SISTER WISDOM

I like being naturally healthy. But first,

The Disclaimer:

I’m not a doctor or a medical professional or a certified herbalist or anything of the sort. None of the advice or information provided here is intended to be medical advice. Use common sense, talk to your doctor about illnesses or persistent symptoms.

There, now that’s done, let’s get on with it shall we? First a little primer:

Infusion

An infusion is basically a strong tea made of fresh or dried herbs. To make a single dose, steep 1 teaspoon of the dried herb in 1 cup of hot water. Sweeten with honey. To make enough for a day’s dose, steep 1 ounce of a dried herb in 2 1/2 cups of water. Sweeten with honey, if desired, and give in three doses.

Giving the infusion with meals (or right after) makes it easy to remember. You can serve it cool or warm. If you sweeten it with honey, kids love it, generally speaking. Some infusions have a stronger flavor than others.

Approximate Dosage for Infusion
Single Dose: 7 ounces (approx. 1 cup) of an infusion
Daily Dose: 7 ounces of an infusion, three times a day (total of 21 ounces)

Decoction

A decoction is a more concentrated liquid. To make a decoction, you simmer your infusion down to about 1/4 of its original volume. Usually letting an infusion simmer for about 10 minutes does the trick; then turn off the heat, cover it, and let it steep for 3 minutes or until cool.

Decoctions works better when kids don’t like the infusion. A single dose of a decoction is much smaller than that of an infusion, because decoctions are more concentrated.

Approximate Dosage for Decoction
Single Dose: 2 ounces of a decoction
Daily Dose: 2 ounces of a decoction, three times a day (total of 6 ounces)

Syrup

A syrup is probably the easiest way to get kids to drink it down, because basically a syrup is a thicker, very sweet decoction. I’ve found that my kids will take almost anything if it is sweet enough.

To make a syrup, combine 2 1/2 cups of an infusion or a decoction with 4 tablespoons of honey. Bring it to a boil and boil slowly until the mixture turns syrupy. Decant into a jar with a tight-fitting lid, and store in the refrigerator. Follow the dosage for an infusion if you made the syrup with an infusion, or for a decoction if you used a decoction. I prefer to make syrups with a decoction, because then the kids need less for each dosage and the syrup will last for a week or so before it’s used up.

Children’s Immune Builder Syrup

5 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
2″ piece of ginger root, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon anise seed, crushed
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon whole cloves
3 tablespoons dried chamomile (flowers or tea)
2 quarts of water

Combine all the dry ingredients. Bring the water almost to a boil, then take it off the heat and pour it over the herbs and spices. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain the infusion so only the liquid remains, then return it to the stove and simmer for about 10 minutes to reduce the volume. Turn off the heat, cover, and let steep for 3 minutes. Add 4 tablespoons of honey and return the mixture to a slow boil. Stir continually during this stage. Let the mixture remain at a slow boil until it starts to thicken, then remove from heat, let cool, and decant into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the refrigerator. Follow dosage amounts for a decoction.

Smart Prevention in Cold/Flu Season

I like to make the immune builder syrup when the weather gets chilly and the colds and flu bugs start going around. I give my kids a dose every night and if they get runny noses or anything, I give them a dose three times a day. They love it because it is sweet (all that honey).

You can make it sweeter, by the way, if you want to… however much honey you want to use. If you have a honey allergy, you can use glycerin. You can also sweeten with plain ol’ sugar, but you won’t get a thick syrup that way.

Garlic Benefits

The garlic in the syrup sounds disgusting, but all the other spices are milder and the sweetness tones it down, so the kids don’t rebel at “garlic syrup.” I know garlic loses some of its potency when it’s cooked as in this syrup-making process, but I haven’t really figured out a way to make a syrup without the heating process. I guess I could add the minced garlic just at the end and strain the syrup again… maybe I will try that next time.

Garlic is, as far as I can tell, perfectly safe for children. It is antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antioxidant. Yay for garlic. Eat lots of soup with garlic in the winter; add it just at the end for maximum effect and fresh flavor.

Ginger Benefits

Ginger is also safe for children. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties, and can assist in pain relief. Crystallized ginger can be handy for teething kids (older ones) to chew on. Not so great for babies who will choke, so only use for kids who can handle solids.

Chamomile Benefits

Chamomile is mild and slightly sweet. You can grow your own, harvest, and dry it quite easily. It’s not what I deem a beauty but it’s easy to grow in a container or raised bed or, really, any sunny spot in the yard. You can also buy chamomile tea almost anywhere; just check that it doesn’t have a bunch of other stuff in there too. Pay for a good-quality chamomile tea, organic if possible.

Chamomile has a mildly sedative action; it’s very relaxing just as a cup of tea. It also relieves gas and cramps, which is why it’s sometimes used in colic treatments. I’ve also read that it’s is anti-inflammatory for the mucous membranes.

Next time you have a cold or sinus infection, drink down those hot cups of chamomile tea. Add honey to soothe your throat and lemon for its antibacterial action. It tastes good, the warmth is soothing, and you’ll be helping ease your symptoms and get rid of the germs.

Anise Benefits

Anise smells like licorice and has the same flavor. I think it’s great in syrups and decoctions for kids, because when you combine the licorice, sweet flavor with honey or sugar, you get a natural herbal treatment that tastes like candy. Yum.

Anise is said to work on preventing indigestion and flatulence, but the reason I use it in syrup for my kids is its expectorant action. It helps relieve those nasty coughs, and it is also mildly antimicrobial. I like having it in the immune builder syrup because I figure it helps get that mucus out before it builds up and causes nasty congestion.

Cinnamon and Cloves Benefits

Cinnamon and cloves, like anise, make the flavor of the syrup much better and help mask the garlic taste. But they serve other purposes too; cloves, according to Louise Tenney, M.H., is “one of the most powerful germicidal agents in the herb kingdom.” Why hasn’t anybody come up with clove hand soap yet? Cloves can also help increase circulation and help relieve pain. Clove oil is sometimes rubbed on the gums of teething babies.
Cinnamon is great. It makes fabulous cookies, cakes, and toast, and it’s good for you. Get the best cinnamon you can find. It’s worth the extra money. Cinnamon has been studied and found to contain “a substance that kills fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms” ((Rodale). I’ll take that, thank you. It tastes good and it helps get rid of nasty things in your body. Eat more cinnamon. Try it on toast with butter and honey.

References:

Louise Tenney, M.H., “Today’s Herbal Health.”

“Rodale’s Book of Herbs”