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Foodie Friday: How to Create Your Own Herbal Tea Blends (Plus a Recipe!)

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Mary 2 comments

Few things bring comfort to my mind as much as a warm cup of herbal tea on a crisp fall day. As the temperatures drop and leaves turn, my morning routine has begun to steadily include a mug or two of my favorite herbal delights! It is soothing, helps me slow down a bit and awakens me for the day, but even better, this liquid supports my body with vital nutrients and encourages my healthy immune system. How blessed we are that something so good for us is also so delicious.

While mixing blends is something anyone can do, there is some art to mixing a tea that is not only delicious but provides the nutritional support you need. You can have some delicious teas that lack nutritional density, or you can have a bitter stout teas that work beautifully but are literally hard to swallow! Learning to select a careful balance of herbs that have both taste and active properties, and that pair well, is the key.

Often herbs or spices fall into both categories, such as Cinnamon, Elderberries, Lemon Balm, and Hibiscus. They are all very nutrient dense while being quite tasty as well. Using these along with a more herbaceous tasting selection helps to cover the less delectable flavor and take your cup of grassy flavored water to a new level of bold fruity or spicy flavors.

When crafting an herbal tea, start by selecting your target outcomes. For example, if you’ve awakened with a scratchy throat and want to soothe and lend nutritional support, you’ll want to select herbs and spices to support throat health.

These could include (but definitely are not limited to) Slippery Elm Bark, Marshmallow Leaf or Root, Mullein, Cinnamon Bark, Elderberries, Hibiscus, Rosehips, Elderflower, Licorice Root, Garlic, and Cayenne. Now a big infusion of these herbs might help the sore throat, but wowzers! It might be really hard to get down.
Selecting a few of the powerful favorites and then pairing them with some flavorful teas will make a sip you will not only benefit from but enjoy drinking.

From these, I suggest selecting several that have historical benefits for the throat; Slippery Elm, Mullein, Marshmallow and Licorice Root would be my base. I’d use equal parts of each, and then add Cinnamon Bark, Orange Peel, Lemon Balm and Clove to help lend a little flavor. Licorice Root’s spicy warmth helps marry the flavors between the two groups.

Here’s a recipe for my favorite Throat Love Herbal Tea Blend.

2 Tbs Slippery Elm Bark
2 Tbs Mullein
2 Tbs Marshmallow Leaf
2 Tbs Licorice Root
1 Tbs Cinnamon Bark
1 Tbs Orange Peel
1 Tbs Lemon Balm
1 Tbs Cloves

Mix together and store in a dark glass or metal container. Use 1-2 teaspoons per cup. Steep in freshly boiled water for 10-15 minutes. Sweeten with honey or stevia to taste. Enjoy!

Herbal tea blends can be quite expensive, with some specialty blends costing as much as $50 or more per pound. A pound will make quite a few cups of tea, but knowing how to blend your own teas allows you to create your own unique flavors while going easier on the budget.

We would love to hear your favorite blends or recipes! Try out some of Beeyoutiful’s Tea Blends and let us know what you think.

Happy Tea Drinking!

Mary Ewing, Family Herbalist

How-To Tuesday: 8 Ways To Soothe a Cranky Ear

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Mary Leave a comment

There is nothing worse than a cranky ear that won’t let you rest… except maybe your little one’s tired, cranky ears. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to watch what they eat, remove food items that seem to trigger ear problems, and make sure they don’t get water in their ears while swimming, it seems that occasionally our little ones still end up bothered by a painful ear.

Here are a few things that have worked in our family to help soothe cranky ears and let us all get some rest!

Important note: If you even suspect the eardrum might be ruptured, do not put anything into the ear and contact your care provider immediately.

1. Slice off the top of an onion and, using the stem and outer skin as a handle, hold the onion up to the offending ear. Typically within a few minutes the discomfort disappears.

