Heal All Herbal Mix

9/17/2013

This herb blend has been around a very long time and can be found in just about every herb book you can open. Each herbalist calls it something different and I have even given it my own name. My kiddos refer to it as sick syrup (because they know it in glycerite form) and I like to call it "Heal All" because it seems to do just that. No matter the ailment I always use this blend, many times combining it with others. It is the number one thing I make sure to have on hand going in to cold and flu season. It is especially good for naturally reducing fevers and boosting the immune system to aid the body in combating cold and flu symptoms.

The Recipe

Mix equal parts of the following herbs:
Peppermint (could also use spearmint) - nausea, vomiting, pain reliever, and fever reducer.
Elder Flowers - Known for their immune boosting properties which makes it ideal for any type of sickness, especially colds, coughs, and flu symptoms. It is also great respiratory herb.
Yarrow (leaves and flowers) - One of those "heal all" herbs, great for reducing fevers and healing digestive problems. It stimulates circulation and aids the respiratory system, making it a great winter illness herb.

How To Prepare and Use Heal All Blend

Herbal Infusion

The simplest method for using this herbal blend is through an herbal infusion (tea). At the onset of cold or flu symptoms administer 1/4 cup of tea every half hour for up to 4 cups a day.

Bath and Foot Soak

If you are not a tea drinker (or your children aren't) then here is another method to "take your tea". For instructions on how to use an herbal tea as a bath or foot soak, click here. I find this method particularly useful for reducing fevers. Just make sure to have the "patient" drink lots of fluids while in the bath, the body will be perspiring a lot and the fluids will need to be replenished.

Glycerite/Tincture or Syrup

My number one way to use this herbal mix is through an herbal glycerite. I keep this in my fridge year round and we use it weekly. We call it "sick syrup" around here and the kids are always requesting it for when they have tummy aches or don't feel good. They have even requested it for cuts and scrapes! Because it is made withvegetable glycerine, it is sweet and they love the taste of peppermint so it is not a fight getting them to take their "medicine".

For acute conditions administer two dropperfuls (infants one dropperful) every hour until symptoms subside. For fevers I usually give it more often, even up to every 15 minutes. I will also give it whenever the children request it, even for cuts and scrapes.:)

Here are the instructions for making a glycerite, traditional tincture and herbal syrup.
Tincture/glycerite
Herbal Syrup

Fresh is always best so I wanted to get my "Sick Syrup" ready for winter using the fresh herbs I have in my garden. I just planted Elder this spring so it is not producing flowers yet so I purchased dried Elder flowers from Mountain Rose Herbs and just mixed it with my fresh herbs. All the herbs in this blend can be purchased from either Mountain Rose Herbs or Bulk Herb Store.