Chamomile Tincture

I am a raging insomniac. At least 4 days a week I can't sleep at night between nighttime allergies, restless leg syndrome, fibro, the dogs being cranky, my idiot neighbors or some random thing. For 7 years I had to take sleeping pills to get more than two hours of rest. Now I can sleep (during the day) for three to four hours a shot. Wellness Mama has put up this recipe that is not only great for adults, if the booze is allowed to burn off is great for teething infants and colic and a general calmative.

Ingredients
1/2 to 1 cup of fresh or freshly dried chamomile flowers
approximately 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups boiling water
approximately 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups vodka or rum
quart size glass jar with airtight lid

Put fresh or dried Chamomile flowers in clean quart size glass jar. Pour boiling water over flowers to just cover them (may have to stir). Fill the rest of the jar with vodka or rum (do not use rubbing alcohol or non-consumable alcohol!) and tightly cover with airtight lid.

Store in a cool, dark place and shake daily for 4-6 weeks. This will make a strong tincture!  After 4-6 weeks, remove from cabinet, and pour through a cheesecloth or strainer. Store in a jar or in tincture vials for easy use.

Normal dose for adults is up to 1 tsp 1-3 times a day as needed. For infants, only a few drops are needed, and often it can be rubbed on the gums or stomach for teething or colic pain. For toddlers and older children 1/4 to 1/2 tsp can be taken 1-3 times a day while needed. It is especially useful for babies and young children who are having difficulty sleeping. A dose right before bedtime can help relax and sooth them for more peaceful sleep.

Elderberry Cold/Flu Syrup

When I was little my grandfather worked for Savage Labs and they made Elderberry Syrup. A pharmaceutical company! They went out of business, so now you have to make your own. Thank you Joanie and Alicia at The Soft Landing for this.

Ingredients
2/3 cup dried black elderberries
3 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons of fresh ginger (peeled and sliced)
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon of clove powder
1 cup of raw, local honey

Add first 5 ingredients (everything except honey) to a medium size saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Let simmer for 3- 4 hours to reduce by nearly half, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and strain liquid to remove elderberries and ginger, discard or compost. Once completely cooled, add honey and mix well. Store in air tight container and keep refrigerated (the syrup lasts about a month when refrigerated).

The standard dosage is 1/2 to 1 teaspoon for kids daily and 1/2 to 1 tablespoon for adults daily for prevention of cold and flu during the toughest part of the season.  If the flu strikes, take the normal dosage every 2 to 3 hours until symptoms disappear.

Liquid Multivitamin Tincture

I found this on accident today and thought it was good to pass on. I'm always out of energy. If it'll do you good, here you go! Thank you Wellness Mama!

Ingredients
Alfalfa
Red Raspberry Leaf
Dandelion Leaf
Stevia (optional-for taste)

I chose these specific herbs for a reason…

Alfalfa is often called “nature’s multivitamin” for its high concentration of many vitamins and minerals. Most notably, it contains eight essential amino acids, Vitamin K and has the highest chlorophyll content of any plant.

Red Raspberry Leaf is one of my favorite herbs, and I take it during the latter half of my pregnancies. It contains B-Vitamins, Vitamins C, E and A, as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. It is a favorite for pregnant women for its ability to tone the uterus and make labor easier (and I wonder if this is due to its magnesium content, as magnesium was extremely helpful to me during pregnancy).

Dandelion leaf is also very high in vitamins and minerals, especially calcium. It is the same type of dandelion that grows as a weed in your backyard, and its root, leaves and even flowers can be used in many ways! Dandelion leaf is said to be great for the digestive system, liver, pancreas gall-bladder and circulatory system.

Stevia is simply used for taste, and I’ve also used peppermint leaf in the past for the kids, but prefer not to use large amount of this during pregnancy or in very small children, so I usually leave it out of the multivitamin tincture.

Supplies
clean glass jar (at least pint size) with lid
consumable alcohol like vodka or rum (at least 80 proof) or food grade vegetable glycerine
herbs of choice

Alcohol Tincture:
I mix in whatever quantity needed, usually 1 part=1/4 cup -or by weight 1 part=1 ounce.

Fill the jar 1/3 to 1/2 full with dried herbs. Filling half full will make a stronger tincture. Do not pack down. Pour boiling water to just dampen all of the herbs. Fill the rest of the jar with alcohol and stir with a clean spoon.