2. Good digestion can often help you avoid cranky ears. Our littles take a digestive enzyme and probiotics daily.

3. Eliminate common trigger foods such as wheat, dairy, soy, and sugar from the diet.

4. Try steam inhalation with dried or fresh herbs (remember the nasal passages and ears are connected!). In a large heatproof bowl, place 1 oz of each or some of the following herbs: Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Elder Flowers, and/or Spearmint. Pour very hot or boiling water over the herbs and let steep for 1-2 minutes. As it steams, drape a towel over your shoulders and head, leaning over the bowl to trap the steam and direct it more easily as you breathe. (Be very careful to avoid steam burns!)

5. Sip on some tea made from equal parts Lemon Balm and Mullein. It is yummy and soothing! Add some honey for extra comfort.

6. Use a clean sock filled with uncooked rice and then warmed in the microwave to apply gentle heat to the ear (keep the heat mild; overheated rice packs can irritate and even burn the skin). One of our Beeyoutiful teammates also recently tried this using Coarse Rock Salt instead of rice; the salt seemed to work faster and hold a gentle heat longer, and the added minerals may also be beneficial.

7. Use Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils, diluted with Sweet Almond Oil to gently massage around the ear and neck.

Ear and Neck Massage Oil

Mix together in small bottle. Massage around ear and neck. For external use only; Do Not Put This Blend Inside the Ear!

8. For soothing of a very cranky ear, try using Garlic Oil or Mullein Oil.

Garlic Oil

4 cloves garlic
1/8 cup Olive Oil

Simmer at lowest possible heat for several hours. (Do not let it burn!) Strain and store infused oil in a dark glass bottle. Use 2 drops per ear, as needed. Store for no more than one month. This recipe can also be used on the bottom of the feet, spine, and neck to help boost immunity.

Mullein Oil

2 oz Dried or Fresh Mullein
2 cloves Garlic
2 oz Olive Oil or other carrier oil

Mix all ingredients in a glass jar and let sit for 1-2 weeks, shaking occasionally. To speed up the process for immediate use, you can cook over the lowest heat possible on the stove for 30 mins to 6 hours.) Strain and store infused oil in a dark glass container. Use 2 drops per ear, as needed. Store for no more than 1 month.

Important note worth repeating: If you even suspect the eardrum might be ruptured, do not put anything into the ear and contact your care provider immediately. Massages outside of the ear and on the lymph nodes around the ear and down the neck may continue to be helpful, but never drop anything into an ear that has a ruptured eardrum!

My Herbal First Aid Kit

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Mary Leave a comment

One of my greatest pastimes is to meander through the halls of history museums and, as a nurse by profession, I always spend a great deal of time in front of the medical exhibits. The archaic tools, the vials of powders, a doctor’s entire practice encased in a small leather bag or wooden crate; it all fascinates me. I could spend hours perusing these items from behind the glass walls.

Recently, I was engrossed in an exhibit from the Civil War period when my daughter pointed out that all our favorite herbs were in the case in front of us. She was tickled pink to see little glass jars of Plantain, Turmeric, Mullein, and Lobelia, as well as two rows of additional herbs. She’s an avid history buff too, and we both were reminded that at home we were using the tools of our great-great-grandparents (and those that came even before them). Here are a few of my favorite ways to use these ancient but modern resources.

TURMERIC

This beautifully deep yellow powder is rich in benefits. We mainly keep turmeric for culinary uses when we are feeling under the weather, or just for fun because we love spicy Indian food! The main active ingredient is curcumin, which is very rich in antioxidants, making turmeric a great way to boost immunity and soothe your symptoms while sick. We add a teaspoon or two to our soups, especially when struggling with congestion or coughs. We also highly suggest sipping on Liquid Gold Coconut Milk when under the weather; it’s a Beeyoutiful favorite!

Liquid Gold Coconut Milk

1 can of Coconut Milk
1 1/2 cups of water
1 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp Cinnamon
2 tsp raw honey or maple syrup (Can substitute with a few drops of Stevia if needed)
Tiny piece of fresh, peeled ginger root (or ¼ tsp ginger powder)
Tiniest pinch of cayenne pepper (generally omitted for kids, but included in the adult version!)

Add all ingredients to a small saucepan. Use an immersion blender to thoroughly mix all ingredients together while it gently warms on medium heat (or blend at high speed in a regular blender before heating in a pan). Serve and drink immediately.

