Friday, July 4, 2008

Tickly Throat Tea

Younger munchkin has been snuffly and coughing the last few days and it's been keeping him up at night. Last night I made him a tea that worked wonders and gave it to him again before bed tonight. He is sleeping soundly now as we speak.

I'd used honey and thyme before (both have weak antibacterial/antiseptic qualities) but I also read that yarrow was good for colds and sage was good for drying the mucous membranes (but warned to use it sparingly and not prolonged use).

So the tea was simply a teaspoon of honey, heaped teaspoon of thyme, 2 sage leaves, 1 yarrow leaf, and the juice from half a lemon. Steeped with a lid on for 8 minutes and Voila! Younger munchkin said it was delicious and has stopped coughing long enough to fall asleep and stay there. :)

With winter here there are a lot of snuffles going round. Why not try it out if they catch you!

8 comments:

Cathode said...

My standard recipe whenever Im pregnant with a cold has been juice of at least 1/2 lemon, 1 tablespoon of honey (I prefer jarrah honey), and top up the cup with boiling water. If Im feeling hard core I also put in 1-2 crushed garlic cloves and some orange juice. Great for sore throats. I thought yarrow was a pms thing?
oO, I had all my diggers seeds arrive, so I am probably gonna get rid of the older stock ... if you want some more pumpkin and capsicum seeds, let me know!

Cwm Goch Chronicles said...

Hey there!
I think yarrow does both. RE the seeds - I've got pots everywhere in the laundry already - THANK YOU, so I'll pass on these seeds! My free freckle lettuce seeds arrived today (which I got for renewing on the web) - do you want half?

Talk to you soon
Nat :)

Cathode said...

freckle lettuce? I am intrigued!
I bought a mushroom plant today, totally freaky, tastes exactly like mushroom, but not a fungus! I'll see if I can make it strike and give you a cutting.

I have SOOOOOOOOOO many seeds atm. Potted up all the tomatoes, and cucumbers and various other things. Am sure I will have spare seedlings as I have done 10 of each, and definately dont have the space for 10 of each plant (ie I potted up 200 seeds today!), would you like spares for the garden?

Cathode said...

oO, forgot, I ordered a diggers catalogue for you (to your address). I almost drool over the catalogue ... how sad am I!
They have EVERYTHING!!!

Cwm Goch Chronicles said...

Yes I'd LOVE the seedlings - especially since you have so much more success than me with propagating. Seedlings will do well for me, seeds.....well!

I think I've got the catalogue (one came when I renewed).

The freckle lettuce are cute - light green with brown speckles on them. I'll propagate some - well try! - and pass them on ehwen they're ready.

That mushroom plant sounds fascinating - I've never heard of it. Does it still taste that way when it's cooked? How do you use it? (Salads or casserole flavour addition?)
N :)

Cathode said...

not sure why my comment didnt make it through : (

anyhoo, the catalogue was released this week. sorry if you get a double up, should of figured you'd be a member!

mushroom leaves are used mainly fresh in salads and sandwiches, but can be used cooked when added at the end of cooking to preserve the flavour.

naturewitch said...

Beautiful mix of herbs. I often just use a sage and thyme tea as a gargle. Just be careful with sage if you are breastfeeding - it can dry up your milk! xx

The Crone at Wits End said...

Cwm goch, email me at

thecroneatwitsend@gmail.com

plans in the offing!!!