Fever Tea Bath Bags

Fevers are an essential symptom during an illness. They usually work in a beneficial way for us to kill pathogens we don’t want inside our body. It’s important to understand when we should intervene and when we should work with the fever to help recover from an illness faster. I recommend reading this blog post form Dr. Lawrence Palevsky, Pediatrician, whom I have a lot of respect for before reading on. It has brought me and many of my loved ones with children peace of mind when our children have been ill.

https://www.northportwellnesscenter.com/practitioner/lawrence-palevsky/if-your-child-is-sick

From the article above you should now have a better understanding of what signs and symptoms to look for when you or your child has a fever, what kinds of things you can do as comfort measures and when you should go to the doctor. These fever tea bags are a great comfort measure and contain herbs to help a fever work better for the person who is ill. Many of the herbs are diaphoretic herbs that help break a fever through sweating, including elder, yarrow and spearmint. The lavender and chamomile are cooling, soothing and anti-inflammatory. It is important to make a strong infusion with the herbs. Save some to drink and use the rest in a bath.

Fever Tea Bags

Use equal parts: about 2 tablespoons for each bath

Elder flower
Yarrow
Spearmint
Lavender
Chamomile
3×5 or 4×6 muslin bag

Place the herbs inside the muslin bag and cinch closed. Make an infusion by boiling 4 cups of purified water. Turn the heat off and place the muslin bag filled with the herbs into the pot. Cover with lid and steep for 30 minutes. Reserve one cup of the tea in a mug. Pour the rest of the tea in a warm bath with 1 cup of Epsom salts. Soak for 30 minutes while drinking the reserved cup of tea. Remember to get in with your little ones for lots of skin to skin time like Dr Palevsky mentions in his article. Once out of the bath be sure to have warm towels close by so not to lose any heat. Wrap up in more blankets and apply a little lavender essential oil onto the back of the neck and feet.

August 9, 2018

Cough and Congestion Balm

Super simple to make, this powerful balm is just as good as any over the counter mentholated topical ointment, except better and more natural. The recipe makes 4 (2-ounce) jars and can easily be doubled. I like using Butterfly Express essential oils because they are high quality and very inexpensive. Be sure to keep in the fridge if storing for longer than 1 year.

Recipe

12 tablespoons coconut oil
5 tablespoons cocoa butter
4 tablespoons beeswax pellets
40 drops peppermint essential oil
40 drops eucalyptus essential oil
20 drops basil essential oil
20 drops tea tree essential oil
20 drops thyme essential oil
20 drops lemon essential oil
20 drops rosemary essential oil

In a small sauce pan combine the coconut oil, cocoa butter and beeswax together, melting on very low heat. Once combined, add the essential oils and mix together. Pour into jars or tins and allow to cool and set up completely. Cap, label and date. Use as needed.

August 1, 2018August 4, 2019

Medicinal Herb – Oregon Grape

Medicinal Herb post #40 written July 31, 2018

Oregon Grape – Mahonia aquifolium and M. repins

The roots of this sun to part shade perennial contains the medicine. It grows wild throughout our Utah mountains. The root is best harvested in the early spring or fall. It contains a chemical in it called berberine that gives it a yellow color. Berberine is a fabulous antibiotic, much like the coveted, expensive and endangered Goldenseal. Oregon grape root can be used instead. It contains 13 different antibacterial chemicals, where penicillin, for example only contains 1. This is important because bacterial stains are less likely to become resistant to it like pharmaceutical antibiotics. Essentially the bacteria don’t know what to do other than die. Just like with any antibiotic herb or drug, probiotics or fermented foods should be consumed during the regimen and afterward. Only use during a current infection or temporarily internally as a cleanser. Long term use can cause vitamin B deficiency. Avoid during pregnancy and nursing.

Oregon grape is also an alterative, supporting the body’s ability to function normally. Many herbalist believe it does this due to its hepatic properties in helping to cleanse the liver by increasing bile production. This improves skin conditions like acne, psoriasis and eczema. It also contains antilithic benefits in helping to break down stones, gall or kidney. It is an antifungal and antiparasitic herb as well.

I make a liver cleansing formula as a tincture, tea or capsules using equal parts Oregon grape root, Dandelion root, Burdock root, Yellow dock and Milk thistle. Use 1 tsp 3x a day for 2 weeks.

Another formula to use in times of infection would be a combination of equal parts Oregon grape root, Echinacea root, Garlic, Calendula and Yarrow. To make a tincture, steep in 100 proof vodka for 4 weeks, strain and store in amber bottle out of sunlight. Other antibacterial herbs include, Barberry, Chamomile, Chaparral, Gumweed, Uva Ursi, Wormwood, Cayenne, St. John’s Wort, Elecampane, Peppermint, Plantain, Rue, Sage, Usnea, Gentian and Myrrh.