RED RASPBERRY LEAVES

Another personal favorite! It has long been prized for women, especially those preparing for childbirth, but did you know that red raspberry leaves are also beneficial to your body during periods of colds or flu? While it does not impact the virus directly, the herb has astringent properties which help to soothe throats, aid the body as it clears the mucus, and restore balance. When we’re sick at our house, we limit food intake to fresh fruits and vegetables, and then drink Red Raspberry Leaf Tea liberally throughout the day. To make it more palatable for littles, I occasionally add a bit of raw honey and some frozen raspberries and blend well.

Yummy Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
1 cup dried Red Raspberry Leaves
1/2 cup Rosehips
1 cup Frozen Raspberries
Honey to taste
Boil 3 quarts of water and pour over Red Raspberry Leaves and Rosehips. Let steep for 5-20 minutes, then strain and add honey and frozen raspberries. Use immersion blender to mix well. (You can also use a traditional blender, once the mixture has cooled.)

PLANTAIN

Plantain is a first rate “First Aid” plant that is usually close at hand, wherever you may be. While my children love to pick plantain leaves fresh from the yard to chew and then drape over their cuts, scrapes, and insect bites, during the winter months they are not as readily available and the dried leaves come in handy. A cup of strong plantain tea can be drunk to help calm indigestion, and a small wad of the bruised leaf placed next to the gum can have a calming effect on a toothache until it can be attended to by a dentist.

MULLEIN

Mullein‘s gentle nature makes it one of the very best herbs for use with children’s health challenges. Mullein in the wild is absolutely beautiful; its soft lamb’s ear-like quality just begs to be handled, and is another great herb to grow in your yard to have in plenty! It combines wonderfully with Chamomile, Catnip, and Lemon Balm where appropriate, and can be used to soothe a wide variety of childhood ailments.

Mullein has a folk history of use that focuses on respiratory complaints. It has traditionally been used to calm coughs and colds. Mullein is considered the herb of choice for lung ailments; individuals who struggle with ongoing lung issues have reported positively when using Mullein, usually in a tea. Its pleasant taste blends well with others.

And last but not least to round out my favorites:

LOBELIA

Lobelia is one of the most powerful emetics known to the herbal world, and it also has fantastic benefits for respiratory issues and sore throats as well. Used in conjunction with Mullein, it has become one of our family’s favorite remedies to pull out when we first start feeling a ticklish throat. We use it in small amounts in our teas (1/2 part lobelia, 1 part Mullein, and 1 part Spearmint, steeped in 1 cup of hot water, sweetened with honey and taken twice a day), but our favorite way to use Lobelia is with Mullein in a fomentation wrapped around the neck. (A fomentation is something like a tea for the outside of the body: a steeped herb is used to soak a cloth, which in turn carries the herb’s benefits through the skin.)

Soothe the Throat Fomentation

1/4 cup Lobelia
1/4 cup Mullein

Steep both herbs in 8-10 ounces of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain and then take cotton cloth (I have used old cotton diapers and cut them into four inch wide strips lengthwise) and soak them in the strong liquid. Wring out until damp but not dripping and then wrap around the throat. This can be worn for several hours and then switched for a fresh fomentation. This can be used until the discomfort has been eliminated. To protect the clothing or bedding, wrap a piece of plastic wrap over the fomentation to hold it in place, and cover with a soft cloth.

This just barely scratches the surface of the benefits that these herbs bring to our lives. Hopefully even this introductory view will pique your interest! For more in-depth information, I invite you to check out Beeyoutiful’s selection of books about herbs (beginning with Nutritional Herbology) and begin your herbal education journey today.

BONUS POST: 10 Simple Immune-Boosting Strategies Anyone Can Use

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Beeyoutiful Mary Leave a comment

You knew we’d come through with more than we promised, didn’t you? Here’s a BONUS POST in our Five Days of Immunity Boosters. Let us know which of the strategies discussed this week is your favorite!

