Respiratory relief tea – cold infusion phase
Ingredients
3 parts slippery elm
1 part marshmallow root
4 parts room temperature water
Directions
Combine slippery elm bark and marshmallow root
Cover with the water, and allow to steep at room temperature between 4-8 hours.
Strain, reserve liquid, and discard the plant material.
Store cold infusion in the refrigerator for up to 2 days if needed.
Use this as the water for the decoction phase.
There are concerns with slippery elm, as it is an endangered wild plant. If you can, buy organic. That should ensure that it came from a managed population, not from a wild population that might have been overharvested. Otherwise, feel free to substitute Siberian elm instead, or just use 100% marshmallow root.
A quart mason jar will allow for 1 cup of plant material and 4 cups of water. This is the correct ratio of plant material to water, and the jars have easy-to-read measurements on the side of each jar.
Use cut and sifted instead of powdered forms. Powdered slippery elm and marshmallow will be much more difficult to strain out. It’s a mess. Ask me how I know.
Decoction phase
2 parts elecampane root
1 part clove
1 part licorice root
Blend these herbs together, and then use:
1 part decoction herbal blend (above)
4 parts cold infusion (Cold Infusion Phase above)
Add all ingredients to a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. In about 15-20 minutes, the liquid will have reduced by half. Strain out the plant material, and return the liquid to the pot.
Please note, you will have slightly less than four parts of your cold infusion after straining out your herbs. I just add extra water to make up the difference.
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Hot infusion ingredients
Blend the ingredients below. It will make a lot, so you’ll only have to do this step again when you run out.
If you are using 1 cup = 1 part, you will end up with 13 cups of herbs. You will use 1 cup (1 part) of the blend each time you make the entire Respiratory Relief Tea recipe.
6 parts hyssop flower
3 parts mullein leaf
1 part colt’s foot (aerial parts)
1 part speedwell
1 part spearmint leaf
1 part thyme leaf
Once you have returned your decoction to the pot, bring the liquid to just before boiling. Turn off the heat and add 1/2 cup of the herbal blend. Cover and steep for 15 to 20 minutes.
Strain out the plant material, add a sweetener (optional) and sip the tea as needed for relief from respiratory symptoms.
Q.