Michael's Infallible Sore Throat Remedy

[Michaelangelica]

Michael's Infallible Sore Throat Remedy
This is very effective.
Heaps better, and heaps cheaper, than Strepsils Throat Lozenges
Quantities are not crucial.
In a big tea-pot place in
One goodly sized handful of fresh Lemon Thyme
3-5 sprigs fresh Sage (S. officinalis & vars.)
3-6 small Comfrey Leaves
6-10 fresh Violet (V. odorta) leaves
3-5 sprigs of fresh Greek or Golden Oregano (not the rubbish stuff sold in all Oz nurseries).

(You can replace Lemon Thyme with one of the other cooking Thymes (T. vulgaris spp.) but lemon tastes heaps better)
Leave out any ingredient you don't have but the Thyme is essential.

Fill the pot with boiling water. Cover & let seep for ten minutes
Sip hot or cold thought out the day.

If you catch the sore throat early enough this remedy will stop it in it's tracks almost immeditely.

[gemjill]

G'day
thanks for the recipe, currently give my son thyme tea for sore throats and coughs, but will put in your additions next time, seeing as they're out the back anyway
cheers

[chandan20]

Hot lemonade mix with honey relieves the pain quickly. Here's a couple:
- Put 1 tablespoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and do gargle, at least 4-5 times a day.
- You can also have 1 spoon of honey mix with ginger juice. But it should be taken once a day because it’s very strong.
- Instead of water you can do the gargling with betadine or even vodka. They are best in killing bacteria.
- Hot lemonade mix with honey relieves the pain quickly.

[Grasshopper]

Some mountain tea works wonders

Sideritis tea is widespread used against gastrointestinal disorders such as stomache ache, indigestion and flatulence, to alleviate the symptoms of common colds including fever, flu, sore throat, and bronchitis as well as a tonic and diuretic remedy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideritis

[mischief]

I always use cider vinegar and honey at the first sign of a cold, but your tea definitely sounds more tasty.

[Ma&Pa]

Here in Canada we have a remedy made from 4 essential oils. I'll give you the recipe.
Thieves Oil recipes:

Equal amounts of eucalyptus, rosemary, cinnamon, clove and lemon. Mix with base of olive oil. I usually put a tablespoon of each in a 2 oz. bottle and then fill the rest with olive oil. you can make a larger batch in a quart jar following the same proportion method.
Same ingredients, but measured out in different strength's. Clove Bud Oil 200 drops, Lemon Oil 175 drops, Cinnamon Oil 100 drops, Eucalyptus Oil 75 drops, Rosemary 50 drops.

The essential oils contained within this formula have been noted for anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic and anti-catarrhyal properties while stimulating the immune system, circulation and the respiratory system.

Try a diffuser so that you and all your family can benefit from this mixture.

[Michaelangelica]

Here in Canada we have a remedy made from 4 essential oils. I'll give you the recipe.
Thieves Oil recipes:

Equal amounts of eucalyptus, rosemary, cinnamon, clove and lemon. Mix with base of olive oil. I usually put a tablespoon of each in a 2 oz. bottle and then fill the rest with olive oil. you can make a larger batch in a quart jar following the same proportion method.
Same ingredients, but measured out in different strength's. Clove Bud Oil 200 drops, Lemon Oil 175 drops, Cinnamon Oil 100 drops, Eucalyptus Oil 75 drops, Rosemary 50 drops.

The essential oils contained within this formula have been noted for anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic and anti-catarrhyal properties while stimulating the immune system, circulation and the respiratory system.

Try a diffuser so that you and all your family can benefit from this mixture.
That would kill or cure you

[Robert Knops]

A beautiful recipe thank you for it. I alway's use a spoon honey and sometimes a extract of garlic with citrus (it's not very tasty). I would be careful with essential oils, because they are carcinogenic.

[Ma&Pa]

Someoils are mutagenic. Some can be fatal if the dose is large enough. (Just like salt or H2O)

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Eucalyptus+macrorhyncha

If used in reasonable doses though or drops used in a diffuser.... not fatal.

[Michaelangelica]

I would be careful with essential oils, because they are carcinogenic.
I doubt it,oils have very diffident chemical compositions, some kill cancer cells in vitro and are antibiotic and anti-fungal. So such a blanket statement is patently false.
The continual & and ever increasing diet of "plastic" chemicals, one gets in the food chain & water these days, are more likely to be cancerogenic.

But many people use far too much and that is likely to do liver damage. Taking (Internally& frequently) more than a drop or two, of most of them, is reckless. Occasional external use is fine; though I think Ma&Pa's recipe is overkill externally and esp. internally. The fresh herbs I mentioned work like magic, quantities are not critical, and they will not harm, in fact some are quite nutritious.
Everything in moderation?

[wenrolland]

Nice recipe Michael. Do you reckon the herbs could be dried and used as efficiently during the winter? Here in Canada, there is no fresh lemon thyme in winter. Thanks.

[hagiography]

I always use cider vinegar and honey at the first sign of a cold, but your tea definitely sounds more tasty.
I gargle salt water at the first sign of a tickle at the back of my throat. Chasing it up with some apple cider vinegar to get rid of the salty taste sounds like a nice addition.

[eco4560]

Hi wenrolland - Michael is no longer with us to answer your question unfortunately. He'd be here in a flash if he was.

[bluesapphire]

Yes it is very much a loss to have lost Michael.
I would expect the dried herbs would work well if not as good as fresh as some components might be lost in the drying. The previous comments about essential oils ... some are very wrong. Essential oils are very safe when used in the correct dilution and with some specific restrictions regarding pregnancy, breastfeeding and very young children. Ensure they are essential oils not fragrance oils and consult an aromatherapist or recognised textbook for accurate info. Stick to the dilution rate usually not stronger than 3% (50 drops in 100mls) 5% for cleaning ond 0.5 - 1% for children, frail elderly or very sensitive people. For use with children less than 12mths seek advice from a health professional. Oil burners (safety with candles) are fine around young children and with the new diffusers, which are great, ensure they do not mist directly over the child.
Enjoy your use of herbs and oils.
Namaste
Cathy

[wenrolland]

Bless him. Thanks you for your answers.

[andrew curr]

hi wenrolland - michael is no longer with us to answer your question unfortunately. He'd be here in a flash if he was.

wtf?????

[eco4560]

http://forums.permaculturenews.org/showthread.php?16111-Michaelangelica-sad-news

Did you miss this Andrew? :(