Put the lid on the jar. Store the jar in a cool/dry place, shaking daily, for at least three weeks and up to six months. (I usually leave herbs for six weeks). Strain through cheesecloth and compost the herbs. Store the tincture in colored dropper bottles or clean glass jars.

NOTE: The alcohol can be evaporated before use by adding it to a hot liquid.

Glycerine Tincture
Fill the jar 1/3 to 1/2 full with dried herbs. Filling half full will make a stronger tincture. Do not pack down. Pour boiling water to just dampen all of the herbs. (This step is optional but helps to draw out the beneficial properties of the herbs). Fill the rest of the jar (or the entire jar if not using hot water too) with glycerine and stir with a clean spoon. Put the lid on the jar.

Place a wash cloth or silicon baking mat (to keep jar from breaking) in the bottom of a crock pot with a “keep warm” or very low setting. Fill the crock pot up with water to cover 3/4 of the jar (don’t cover the lid!) and turn on the lowest setting.

Keep in slow-cooker/crock pot for at least 1 day on this setting, adding water as needed (I’ve done up to three days). Let cool, strain and use as a regular tincture.

Note: Glycerine tinctures are sweeter and not considered as strong as alcohol tinctures! Be careful when buying glycerine to make sure that it is food grade and not made from Corn (often GMO!)

How Much to Take?

The standard adult dose we take is  1 teaspoon up to three times a day as needed (or 1 tablespoon in the morning). Kids usually get 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per day.

Gastrointestinal Blackberry Tea

Blackberry leaf is a very diverse herb with many uses. In this instance it is used to soothe stomach upset, diarrhea and intestinal cramping. There are two versions of this recipe: a light and a heavy or a tea and a decoction. Choose depending on the severity of your symptoms. Please remember that I am not a doctor and cannot dispense medical advice for others. I only list the recipes that I use in my own home. Please note that peppermint cannot be given to small children as it can have the opposite reaction due to the menthol.

Ingredients:
1 ounce blackberry leaves
1 ounce raspberry leaves
1 ounce chamomile flowers
1 ounce peppermint leaves

Prepare this mixture and boil a handful in 1 quart of water until about half of water has boiled off. This herbal tea mixture will combat intestinal gas and mild diarrhea. This tea warms the stomach and soothes intestinal inflammation.

For a stronger decoction continue to cook down the recipe until the liquid reduces by half. Drink 2-3 small cups daily.

Cold and Flu Tea

When you’re huddled at home nursing a cold or flu, a warm cup of herb tea is comfort in itself. An advantage to drinking tea is that the liquid thins congestion and flushes out toxins. Drinking two to three cups of the following tea, nice and hot, will make you sweat and lower a fever. If possible, tuck yourself into a warm bed afterwards.

Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon Yarrow flowers
1/2 teaspoon Elder flowers
1/2 teaspoon Peppermint leaves
1/2 teaspoon Echinacea root
1/2 teaspoon Schisandra berries
3 cups boiling water

Combine the herbs in a teapot and pour the boiling water over them. Steep for at least 20 minutes.  Strain and drink throughout the day. You can make a double batch and keep it in the refrigerator, just be sure to warm it before drinking.

Cold and Flu Tea recipes reprinted with permission from The Herb Companion magazine, a division of Ogden publications. Recipes written by Kathi Keville. Kathi Keville is the author of eleven books, including Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art and Herbs for Health and Healing. She teaches herb and aromatherapy seminars throughout the United States and is director of the American Herb Association (www.ahaherb.com). 

Immune Support Syrup

I wish that I still had the original article that I pulled this from so I could cite it. It has been so very helpful in keeping my butt active and on the go.

Ingredients:
3 cups cold water
 ½ cup organic Elderberries
 ½ cup organic Hawthorn berries
 ¼ cup organic Rosehips
 1 organic cinnamon stick
 ¾ to 1 cup raw local honey
 1.5 ounces brandy or Skullcap tincture (optional preservative)

Combine herbs with cold water in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow herbs to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from heat and mash the berries in the liquid mixture. Strain the herbs through cheesecloth and squeeze out the juice. Measure the liquid and add an equal amount of honey. Gently heat the honey and juice for a few minutes until well combined, but do not boil! Stir in brandy or tincture if you’d like and pour the finished syrup into sterilized glass bottles. Label and keep refrigerated for up to 6 months.Take a teaspoon or two daily to support your heart and immune system during times of duress.