The key to staying strong is a healthy immune system. These ten suggestions are the protocols that many of us at Beeyoutiful use to guard our own families against viruses, colds, and flu. We are not doctors and thus cannot diagnose or prescribe for your specific health situation. If at anytime you or a loved one becomes ill, please seek appropriate medical attention. 1. Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables. We’re talking about 5-7 servings per day. Consider serving things like cole slaw (especially if you can sneak in a little probiotic-rich yogurt and honey), steamed cabbage, and sautéed onions and brussels sprouts. Adding garlic or fresh herbs to these dishes will not only enhance the flavors, but will also add a small antiviral boost. Cruciferous veggies contain glucosinolates which directly stimulate the thymus. Your thymus is the control center for your immune system, so supporting and nourishing the thymus is very important for maintaining a healthy stasis.

2. Supplement with thymus and immune system-supporting nutrients. The following are some favorites used by our Beeyoutiful families. We tend to pick and choose between all of these options and rotate among them based on individual needs and specific immune system vulnerabilities.

Berry Well Syrups: Supports and nourishes the thymus gland and helps support the immune system in specific ways that makes it particularly beneficial in protecting against viruses. In addition, the elderberry provides terrific symptom relief by decreasing congestion.
Immune Boosting Supplements (Bee Immune, Ultra Immune and Colostrum Transfer Factor): You can take these in conjunction with each other, but we rotate them on and off while doing illness prevention protocols. Since up to 80% of our immune system resides in the extensive intestinal tract we refer to as the gut, also using high-quality probiotic support makes sense. We rotate between Tummy Tuneup and Ultimate Defense.
Key Nutrients: Make sure you are taking in or supplementing with Zinc, Selenium, Potassium, and Calcium and Magnesium.

3. Vitamin D3 and Omega 3: There was a reason our grandmothers reached for the Cod Liver Oil bottle with each sniffle! It works to specifically support the parts of the immune system that effectively fight off viruses, and it’s also beneficial in reducing inflammation. You can either take these separately, or combined in Cod Liver Oil. Cook your foods with coconut oil and eat a diet rich in safe, wild-caught fish as well.

4. Vitamin C: We have seen significant benefits from Vitamin C with lung-related ailments; eating your Vitamin C-rich vegetables or supplementing will help decrease mucus and increase lung health. Rosehip C is specifically good because it also directly supports the thymus gland to operate optimally.

5. Bone Broth: Keep those bones a-simmering! Add in a few herbs such as Rosemary, Thyme, Sage and Garlic. Don’t forget the veggies too! This is a great way to get key vitamins and minerals. Some of our little ones really enjoy sipping warm cups of nicely flavored bone broth. For some of the others we hide it as a base in soups, rice and noodles.

6. Bottoms Up: Take in fresh juices regularly. Here’s a favorite recipe. 7. Get some clean air! Enjoy some fresh sunshine and a few minutes of daily exercise. Using a personal rebounder is a great way to stimulate the lymphatic system which operates as the central highway system for the body’s immune system. It’s vitally important to keep it cleared out and working optimally in order to maintain healthy immune support. Bonus: rebounding also gets your exercise in at the same time!

8. Detox Baths: At least once a week, take a bath using a detoxifying agent (such as Eucalyptus Bath Salts, Epsom Salts, or Baking Soda).

9. Chest Poultices: These can be used weekly even when healthy, or as needed after being sick. Garlic, Lobelia, Chamomile, or Mullein are all great choices for chest poultices. Click here to see Steph’s 8-minute tutorial video on how to do a garlic poultice.

10. Diffuse those oils! Bandito Blend, Thyme, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, and Tea Tree Oil are our top choices. These can also be diluted and massaged onto feet where there are a lot of nerve receptors and thus are ideal for facilitating rapid absorption into the bloodstream. (Please note that some essential oil experts recommend not diffusing or using some of these essential oils around or on very young children. We encourage individuals to do their own research and do due diligence in sensitivity testing before using any essential oils on young children or while pregnant and nursing.)

Remember, we’re not doctors and thus cannot diagnose or prescribe for your specific health situation, but we hope some of these tips will help keep you and your family strong and healthy through the winter. If at anytime you or a loved one becomes ill, please seek appropriate medical attention.