Got a cold, sick in bed? Find relief and comfort with this simple tea blend using 3 common culinary herbs.
A cup of tea is a sure fix for anything that ails you, especially when down with a cold. But it can be hard to take care of ourselves when we feel under the weather. Lack of energy, grogginess, stuffy head and coughing can overwhelm our capabilities for self-care. That’s why I often recommend this totally simple (yet very effective) herbal tea that makes use of some readily available kitchen herbs.
Spice Cabinet Medicine – a simple Tea blend for a cold
Ingredients
2 teaspoons thyme leaf
2 teaspoons sage leaf
2 teaspoons fennel seeds – gently broken up in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder
Use high quality, organic herbs. If you’re a cook, you’ll probably have these herbs on hand in your spice rack. Put the herbs into a medium sized tea pot. Pour 2 cups freshly boiled water over the herbs, and cover. Let infuse for 10 – 15 minutes. Covering the tea is crucial while steeping, to preserve the medicinal volatile oils in the plants. Strain and pour into your tea cup. Add 1/2 – 1 teaspoon honey, if desired. To save on herbs this tea can be re-steeped with more hot water for another brew. After 2 batches, start again with fresh herbs.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): Used in herbal medicine for it’s antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral actions. Being anti-inflammatory, it helps to soothe a sore throat and inflamed tissues, and thyme is traditionally used for bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma, and upper respiratory tract infection and congestion.
Sage (Salvia officinalis): Similar to thyme, sage leaf is antimicrobial against infection, and also anti-inflammatory. It soothes mucous membranes, and particularly brings relief to a sore throat.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Soothes a cough, moistens the mucous membranes and loosens congestion, warms the digestive system, and relieves nausea. Fennel also has a soothing taste which can be comforting and relaxing during illness.
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