No one likes to have a cold! The stuffy nose, sore throat and maybe coughing, it can drive you nuts! But what can you do once you have it? Lydia has put together some tips that will help you relieve some of the typical cold symptoms. -Bethany 
Tip #1:
My mom has found a super easy recipe for natural cough syrup. You can take a spoon full of it straight or mix it with some hot tea. I prefer the tea method. When I tried it, it really soothed my throat! Here's the recipe.


Cough Syrup

1/4 cup Olive oil
2 Tablespoons Lemon juice
3/4 cup Honey

Mix all the ingredients together and store in a glass jar.

Tip #2:

If you feel a cold coming on, drink apple cider vinegar diluted in water. It will lessen the effects of the cold. This can also help while you actually have the cold but it isn't pleasant for a sore throat. 

Tip #3:

One of the best ways to relax your throat and stop coughing (When you CAN'T stop coughing) is to suck on really dark chocolate (80% or darker). I know sounds like it would make you cough more but it really helps! 
 
Tip #4:

Have a vaporizer in your room at night. If you like to use essential oils; peppermint, tea tree and eucalyptus are some great oils to put in the vaporizer's cup.

Tip #5

Hot soup also helps. Bethany made up a really good recipe for soup, she is going to post about it soon.

Tip #6

Make sure you're getting enough sleep!

These are some tips that my family finds helpful.

If you have any tips or suggestions please share them!

Blessings,   

Lydia

Last week in my herbalism studies, one of my projects was
to create an herbal tea for pregnant women.

In my experiments, I made both hot tea and iced tea. Both
of them worked well with the same proportions.

3 parts red raspberry leaf
1 part peppermint leaf
1 part alfalfa
1 part nettle

Two cups of herbs for one gallon of iced tea.
Two tablespoons of herbs for one cup of hot tea.

I used honey to sweeten the hot tea and stevia to sweeten the iced tea.

This tea is good to use during the whole pregnancy. It is also very good for people in general,
several in our family have been drinking it the past few days.
 
First I had to find some common pregnancy concerns, and herbs that would help to remedy them.

 Pregnancy Concerns 
Anemia:             
Needs-                        
     Iron-peppermint, red raspberry leaf, alfalfa                         
     B vitamins- peppermint, red raspberry leaf                   
     Vitamin C- Nettle, red raspberry leaf
 
Insomnia:             
Needs-                         
     Calcium-peppermint, nettle, red raspberry leaf, alfalfa                         
     Magnesium-peppermint, red raspberry leaf, alfalfa
 
Leg cramps:
Needs-                         
     Calcium-peppermint, nettle, red raspberry leaf, alfalfa
     Magnesium-peppermint, red raspberry leaf, alfalfa
 
Much of the following information came from the
"How To Herb book"
by Velma J. Keith and Monteen Gordon

Peppermint 
 A delicious mild tea. Good for all digestive problems, helps stomach pain caused by indigestion
and is soothing to the stomach.
Excellent for fevers, flu, diarrhea, ulcers, and colitis.
Strengthens nerves and heart muscles.
Cleanses and tones the body. Can be used instead of aspirin for headaches.

Can take the place of coffee for a stimulant.
Promotes relaxation.
Has been used to help colds, digestion,  nausea, nerves and stomach.

Peppermint is high or very high in; calcium, iron, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, protein,
riboflavin, thiamine, and vitamin A

Nettle is a great tonic herb that has chlorophyll in high yields and is rich in iron, calcium, potassium, silicon, magnesium, zinc,
 manganese, dietary fiber, protein, and chromium. It is also a significant source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A.
It is an excellent reproductive tonic, and is useful for vitality and energy.

Internally it is used to treat:
Anemia, High blood pressure, and many other things.
Nettle relieves fluid retention, helps to prevent varicose veins and hemorrhoids, strengthens the kidneys and adrenal glands and increases breast milk.
 
Red Raspberry Leaf 
Lots of Vitamin C and Calcium
Red raspberry leaf is the herb of choice for pregnancy, and for women’s health.
It is filled with essential minerals and vitamins like magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, selenium, silicon, sulfur, and vitamins C, E, A, and B complex.
It also contains easily assimilated calcium and iron.

Red raspberry leaf is packed full of nutrients that a pregnant woman needs.
It helps provide, Miscarriage prevention, Increased fertility, Alleviation of morning sickness Reduced labor pain, 
and Increased lactation.
 
Red raspberry leaf is the best single herb that we can take for total uterine health.
There is a long list of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that the uterus needs to work efficiently.
Red Raspberry leaf has virtually all of them.
The most popular use for Red raspberry leaf tea is for  mama and baby’s health throughout pregnancy.
It provides your uterus with a nourishing source of vitamins and minerals that are vital to a healthy pregnancy.
This really helps to lower and sometimes eliminate cramps from the menstrual cycle and also makes for an easier birth.

Red raspberry leaf tea is full of a naturally occurring calcium that is easily absorbed by the body.
In the smooth muscle of the uterus, calcium controls the depolarization of the cells.
That in turn, allows the uterine muscle to receive oxygen and work efficiently.
In other words, without a sufficient supply of calcium, only part of the uterine muscle will work as it should.
This would strain the rest of the uterine muscle beyond reason, generating heat and stress on an already taxed body.

So, to review, Red raspberry leaf;     
Strengthens wall of uterus and entire female reproductive system             
Is good during all months of pregnancy.              
Alleviates morning sickness and nausea.              
Has been used as a preventative for hemorrhaging during labor             
Assists labor, making delivery easier and relieves after pains
Tones and regulates before, during and after childbirth
Increased and enriches milk for lactation
Soothing to stomach and bowels.           
Raspberry tea is mild and pleasant to taste             

Red Raspberry leaf is a high mineral and vitamin source. It strengthens the uterus, and can be taken during the entire
pregnancy safely.

All this makes red raspberry leaf one of the best bases available for this tea.
I love this naturally occurring herb that God created for women’s health.

Alfalfa herb has been called the “king of plants” since it is extremely rich in vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, sodium, potassium, silicon, and trace elements.
It has eight essential amino acids and the highest chlorophyll of any plant.
Alfalfa is used as a base in many combinations and vitamin formulas because it permits rapid assimilation of plant elements.
It is most popular as a blood purifier and as a cure for all inflammations.
You should avoid alfalfa while taking blood-thinning agents
 
Alfalfa is a good source of carotene (Vitamin A) and a little known vitamin- Vitamin K,
the blood clotting vitamin which has been known to help peptic ulcers and helps avoid excessive blood loss in the mother and  developing baby. Alfalfa also helps to increase breast milk.

Alfalfa prevents tooth decay and helps rebuild decayed teeth, and contains natural fluorides.


As you can see, these are just a few of the amazing plants that Yahweh made for us to help care for our bodies.

Naomi