Category Archives: Herbs

Preparing for allergy season

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Stinging Nettle infusion and dried

Wintertime is travel time for our family. By the end of February, after much travel, we start to get back into our normal routine. Part of our routine is drinking a quart of Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica) infusion daily to prepare our bodies for allergy season. Nettles nourishes your body all year long, but when taken daily for a couple of months before allergy season, it nourishes the body in a way that helps it deal when faced with allergens.  Nettles are a natural source of quercetin, a plant-derived flavonoid that supports the body’s response to allergens and inhibits histamine release (the substance produced in the body that causes sneezing, itching, and respiratory issues). An allergen is a substance such as pollen that may provoke an exaggerated immune response in individuals who are sensitive to it. Through this potential action, nettles help to reduce allergy symptoms. It also contains natural antihistamines that help to open nasal passages and ease allergy symptoms.

During spring and throughout late summer, I pick fresh Nettles for my infusions and recipes. Fresh Nettles can be used in any recipe that you would use spinach. Nevertheless, I also dry them during this time in preparation for allergy season. I have found it to be most effective when I drink a quart of infusion daily for at least two months before the pollen flies. It strengthens and supports my body, so allergens don’t hit me like a ton of lead. For any stray allergy symptom, there is always Goldenrod (Solidago, spp.) to the rescue.

If you did not happen to dry any Nettles last year, you can purchase them in the bulk section of a health food store or co-op. Don’t waste your time on tea bags, as you need more Nettles than that. Use about an ounce of dry herbs per quart jar, pour boiling water over it and let it steep at least four hours. I like to make it the night before and drink it throughout the following day. It will produce a beautiful rich deep green color, which will nourish and support the entire body, particularly the endocrine, immune, urinary, respiratory, and circulatory systems.

Do your body a favor and start drinking Nettle infusions every day.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sleep through the night, even if someone has a cough.

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During the winter, someone inevitably develops a cough, which tends to keep them and others up during the night. We generally take a spoonful of honey to help us sleep through the night but some coughs prove stronger than our honey remedy. A decade ago, I heard about a crazy remedy that really works. The magical remedy is – GARLIC OIL, rubbed on the soles of the feet. Yes, you heard me right. And, it is so simple, you have to try it next time you or someone has a cough.

Our little jar of garlic oil

Cough Remedy Recipe

  • Chop up several large cloves of garlic
  • Add garlic and olive oil to a small clean, dry jar and cover
  • Let sit for at least an hour, the longer the better
  • Rub some garlic oil on the soles of the cougher’s feet (use about the size of a nickel); perhaps focus some attention on the areas just below the toes as it is connected to the lungs. Garlic enters your system and heads straight for the lungs. To prove the connection – simply take a piece of garlic out of the jar and place it between your toes, sleep, and you will wake up with garlic breathe – crazy but true. Please do not put garlic straight onto an elder or  little one’s foot as their skin is much more sensitive and the garlic may burn them, garlic oil is okay though.
  • Put on socks to protect the linens
  • Sleep soundly

Reflexology Chart of the foot

Garlic oil is a safe remedy that I have used on myself and family members. One night, when Mathew little and sleeping through his coughs but keeping everyone else up, I actually applied the oil and put socks on him while he was sleeping and voila! Peace and quiet.

Many people eat garlic for its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, immune boosting, blood pressure and cholesterol lowering properties. Garlic is a great soldier in fighting all bronchial infections. It is also known to kill antibiotic resistant bacteria. It really is fantastic. And most of all, it tastes really good in most dishes.

What do you use to fight coughs and respiratory infections? Please share and I will continue to share.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.