The Herbalist Prepper

The Herbalist Prepper, Recipes

Well, we are quickly looking at fall and winter right around the corner and this turns me to wanting immunity boosting warm drinks.  I’ve got the perfect recipe for delicious Hot Cocoa, with an immunity boosting twist….

With cold and flu season looming before us, thoughts turn to building up our immune system so that we can hopefully get through the season unscathed.  And who doesn’t like Hot Cocoa? 

Cocoa ImmuniTea

Ingredients

3 tablespoons roasted cacao (powder or nibs)
1 tablespoon dried elderberries
2 tablespoons Astragalus root
1 cinnamon stick
3 ¼ cups water
Raw honey to taste
Milk or milk alternative to taste
Reishi, cordyceps, or other immune-boosting tincture (optional)

Directions

• Decoct cacao, elderberries, Astragalus and cinnamon in 3 ¼ cups cold water, keeping at a low boil for about 15 minutes.
• Strain out the herbs and pour into mugs.       Add milk and honey to taste, if desired (with the cinnamon, you might not need any additional sweetness!).

Directions

• Decoct cacao, elderberries, Astragalus and cinnamon in 3 ¼ cups cold water, keeping at a low boil for about 15 minutes.
• Strain out the herbs and pour into mugs.
• Add milk and honey to taste, if desired (with the cinnamon, you might not need any additional sweetness!).

Elderberry:  Elderflower and elderberry are both exceptional allies during colds, flu, and respiratory infections due to their diaphoretic and antiviral actions. Taken as a hot tea (or tincture), elderflowers move energy and qi outward by stimulating circulation and promoting sweating, removing toxins from the body and reducing fever after its work of killing pathogens is done. Elderflower is also anti-inflammatory, anti-catarrhal and expectorant, and helps in cases of colds, sinusitis and sinus allergies to reduce inflammation of sinus tissue and allow for the movement of congestion. Research reviewed by Ulbricht et al. (2014) suggests that “herbal preparations containing elder may result in less swelling of mucus membranes, better drainage, milder headache, and decreased nasal congestion.” Elderberry is also effective for coughs and congestion associated with lower respiratory viral infections, promoting expectoration of mucus associated with bronchial infections.

Astragalus : Astragalus is also an immunomodulator, meaning it strengthens the immune system and helps the body’s natural capacity to maintain wellness. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, astragalus is used to strengthen the wei qi, which is an energy that protects against imbalances caused by external influences, or in other words, long-term strengthening of the immune system (Winston, 2007). The polysaccharides in astragalus support and stimulate the immune system via several mechanisms. Herbalists Guido Masé and Deb Soule suggest taking astragalus regularly in the fall and winter to strengthen immunity and keep colds, flu, and bronchitis at bay (Masé, 2013). Astragalus possesses antiviral activity, and is active against influenza A, herpes simplex, Coxsackie hepatitis B, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and several other viruses (Buhner, 2013; Winston, 2007). 

Astragalus is an adaptogen, meaning it increases the body’s ability to resist and cope with stress, be it physical, mental, or emotional stress, adapting to the stressor instead of succumbing to it. Astragalus nourishes and supports the adrenal glands, which produce hormones that regulate the body’s response to stress. As a nourishing tonic, astragalus is immune building as well as immune restorative. It is used for rebuilding the immune system after an illness or long-term stress, and helps those in weak, depleted states regain strength and vitality (Masé, 2013). For those undergoing radiation or chemotherapy or other situations in which a person is immunocompromised, astragalus can help rebuild the immune system (Foster & Johnson, 2006).