Generated April 1, 2005

Herbal Comforts For the Cold & Flu Season

Unfortunately, it is that time of year again.
The good news is, that although they do not cure a cold or the flu, there are many herbs that can be used to help relieve the symptoms of these nasty bugs.
Here are some recipes and ideas incorporating soothing herbs and oils.

Breathe Easy Pillow

This pillow has herbs and oils that are good for opening up the sinuses.

You will need:

a piece of soft or silky fabric about 81/2 inches long and 5 ½ to 6 ½ inches wide.
A needle and thread, sewing machine or serger
About ½ pound of flax seed
3 tablespoons peppermint leaf
1 tablespoon eucalyptus leaf, crushed
15 drops eucalyptus essential oil (not fragrance oil)
15 drops peppermint essential oil (not fragrance oil)
10 drops menthol essential oil or a few menthol pieces

Mix all the herbs together and sprinkle the essential oils over the herbs. Stir in the flax seed. Mix well.
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, wrong side out. Sew up the long side and one short side. Turn right side out, and using the one open side, fill the pillow with the herb and flax seed mixture. Sew up the opening.

Stuffy Nose Soother

This is sooooo simple! It takes about 5 minutes and then you are done.

3 ½oz of Nature's Jelly
15 drops menthol
10 drops of peppermint (fragrance oils will not work)
10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil (fragrance oils will not work)
1- 4 oz salve jar

Fill the salve jar about ¾ full with Nature's Jelly.
Add the drops of essential oils and stir well.
That's it =)
You can use this as a chest rub or rub a little under your nose. Be careful when using with children and those who may have sensitive skin as the oils may irritate their skin.

Cold And Flu Bath Tea

You will need:

1/2c Epsom Salts
1/2c sea salt
1/2c baking soda
1 Tbsp eucalyptus leaves (broken into small pieces)
1 Tbsp peppermint leaf
20 drops peppermint (for soothing achy muscles)
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil (for help in opening sinuses)
10 drops juniper eo (for soothing achy muscles)
muslin bags

Measure out the baking soda and mix essential oils into it. Mix that in with the rest of the ingredients. Store in an air tight container. Keep out of direct sunlight. For gift giving or selling…attach muslin or tea bags to the outside of the container with instructions for use.

To use: fill a muslin bag with the mixture. Hang it from the tub faucet so that the water runs through it while you are filling the tub. After the tub is full, let it float around the tub or gently press onto sore, aching muscles. Discard bag after use.

Soothing Sinus Steam

You will need:

3 tsp eucalyptus leaves
2 tsp peppermint leaves
1 tsp pine needles
a heat proof bowl
32 ounces of boiling water
a bath towel

Put all the herbs into the bowl and then pour the water over them. Let them soak for about 5 minutes. Place your head over the bowl and then cover your head and the bowl with the towel. Breathe in the herbal steam for about 10 minutes. Make sure you don't get your face to close to the bowl.

Other helpful hints:

~Try hanging some eucalyptus in the shower. It will work with the steam to open up your sinuses.
~Put eucalyptus, peppermint, and pine in your humidifier. Put it in the room you'll be sleeping in. This will help alleviate coughing and open sinus passages.
~Peppermint tea with honey can be very soothing to your body and spirit.
~Warm, comfort foods always make me feel a little better as well.
~Larry our General Manager says “Wrap up in you favorite blankie and watch Casablanca.”