Drinking a warm, soothing cup of tea when feeling under the weather not only provides a medicinal purpose but it also helps put you in a relaxing state. This tea blend can be enjoyed while sitting in a warm bath right before wrapping up and going to sleep. It contains notable immune boosting herbs that are safe for children.

• Echinacea has long been used for treating colds as it has many important immune-stimulating actions including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and restoring healthy function to the body.
• Thyme contains carvacrol which is responsible for the antimicrobial properties. Other constituents of thyme help to relax the respiratory muscles and stimulate a wet or productive cough to encourage mucus expulsion.
• Elderberries are great tasting and full of vitamin C. They have anti-viral properties and help to remove excess mucus by regulating quantity and quality of mucus in the respiratory system.
• Ginger is a diaphoretic which means it will encourage sweating with the onset of a cold to assist the body in fighting the pathogen. It is also a good choice when feeling nauseated and its anti-inflammatory properties are soothing to sore throats.
• Lemongrass can be added for its strong and delicious flavour; however, it too has medicinal properties desired when treating a cold.

Recipe:

1 part Echinacea

1 part Elderberry

½ part thyme and lemongrass

Ginger to taste (approx. 0.5-1 inch per cup)

Use one heaping teaspoon of dried herb for every one cup of boiling water, half teaspoon per cup for children under 12 years old. Steep water and herbs for approximately 10 minutes; may need to add ice cubes for children to cool liquid enough to drink. Consume one cup three times a day. Some tea companies like Traditional Medicinals have great organic tea blends that are conveniently packaged, steep one tea bag per cup for at least 10 minutes.

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