UPPER RESP-INFECTION TEA

I always make a quart of this at a time, and sip it in very very small portions throughout the day...say a tablespoon every half hour...sort of like a slow drip. Normal usage is about 1/2 cup three times a day. Keep refrigerated or cool. Remains effective in refrigerator from 48 to 72 hours. My measurements would be considered highly conservative. They equal about 1 teaspoon of herbs per cup of tea beverage. Many herbalists would recommend doubling the herb amounts to the same amount of water.

1 tsp. dried chunks Echinacea root

1/2 teaspoon dried chunks Slippery Elm bark-soothes throat and digestive tract.

1/2 teaspoon dried chunks Wild Cherry bark-expectorant for coughs

1 teaspoon dried Thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon Dried Sage leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried Honeysuckle flowers

pinch of Cayenne...to taste

4 cups of pure water, with enough extra to account for evaporation during preparation.

1. Place Echinacea, Slippery Elm and Wild Cherry in non-aluminum pot and cover with water. Bring to boil and lower to slow simmer, covered, for 10 to 20 minutes (the longer, the stronger). Strain herbs out.

2. Place the other herbs in a 1 quart container that has a cover, pour the simmered tea over them. Cover and steep for 10 to 20 minutes.

3. Strain and drink in above recommended doses. Adding cayenne helps clear mucus and empower the medicinal activity of the other herbs. Other additions might include cinnamon, fresh lemon, fresh ginger slice, honey.