Living through a pandemic has no doubt brought the idea of staying healthy to the front of people's minds all over the world.
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A key thing to look at when thinking about your health, is how to keep your immune system healthy.
This can happen in a range of ways, including drinking cups of herbal brew daily.
I like to call it ... "immune-a-tea" and it only needs a handful a great herbs.
The best news, all the herbs you need for this tea are really hardy and quite easy to grow.
The five herbs you'll need
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Peppermint (Mentha piperit)
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
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How to make the tea
Pick equal amounts of the above plant, specifically the leaf of lemon balm, thyme, peppermint, the flower of the calendula and the leaf and flower of the yarrow.
Put them all in a large tea pot, add boiling water and cover it with a lid to steep for at least 10 minutes.
Then drink one to three cups per day for maximum immune boosting benefits.
Can you use dried herbs instead?
Yes! If you're not able to grow your own, you can buy dried herbs from a shop.
How these plants help
Thyme leaf
Thyme leaf can help as a lung tonic, is anti-bacterial, antispasmodic (for coughs) and a relaxing expectorant (helps loosen mucus).
Peppermint leaf
Peppermint leaf is helpful for digestion, is anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic and a diaphoretic (induces fever).
Calendula flowers
Calendula flowers offer anti-inflammatory qualities, help with wound healing, are immune stimulating and anti-bacterial.
Lemon balm leaf
Lemon balm leaf may relieve anxiety, is antiviral, helps digestion, helps lift mood and is a diaphoretic (induces fever).
Yarrow leaf and flowers
Yarrow leaf and flowers are a diaphoretic (induced fever), tonic and has adaptogen qualities for relieving stress.
How do I know this?
I consulted with our local naturopath Moncia Fancia from Goulds Naturopathica and Hobart Herbalists Without Borders, who provided this recipe.
We wish you all good health.
- Hannah Moloney and Anton Vikstrom are the founders of Good Life Permaculture, a landscape design and education enterprise regenerating land and lifestyles. Hannah is also the author of 'The Good Life: How to Grow a Better World'.
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