The cold and flu season by Karlyn Rayne

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

As we finish our last harvests outside remember to prepare not only for winter to come back but also the flu season.

Here is a link to a blog that has a easy chinese Tea mix to sooth the season away.
http://catherineboley.blogspot.com/2009/08/preparing-for-winter.html

also here are some that I use

Violet cough syrup
- 1/2 c plus 2 tablespoons violet flowers cleaned
- 1 qt water

- 7 1/2 c sugar
Directions

Remove the little white part at the base of the petals. Then steep the petals in hot water overnight. The next day, filter this infusion and melt the sugar into it, slowly, until you get a syrupy consistency. Bottle or if making for later use you can put in jelly jars and boiling water bath 20 minutes to seal for shelf life. Makes a great addition to a sick basket.

Use: Take 4 tablespoons a day for light coughs and sore throats.

Other uses for Violets

Violets have been used to improve acne, anger, asthma, bronchitis, colds, eczema, fever, fibrocystic breast disease, grief, headache, heartbreak, lymphatic congestion, mastitis, mumps, psoriasis, scurvy, sore throat, ulcers, urinary tract infection, varicose veins, and whooping cough.
Apply a cloth soaked in violet leaf and/or flower tea to the back of the neck to treat headaches.
The flowers are eaten as a breath freshener.

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Rosemary Lemon Room Spray for the flu season

This spray not only cleans the air but kills infectious organisms.
- 6 drops rosemary e.o.
- 6 drops grapefruit e.o.

- 4 drops lemon e.o.
- 2 oz distilled water
Directions

1. Combine oils and water in a 2-ounce glass spritzer bottle. Shake well before each use and spray liberally into the air. This spray will combat odors and kill infectious organisms. During cold and flu season, add 2 drops of Eucalyptus. The blend works well in a diffuser also without the water.

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Garlic Honey (for the winter season)

It is easy to make and ready almost immediate to counter sore throats, colds, the flu, lung congestion, and sinus problems
- 1 jar 4-8 oz size with tight lid
- garlic cloves to lightly fill jar

- honey to fill jar
Directions

1. I fill the jar with peeled garlic cloves. I cut in half or you can poke holes in them to allow the honey to get in. Then I pour honey over it all. Screw on the lid, label the jar with the contents and date.

2. The garlic and honey combine to create a divine elixir that may be taken by the spoonful right out of the jar.

3. After a couple of months, the garlic is infused with honey and is lovely to eat. both the honey and the garlic darken as it ages

4. Garlic honey has never spoiled, no matter how long I have kept it (at room temperature) . It is not know to develop botulism.

5. Note: As with all honey, do not give to children less than one year old.

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Herbal Cough Drops
- 2 c turbinado sugar
- 1 c strong tea (see below for how to make)

- 3/4 c light corn syrup
- 1/4 tsp essential oils (peppermint and eucalypus)
Directions

1. Making the tea: These cough drops are a way to use some of the herbs you have grown or that you find growing near you. I go out and collect everything that is abundant and have properties that are good for cough drops (expectorant, anti-microbial, mucilaginous). Some herbs I have used are elecampane, thyme, sage, echinacea, marshmallow, angelica, elder flowers, mullein and comfrey.

2. I collect everything and throw all the roots in a pot and simmer these for about 30 minutes then throw in the leafy herbs and simmer some more. I start with about 1 quart of water. After the herbs have simmered for 10 minutes or so I cool it down and strain out the herbs then put the tea back on the stove and simmer until the volume of liquid is reduced to 1 cup.

3. When the tea is finished, combine it with the sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved then lower heat and cook without stirring until the temperature reaches 300 degree. This takes a long time! When the mixture reaches 300 degrees remove it from the heat and stir in your essential oils. I used peppermint and eucalyptus. Most of the oil evaporates quickly so I add the oil, stir briefly then pour the syrup onto a baking sheet.

4. The syrup immediately begins to harden. As soon as I can touch it and pull up the edges I start cutting strips and snipping them into little pieces. You have to work fast. I got behind on one batch and had to put chunks in a bag and crack them into pieces.

5. Notes: These turn out a lot like the ricola cough drops. If you don't have fresh herbs I'm sure you could substitute dried herbs but I haven't tried out proportions yet. You can add horehound but don't put in too much.

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Thyme gargle

Thyme contains an essential oil that is rich in thymol, a powerful antiseptic, antibacterial, and a strong antioxidant. The oil of thyme is used in mouthwashes to treat inflammations of the mouth, and throat infections. And did you know that Thyme it is a common component of cough drops.
- 3 oz water

- 2-3 drops thyme essential oil
Directions

1. Mix together in a glass and use as a gargle or swish your mouth for a minute.

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Yarrow tea

Echinacea and Yarrow have simular actions , some have better sucess with echinacea and som have sucess with yarrow.
My advice is if echinacea works keep usung if not try this tea.
- 6 c boiling water

- 1 c yarrow herb (leaves)
- honey to sweeten
Directions

1. In a pot of 6 cups boiling water add 1 cup yarrow leaves. Cover and steep 10 minutes, Strainb and keep hot in a thermos.

2. Rest in bed, drink 1/2 cup of tea every hour. If necessary repeat the next day.