Soothing Boost Tea for dry, sore throats
My homemade Throat Coat Tea dupe for supporting your immune system and keeping your throat warm and hydrated
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When it gets colder and drier out, our bodies may do the same and naturally start to slow down, thus the dawn of cold and flu season. Dry air outside and in our homes can dry out our noses and throats, making way for airborne viruses illnesses to thrive and slow us down even further. Here is an herbal tea blend that I mix in bulk and drink throughout the season on my days home to support my immune system and help moisten my throat and respiratory tract.
The Blend
Oatstraw or Milky Oat Tops • rich in vitamins and minerals, and serves as an a adaptogenic nervine, meaning consumption of this herb over time can support the nervous system and stress―another factor in our body’s immune response
Elderberries • immune modulator rich in vitamin C and anthocyanins to fight inflammation and support a healthy immune system
I also have a recipe for my version of an immune-supportive Elderberry Syrup. Check it out here!
Orange Peel • did you know that the rind of any citrus holds the most vitamin C?
Licorice Root • lubricating and moistening for the throat, and adds a light sweetness to any blend of herbs
Dried Ginger Root • a mainstay herb to have on hand for immune support
Dried Rosemary • may ease respiratory congestion and soothe sore throats, rosemary is also antimicrobial and antioxidant, boosting immune response
Astragalus Root • popular in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Astragalus is an energy and immune booster―giving your body’s immune response an extra boost to defend against illness when you need it most
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New to herbalism? So was I at once, until I slowly built up my home apothecary of herbs to use for multiple purposes. If it’s not doable for you to purchase all of these herbs right now, pick a few that speak to you from what I shared of their benefits, and slowly grow your own home apothecary. You may even have two of the herbs I listed―ginger and rosemary―already in your kitchen.
I’ve found that buying herbs in bulk tends to be the most economic. I get most of my herbs from the Frontier Co-Op or Starwest Botanicals brand on iHerb. You can use my code KEN8980 for 5% off every order at iHerb.
You can also purchase them in smaller quantities from some shops and sellers—I encourage you to see if you may have any herb shops near you! A local Philadelphia favorite of mine is Penn Herb Co. on Spring Garden and 2nd streets. Some other places to check for loose leaf herbs include MOM’s Organic Market, Sprouts’ Farmers Market, your local health food store, and Amazon. Do an “herb shops near me” search on Google or Yelp!
Soothing Boost Tea
Infusion time: 6-8 minutes
What you’ll need
Two parts (example: 2 tbsps) each of:
milky oat tops or oatstraw
dry elderberries
orange peel
dried rosemary
One part (example: 1 tbsp) each of:
dried ginger root
licorice root
astragalus root
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Notes
Using dried ginger and rosemary allows for you to store this dry herb blend in bulk. You can also skip the dried and add fresh ginger and/or rosemary to your tea whenever you make it, however having the dried versions of these herbs on hand may prove helpful for other uses!
Quantities will vary depending on how much you are making in bulk. You may try a small batch or single serving (1 tsp of the first four herbs and a 1/2 tsp of the last 3 roots) and make one cup of tea in a tea strainer. This way you can taste test it and adjust the blend to your liking.
Making it
Add all herbs to a pint sized mason jar or container and give it a good shake to mix. Some herbs may settle to the bottom over time―that’s okay, just give it a shake or mix again if needed the next time you want to make tea.
Using it
A good rule of thumb for working with herbal blends (vs. singular herb) is to use no less than 1 tbsp per 8 oz of liquid, this way you get as much of each herb in the blend as possible. You can adjust this to be more potent if you’d like by one half to one full tablespoon, especially if you could use the extra support. When I make a small pot of tea as shown above, I generally add 2 tbsps to the teapot’s infuser. Be mindful that herbs will expand once infused in the hot water.
Pour over hot water and let brew for 6-8 minutes―letting it brew for longer creates a stronger infusion to benefit from. Enjoy with sweetener of choice (honey pairs well with this, and/or monk fruit or stevia extract) and a squeeze or splash of lemon juice if you’d like. Best enjoyed warm for that comforting support.
Always start with the lower recommended serving when you are new to an herb to ensure that you won’t have any reactions to it. The herbs included in this infusion are generally safe in the quantities presumed by this recipe’s usage.
Enjoy, and drink in good health!
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Yours in wellness,
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