less in the long run by thinking ahead and preventing illness through plants, diet, and emotional wellness. Take your health back into your own hands! Start now with my most favorite thing on the planet- plants.
Plants have been healing us long before the pharmaceutical industry ever existed. Here is a short list of some of the most powerful herbs that can truly ward off and strengthen our respiratory system and boost our immune system. Best practice is to use these in tandem with: getting 8+ hours of sleep every night, practicing good metal/emotional wellness, getting 80 minutes of cardio every week and of course, lay off the sugar and processed foods. Drink water, and eat a diet high in vegetables, grains, legumes, some fruit/nuts/seeds, and eat only small doses of meat, dairy and breads.
There is no cure for the coronavirus, common cold viruses, or flu strains. Prevention is key!
ELCAMPANE ROOT (Inula Helenium)
Parts Used: root
Action: Expectorant, Stimulant, Relaxant, Astringent & Tonic.
This is specifically great for wet, mucus type infections. A great sunflower like plant, it is easily grown in any garden. Considered to be of one of the best herbs for coughs, bronchitis, and chronic lung ailments. It is strengthening, cleansing, and toning to the pulmonary membranes. (from Rosemary Gladstar)
ECHINACEA (Echinacea Augustifolia & Purpurea)
Parts Used: Entire plant with root being the strongest part
Action: Alterative, Antiseptic, Stimulant, Tonic, Diaphoretic
Such a powerful anti-inflammatory. It has antibacterial, cleansing, and detoxifying effects. Use whenever bronchial inflammation, strep throat, or chronic or acute bacterial and viral infections are apparent. This is a mild herb and should be taken frequently. This herb is great for chronic or acute infections. The taste is quite bitter and best to use in combination of other herbs.
LICORICE (Glycyrrhiza Glabra)
Parts Used: root
Action: Expectorant, Demulcent, Emollient, Pectoral
Another of the famed respiratory herbs, Licorice’s soothing and expectorant properties make it excellent for treatment of many types of bronchial congestion. It is excellent for sore throats and because of its sweet flavor is used to sweeten many other formulas.
STAR ANISE (Illicium verum)
Parts Used: seed
Action: Expectorant, Carminative, Pectoral, Antiseptic
Star anise, the common culinary herb is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to fight colds, flu and other respiratory infections. It’s main constituent is shikimic acid, which is used in the manufacture of oseltamivir (Tamiflu), a flu treatment. It is helpful for dry coughs.
HOW TO MAKE MEDICINAL TEA
When it comes to herbs, the longer you steep the herbs, the more medicinal it will be! Rule of thumb: If you are using any root, bring the herb/s to a boil over the stove then turn off and let sit for 20 minutes. This is called a decoction.
If you are using stems, flowers or leaves, make an infusion by following the below instructions. If you are using both: Bring the roots to boil first. Then when the heat is turned off add the leaves, flowers, stems and let the whole thing steep for 20 min.
*unlike green, white or black teas. Herbal tea should only be steeped once.
Instructions on a properly steeped tea infusion
Use boiling water and loose herbs if possible. If you're using tea bags- double up!
Combine herbs and boiling water and cover.
let sit for 15-20 minutes.
Add more hot water if needed before you drink if it had cooled off.
Drink one 6oz cup 3-4 times a day
LUNG SUPPORT TEA
2 parts Licorice root
2 parts Elcampane root
2 parts Skullcap leaf
1 part Star anise seed
1 part Echinacea
Local raw honey or Manuka honey
THIEVES OIL BLEND
Thieves oil is a blend of clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary. Its anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial properties make it a truly unique and essential addition to the medicine cabinet. It’s been seen to kill some flu strains, prevent pneumonia and, and we can hope, potentially the new covid-19.
There is much folklore around this famous blend. The story dates back to the 14th century during the bubonic plague, where four thieves were breaking into homes during the plague and none got sick because they dowsed themselves with this blend of herbs in vinegar. It also involves four herbs, so perhaps the four thieves was the story to remember the blend?
Somehow this blend has managed to make its way into this century and is still being used medicinally by herbalists today. There have been many studies done with the essential oils of this combination in recent years. This blend has proven to be effective against both viruses and bacteria in particular, the flu strain: H1N1 virus, S. aureus and S. pneumoniae, as well as an impressive list of bacteria. Studies have also shown it to have less resistance to antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria such as specific strains of staph, strep. and candida*
I decided to make a batch for myself and thought I would offer it to all of you!
While supplies last
Buy Winter Love Thieves Oil
HERE
To diffuse into the air:
Add 10 drops of the pure essential oil to a diffuser. Use all over the house! Place near the bed while sleeping. If you don’t have a diffuser- simmer in a saucepan with the lid off on the stove top in water.
To make into antibacterial hand santizer/ air sanitizer:
Combine 10 drops of the essential oil and isopropyl alcohol to a 1 oz spray bottle. Spray in the air, on your hands, face clothes after you have been in a potential place of infection.
To make antibacterial hand soap:
Combine 5 drops of Winter Love Thieves oil with unscented castille soap (I like this one a lot). Pour into a glass container for home use and/or a squeezable silicone travel container like these to use when your out of the house. I never leave the house without this!!!! Plus it smells soooo much better than public soap dispenser soap.