Deep Chest and Throat Congestion Decoction

There is not much that you can do to make me take flu medicine. I dry up. I get dizzy. I get worse after taking it most of the time. Instead I'd rather fish around in my cabinets and come up with food based medicines to help. Please remember that I am not a doctor and do not dispense medical advice.

Ingredients:
4 “finger sized” pieces of Osha root
 2 - 4 Licorice root sticks
 1/2 oz Elecampane root
 1/2 oz Wild Cherry Bark
 1 tablespoon Horehound
 3 or 4 sprigs of Thyme or 1 tsp dried
 zest and juice from one lemon
 3 or 4 inches of fresh Ginger root sliced, or 2 tsp of dried Ginger root
 4 cups water
 1 1/2 – 2 cup raw local honey

Combine all ingredients, except the honey, with the water and allow to soak at room temperature for several hours.

Next, gently simmer all ingredients – except the honey – together until the liquid is reduced by half.  Strain and press as much liquid as possible from the herbs.  Measure the decocted liquid and add an equal portion of honey while the liquid is still warm. Store in a sealed glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator and use as needed.

Mom's 'Last Nerve' Tincture

I love the name alone. I found it in an old newsletter sent out by Mountain Rose Herbs. This nervine tonic tincture formula will help Mom keep her cool during stressful situations. Oat tops in this recipe provide mild nourishment to strengthen the nerves. Both oats and skullcap – which tends to have a more immediate, yet gentle calming effect – are indicated for nervousness, exhaustion, some types of headaches, and restless sleep. Skullcap is also anti-spasmodic and helps relax tense muscles. Holy basil is an important adaptogenic herb in India that allows the mind to adapt and react to incoming stress with calm, perhaps thanks to its antioxidant content including flavonoids, phenolics, and carotenoids.

Ingredients: 
½ organic Milky Oat Tops tincture
¼ organic Skullcap tincture
¼ organic Holy Basil tincture

You can make your own individual herb tinctures and mix them according to the ratio above, or blend our pre-made tinctures in a glass dropper bottle. Take 3 droppers up to three times a day to help prepare your nervous system for unexpected stressors as you balance family, friends, work, love, hobbies, finances, and more each day.

Cardamom Digestive Tea

If you've never had the joy of tasting cardamom, it's a mix between a mild peppery flavor and smooth licorice. It does wonders for helping avoid indigestion and gas, as well as the mellowing factor that all good tea rituals can offer. This is simply a home remedy that I’ve collected, it's not professional medical advice. 

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon cardamom
1 cup boiling water.

Steep as you would ordinary tea. Strain if need be. Drink tea with meals.

Anise Congestion Tea

When you have a cold, allergies or the flu and you can't get anything out, I suggest using a neti-pot to clear up nasal congestion, then do an herbal steam treatment and drink this tea. It's much kinder on your body than chemicals and stimulants. Please remember that this is my personal opinion and a recipe that I use at home, not actual medical advice.

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon anise seeds
1 cup boiling water

Make a tea by steeping 1 teaspoon of anise seeds in 1 cup of boiling water. Strain before drinking.

Sore Throat Sage Gargle

This simple recipe comes from our friends at Mother Earth Living. The Sage used in the following recipe is a classic gargle, but other herbs such as Marjoram, Thyme or Hyssop can be used instead. Please remember that I am not a doctor and this is not expert medical advice.

Ingredients:
1 cup boiling water
2 teaspoons fresh or dried Sage leaves
1/4 ounce salt

Pour the boiling water over the Sage, cover and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and add the salt. Gargle as needed. May be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days.

Horehound Cough Syrup

Horehound tastes a little like root beer. This is a kid friendly cough syrup that I use at home. Please remember that I am not a doctor and this isn't expert medical advice. It is simply a homemade remedy that I use at home. 

Ingredients: 
1 oz. dried horehound leaves
1 pint boiling water
1 1/2 cups of honey

Mix 1 1/2 cups of the infused water with 3 cups of honey. Pour into sterilized jars, seal.