Herbal Medicine for Colds and Chest Infections

*Please remember I am NOT a doctor, these are only recipes/remedies that I use for my family. I had someone ask me for this information, and it is easier to post here. Please make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients, and if it would make you more secure, consult your physician and get their thoughts on any herbal remedies. Please do not try one of these recipes just because I said so.

Echinacea: Key use is for infections whether viral, bacterial, or fungal. It is a good choice for colds, flu and kidney infections. I keep an Echinacea tincture on hand that I purchased at Sun Harvest. Depending on the severity of the illness I will put between 30-60 drops in a small amount of o.j., and take it in a shot glass, or you can you place the drops in a gelatin capsule (purchase at Sun Harvest) and take in capsule form. I'd also suggest purchasing an Echinacea Herbal Tea and drinking that frequently.

Echinacea Decoction is good for a more serious infection, as it is a more vigorous extraction of the herb's active ingredients.

30 grams dried herb (about one handful is what I use or 10 teaspoons to be more accurate)
750 ml water - roughly 6 cups of water (try to use tap water that has set out for 24 hours, or distilled water is good also)

Heat the herb in cold water and simmer slowly for up to 1 hour (a crock pot is good for this). The standard dose is about 1/2 cup to 1 cup three times a day. The standard quantity should be made fresh each day. Drink hot or cold. A little honey can be mixed to help with any bitter taste.

1. Place the herb in an enamel saucepan and add cold water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for up to 1 hour until the volume has been reduced by one third (you should have about 4 cups of liquid left).
2. Strain into a covered pitcher/container or teacup, and store in a cool place.

Echinacea Tincture is made by steeping dried or fresh herb in a 25% mixture of alcohol and water.

200 g of dried herb
1 liter of vodka/water mixture
(75 cl bottle of 37.5% vodka with 37.5 ml water) = roughly 1. 8 or 2 Tablespoons of water

1. Put herb into a large jar and cover with vodka/water mixture. Seal the jar, and store in a cool place for two weeks, shake occasionally.
2. Fit cheesecloth around the rim of a wine press (you can improvise using a large bowl, wear gloves when pressing herb through mixture) and pour the mixture through cheesecloth into a clean, sterilized jar.
3. Press the mixture throughly, and compost the herb, retaining the liquid.
4. Pour the strained liquid into clean, dark glass bottles, using a funnel if necessary.

Goldenseal: this is a good herb to use for many respiratory ailments. Find a good tea or tincture. If you have high blood pressure, you should avoid it.

Chest Cough/Phleghm/Infections or Bronchitis

Thyme and Lungwort Syrup

*This syrup is an expectorant. The process of the cough is to remove irritants from the airways.

The measurements are in the Metric system, so a small scale is very useful

10 grams licorice juice stick
750 ml water
10 grams dried thyme
10 grams dried lungwort leaves
5 grams cowslip flowers
5 grams anise seeds
500 grams honey

1. Put licorice and water in a pan and heat until the licorice dissolves.
2. Mix the herbs and seeds together and pour on the hot licorice juice. Steep for 10 minutes and strain.
3. Return the mixture to the pan and add honey. Heat gently, simmering and stirring constantly until honey is dissolved. Allow it cool, then pour into sterilized bottle and seal. A dark bottle is best, but a mason jar is fine, but store in a dark place.

Dosage: take a 5 ml dose up to 6 times a day while symptoms persist. If persistent or recurrent seek professional help. If the cough lasts for more than a week, try an herbal antibiotic in conjunction with this syrup. If it just won't go away, you may need to see a doctor, as a more serious condition may be present.

Elderberry Extract:

1/2 cup berries to 8 cups of water. Boil berries and simmer to cups of liquid (about 30-45 minutes). Strain off berries and add 1/2 cup honey and store in refrigerator. Use a Tbsp or two at a time to ward off sickness.

Elderberry Tincture:

You can purchase an elderberry tincture over the counter at the local health food store, or make it yourself. Follow the directions for the Echinacea tincture above.

If you choose to use elderberry tincture to combat a cold or flu, you may wish to combine it with other healing herbs useful to boost the immune system. Echinacea and goldenseal, are recommended for infections, particularly upper respiratory infections. Other herbs may be comforting in tea form, such as chamomile, and herbal remedies for bronchitis. Whatever natural remedies you choose, be sure to see your doctor for advice and especially if symptoms persist for several days.

Yarrow Infusion:

10 tsp of yarrow
4 cups of hot water (not boiling, if boiled, let sit for a minute or so)

1. Put the herb in a pot with a close fitting lid, a teapot is ideal. Pour hot water over herb.
2. Leave to infuse for 1o minutes, then strain into a teacup, store rest in a pitcher in a cool place.

Drink 1/2 cup three times a day


For Bronchitis: Here is a link on how to naturally care for Bronchitis. Hope this information helps.

http://herbs.lovetoknow.com/Chronic_Bronchitis_Natural_Cure

Other herbs good for bronchitis:

Elecampane Root (use as a tincture, decoction or syrup); Flowers (decoction or syrup)
White horehound (infusion, tincture or syrup, or suck horehound candy)
Cowslip (infusion, tincture or syrup)
Thyme (infusion, tincture or syrup)
Elderberry
Goldenseal
Echinacea
Yarrow

For coughs:
marshmallow (the herb)
hyssop
anise
wild cherry
garlic

Excessive Phlegm:
Elder
Goldenrod

Measurement Conversions:
(i.e., 1 ml = 20 drops, 5 ml= 5cc=1tsp, 20 ml = 1 tablespoon, 65 ml = 1/4 cup, 130 ml = 1/2 cup;
1 gram = 1/4 tsp, 3 grams = slightly less than 0ne teaspoon)