Here in New England, snow is flying, temperatures are hovering in the teens, and lots of us are greeting the New Year with sniffles and coughs. The following recipe for a warming herbal infusion tea is from the book Healing Tonics by Jeanine Pollak and is a great choice if you want to fortify yourself against winter "bugs." It can also be used as an antiviral for acute colds and flu, and it tastes good, too!
Ray’s Warming Winter Brew
Ray Swartley is a lifelong holistic somatic massage practitioner, herbalist, gardener, and trailblazer living in Big Sur, California. He is a member of the Esalen massage and teaching staff and teaches workshops in massage, herbology, and experiential awareness practices at Esalen and throughout Europe. Ray looks to nature's systems and their inherent healing capacities, which support awareness, understanding, and change. He uses yoga and meditation techniques as a preparation for experiencing the healing properties of herbs and essential oils.
Ingredients
2 parts fresh lemon balm
2 parts fresh catnip
2 parts fresh sage
2 parts fresh thyme
2 parts grated fresh gingerroot
1 part fresh or dried rose hips
½ part licorice root
Make an infusion of these herbs by following the directions below.
How to Make and Use an Infusion (from Leaves and Flowers)
A type of herbal tea, an infusion is made by steeping the herb's leaves and flowers in boiling water.
To make:
1. Measure out 1 to 2 ounces (about ½ to 1 cup) of dried herbs per quart of boiling water. If using fresh herbs, double the amount of plant material. Combine the herbs in a pot.
2. Pour 1 quart of boiling water over the herbs. Stir well, cover, and steep for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Strain, and sweeten lightly with honey if desired.
To use: Enjoy 1 to 4 cups of infusion per day, depending on the formula and the condition being treated. Generally, 1 to 2 cups per day are used for a tonic dose, while 3 to 4 cups per day are drunk for a medicinal dose (for example, acute colds or flu).
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