by Donna Easto, H.C., C.H., Cert. Herbal Educator
First snow, lovely. Unfortunately, it marks the beginning of the cough, cold and flu season. I’d like to share some do-it-yourself recipes from a few of my favourite herbal ladies. They’re all simple to make at home with easy-to-find ingredients:
Rosalee de la Forȇt, Trikatu Pastilles (Use: colds, bloating or gas)
- 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp ginger powder
- 1 tbsp long pepper powder*
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tbsp orange peel or licorice powder (optional)
- Mix the three spices together.
- Drizzle the honey over the spices, 1 tsp at a time (you want to form a thick paste . If needs be, add more honey to achieve consistency for rolling the paste into small balls)
- Using pea-sized amounts of the paste, roll gently into balls and, if desired, coat them with orange peel powder or licorice powder. (to keep them from sticking together) Store in an airtight container. Due to its small size and the presence of honey, not suitable for young children.
- *Can’t find long pepper? Substitute white pepper with a dash of nutmeg, mace or cardamom
Aviva Romm, MD Herbal Antibiotic Alternatives (Use: help prevent & fight infections)
- Elderberry-Echinacea Syrup: combine equal parts of elderberry syrup and echinacea glycerite. Dose: 1 tsp 3x daily for children from 1 to 7,
- 2 tsp 3x daily for children over 7.
- Adults 1-2 tbsp 3x daily for adults. Safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Garlic Lemonade: finely mince two cloves of fresh garlic and place in a 32-ounce mason jar. Fill with boiling water, and cover for 30 minutes. Strain out the garlic and add the juice of 1 lemon to the liquid. Sweeten to taste with honey*, drink warm and offer as much as a child will drink. Do not give to babies under one year.*
Tieraona Low Dog, MD Echinacea Apricot Tincture (helps the body respond more rapidly and efficiently to eliminate harmful viruses and bacteria. Note: Echinacea is a member of the Aster family, and while rare, a reaction can happen in people with an allergy to the daisy family).
- Combine: in a large wide-mouth canning jar.
- 60 grams Echinacea (E.purpurea) dried root ground to a coarse powder
- 300 millilitres brandy (80-100 proof)
- Ten unsulfured dried apricots, sliced
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)*
- Stir well and cover with a lid. If more liquid is needed, add another 60 millilitres of brandy. Shake daily and let sit for 2-4 weeks. Strain and pour into a dark-coloured bottle. Label and store in a dark, cool place.
- Dose: Teens and adults: 1 tsp every 3-4 hours if you think you’re coming down with a cold or sore throat. Continue for the first 48 hours.
- Children 12 and under: ¼ to ½ tsp every 3-4 hours, depending on age.
- *Not suitable for children under one year (use Echinacea glycerite instead)