August 1, 2018August 4, 2019

Medicinal Herb – Aloe and other succulents

Medicinal Herb post #39 written July 31, 2018

Aloe Vera – Aloe barbadensis
Hens and Chicks, Purslane, Prickly Pear Cactus and other succulents.

All of these succulents have something in common. They can be used interchangeably as osmotic herbs, meaning they draw out inflammation from the effected area relieving pain. So if you don’t have Aloe in a pot and you burn yourself during the winter months, go out and grab some Hens and Chicks or other succulent plant, blend and apply topically. Aloe is an annual here in Utah unless potted and brought inside for the winter. They all love to be left alone, giving them well draining soil and maybe watering once a week when it’s hot or once a month during the winter months.

Aloe and others also contain antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Interestingly, it also soothes an irritated digestive system, like IBS and ulcers for example, and can easily be thrown into a smoothie. The juice is known as one of the safest laxatives, but should still be used with caution as it can have strong results. It tastes yummy when mixed with spearmint or peppermint tea or fresh squeezed lemon juice. Sweeten with honey or stevia if you like. It should not be taken internally by pregnant or nursing women and should be used with great caution for elderly and children in smaller doses.

Aloe promotes rapid tissue repair reversing damage from sunburn blisters and scarring. It’s great for other skin issues when used directly or in a salve for things like bites, stings, rashes, eczema, acne, and poison ivy. Aloe can also be used as a natural sunblock, blocking out around 30% of ultraviolet rays. It should not be used in cases of staff related infections like impetigo.

It can be made into a face and body cream by infusing calendula in almond oil over the stove top on very low heat for an hour. Use 1 and 1/2 cups of the strained calendula oil, 1/4 cup cocoa butter, 1/4 cup coconut oil and 1/2 cup beeswax. Melt together and cool for several hours or overnight. Place in blender and mix together 1/2 cup Aloe Vera gel and 1 and 1/2 cups purified water and favorite essential oil. Slowly drizzle the water mixture into the blender as it runs until the consistency becomes thick. Scoop into jars and keep in the fridge for long term storage.

Make your own gel by scraping out the insides of the leaves and blending. Store in jar and keep cold. Use in salves with other herbs like plantain, comfrey, yarrow, and calendula.

A quick word about purslane… it has almost as much omega 3 fatty acids as fish, is full of vitamins and minerals and should really be eaten often!

August 1, 2018August 4, 2019

Medicinal Herb – Chickweed

Medicinal Herb post #38 written July 31, 2018

Chickweed – Stellaria media

Chickweed is a delicate looking annual with pretty star like flowers that prefers rich soil, a sunny location, but also a cool area. It will do well in partial sunny areas too. It can become invasive so harvest often and use in salads or smoothies. It contains many vitamins and minerals.

Chickweed contains wonderful demulcent properties, making it a great herb for skin irritations, eye inflammation and a great liver and kidney tonic as it is a diuretic. I use it as one of my main ingredients in my salve recipe to relieve itching from bug bites. It works immediately. It’s also beneficial for eczema, rashes, skin ulcers, psoriasis, nettle stings and diaper rashes. Make a tea with chamomile and chickweed for an eye wash to soothe irritated tissues. It can be used for bowel problems like IBS, constipation and other GI distress due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also has anti-pyretic properties to help lower fevers.

It is best to harvest, dry and use chickweed right away. Either making a tincture or salve with it.

August 1, 2018August 4, 2019

Medicinal Herb – Thyme

Medicinal Herb Post #37 written on July 31, 2018

Thyme – Thymus vulgaris

Thyme is one of my favorite sun loving perennial herbs for cooking, but did you know it’s a powerful medicinal too? It loves our alkaline soil here in Utah and there are lots of varieties to choose from. If you want the most medicinal, choose the common garden thyme (thymus vulgaris) or lemon thyme (T. citriodorus). As the plant matures it will become woody. Prune it heavily in the spring before new growth starts (about half). I like to keep it trimmed so new soft growth continues throughout the growing season.

Thyme has many great benefits. It’s a powerful antibiotic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and expectorant making it a perfect herb for all things respiratory, including difficult issues like whooping cough. For respiratory problems I would make a tea with it and drink 1 cup several times a day. It can be used internally or externally as a wash to fight off infection. It’s incredibly useful for disinfecting surfaces. Try making my recipe for the perfect disinfectant/deodorizer by pouring half white vinegar and half hydrogen peroxide into a bottle. Add thyme, eucalyptus and pine essential oils together. Other great essential oil combos to use for cleaning are lemon, orange and tea tree; And rosemary, cinnamon, clove, orange and eucalyptus. It really works well for anything!… I’m talking the worst of the worst especially with kids. Thyme is also great for digestive issues, including expelling parasites.

I love making a syrup infused with honey and thyme. Add 4 ounces fresh thyme herb to 1 quart of water. Simmer on very low heat until the liquid had reduced to half and strain. Add 1 cup of honey and store in the fridge for a month. Take 1 teaspoon every few hours until cold/cough stops. Feel free to add other herbs to make a cough syrup like wild cherry bark, chamomile, ginger, hyssop, licorice root, marshmallow root, mullein leaf, and red clover.

I cook with thyme a lot. Here are some favorites of mine.
https://rootedemily.com/?p=1565
https://rootedemily.com/?p=1100
https://rootedemily.com/?p=712
Try this recipe with lemon thyme:
https://rootedemily.com/?p=463

I’d love to hear how you use thyme!

July 27, 2018August 4, 2019

Medicinal Herb Post – Sage

Medicinal herb post #36

Sage – Salvia officinalis written July 30, 2018

Believe it or not this sun loving perennial is actually apart of the mint family, Lamiaceae. There are more than 750 varieties. The officinalis variety is hardy in zones 4-8 so it grows well here in our Utah climates, as do many other kinds. It prefers well draining soil. Sage is actually easier to propagate from root cuttings rather than start from seed. I whack mine back every spring to a medium ball shape. Harvest the leaves from spring through fall.

Sage is a great astringent helping to tone and pucker inflamed tissues, so it’s great for sore throats, mouth sores and diarrhea. It is also effective in drying up mothers milk when a woman is ready to wean her toddler. It’s antiseptic properties make it useful for fighting off the cold/flu. Sage is a mild hormonal stimulant, promoting regular cycles in women and relieving symptoms of menopause like hot flashes and night sweats. It also has antiviral and antifungal properties to help treat infections. Avoid medicinal doses during pregnancy and/or nursing.

Here’s a simple sage syrup for sore throats or mouth sores… Make a tea from the sage leaves, 1 Tbsp loose dried herb for every cup of water. Add equal parts honey once steeped and strained. Add a few drops peppermint essential oil. You can also add a small amount of echinacea tincture to it too. Pour into bottle and use as needed.

Years ago I found an amazing herb seasoning that I couldn’t find again. I looked at the ingredients in the bottle and decided to make it myself. I grow each herb in my yard and use equal parts dried. I throw it into everything, from soup to spaghetti and more. Here’s the recipe https://rootedemily.com/?p=1802

This grilled herb chicken recipe is my absolute favorite! So flavorful!https://rootedemily.com/?p=210

July 27, 2018December 6, 2019

Medicinal Herb Post – Rosemary

Medicinal Herb Post #35 written July 30,2018

Rosemary – Rosmarinus officinalis

Native to the Mediterranean, Rosemary means “dew of the sea” as it grows wild along the sunny hillsides next to the sea. It is a perennial in zones 7-10, like warmer climates in St. George. There is a variety named Arp that is supposed to do well here in Northern Utah. I have yet to find a micro-climate in my yard to get it to live through our colder winters. But I keep trying . I’ve had a few live, but only if the winters are mild. Rosemary prefers full sun. It doesn’t like to be over watered, but it doesn’t want to be completely dried out either. Spray the leaves with a water bottle in between waterings weekly to keep it happy. I always keep one in a pot and bring inside during the winter months to use for cooking. Be sure to keep it in a sunny window and/or under lights or powdery mildew will take over. If you are growing one outside just be sure to trim any dead branches that may be affected by cold temps. When harvesting, cut the sprigs almost to the ground working from the outside in, all the way around the plant, leaving the center to continue growing. Rosemary is easily propagated by cuttings. Snip a 6-8 inch branch and place 3 inches of it in a small cup of water. Place on a sunny windowsill and watch is root out over the next few weeks. Transplant to a pot and then into the ground the second year.

Rosemary is well known for improving memory and increasing concentration through circulation improving brain fog, mild depression and headaches caused by vasoconstriction. It’s mildly simulating because it increases oxygen levels within the cells. It does this through improving circulation and can help with cold hands and feet. It is really beneficial for those with vein issues when used with hawthorn berries and gotu kola.

Rosemary helps the body break down fats and food waste improving digestion. When the essential oil is applied to the hair after a shower while the pores are still open within 2 minutes is can stimulate the mind, hair growth and eliminate dandruff. It can help ease muscle tension and headaches and can even work for mild depression. It contains anti-inflammatory properties which can attribute to being a mild pain reliever.

Here’s a great brain tonic: use equal parts ginkgo leaf (harvest at the end of the growing season), gotu kola leaf (if you have it), holy basil, rosemary leaf and peppermint leaf. Make a tincture or tea. Use daily, 1 tsp as a tincture 3x a day or 1 tsp as a tea at the end of the day. Herbs always take time before they start working, usually a few weeks. I like the saying use early, often and after for them to be effective.

Rosemary is also a great antiviral. It can be used for chest infections and clears excess mucus from the sinuses and lungs.

One of my favorite cookies is a rosemary butter cookie. Believe me, you’ll be pleasantly surprised! Here’s the recipe https://rootedemily.com/?p=1541

I love adding rosemary to my breads. For every 2 loaves I make, I add 1-2 tablespoons depending on your taste preference. Here’s a great recipe for a yummy chewy rustic loaf. https://rootedemily.com/?p=197

Another great idea is to infuse rosemary into olive oil over the stove top on low heat for 30-45 minutes. Turn into a salad dressing, a dip for bread or a garnish in soup.

Next time you throw a pot roast in the crock pot or roast chicken add rosemary to it. It not only tastes amazing, but it will help with digestion too.

I’d love to hear how you use rosemary! 🙂

July 27, 2018August 4, 2019

Medicinal Herb Post – Oregano

Medicinal Herb Post #34 written July 26, 2018

Oregano – Origanum vulgare and other spp.

Oregano is a sun loving perennial that reseeds easily in rich soil if allowed to flower and go to seed. Keep it cut back regularly and it will keep producing spring, summer and fall. I like to dry it and use throughout the winter for cooking. Oregano means “joy of the mountains”. Historically it was often used to make crowns for the bride on her wedding day. The Greeks would make a poultice to relieve aching muscles, wounds and bites. I like using Greek oregano for its hotter flavor and stronger medicine.

Oregano is also part of the mint family, Lamiaceae, so it is going to effect our nervous and and want to kill something. It’s a strong antibacterial, killing everything in its path. Be careful to replenish your gut bacteria when using medicinally. It is helpful with colic and bloating. It is also detoxifying and a good respiratory expectorant. It can help regulate menstrual cycles and relieve toothache pain, sore muscles and pain from bug bites.

My favorite supplement that contains oregano I take when I feel like I’m getting sick is called Immunity Shots from California Naturals. You can get it off Amazon. I have kicked strep throat with it twice. Use 6 sprays every 30 minutes the first day and then every few hours after until symptoms subside. Be sure to buy the refill bottle too.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes and uses.
https://rootedemily.com/?p=68

July 27, 2018August 4, 2019

Medicinal Herb Post – Basil

Medicinal Herb post #33 written July 26, 2018

Basil – Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum sanctum (Holy Basil)

This sun loving annual is part of the mint family (Lamiaceae), with a square stem and alternating and opposing leaves. It has over 150 different varieties of its kind like lemon, cinnamon and holy basil to name a few. I like to grow it from seed under lights and put outside as starts. I also directly seed into the ground after Mother’s Day. I have found that directly seeding into the ground produces better. But I still like the starts to give me a few early leaves to use in cooking. Don’t let the plants flower by keeping them cut back and they’ll continue to produce all season long. It’s Greek meaning refers to “kingly” or “royal herb”. Historically it was used for royalty in healing salves. We use it today as a culinary and medicinal herb.

Basil effects the digestive and nervous systems (because it’s a mint ). It will help with stomach issues like bloating, cramps, nausea and vomiting. Basil regulates gut flora so it supports the immune system. It is on the calming spectrum of the nervines. A mild sedative that can help with headaches, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia and irritability. It also contains antibacterial properties and can help relieve itch and pain from insect bites. There are no contraindications.

A word about Holy Basil… or otherwise known as Tulsi. It grows wild throughout India and is considered a highly regarded plant in Ayurvedic medicine, second most holy herb next to the lotus flower. It’s the only basil that reseeds itself in my garden. It is used regularly for restoring vitality and renewing energy on a regular basis. It can be made into a tincture or a tea.

Try making a tea with basil, lemon balm and chamomile for headaches and even stomach aches.

I love homemade pesto. I make enough to freeze and get us through the winter until next season. I use almonds instead of pine nuts so it’s much cheaper and I think it tastes better. Here’s my recipe… https://rootedemily.com/?p=394

Here are a few of my other favorite recipes.
https://rootedemily.com/?p=1325
https://rootedemily.com/?p=1999
https://rootedemily.com/?p=1529
https://rootedemily.com/?p=1346

What do you use basil for?