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DIY Immune System Support Herbal Tea Blend

DIY Immune System Support Herbal Tea Blend 1
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Our immune system relies primarily on nutritionally dense foods to fuel and support many of its vital functions.

In fact, the great Hippocrates himself said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Giving us the impression that real foods can heal almost any health issue.

Along with…

…the inclusion of medicinal plants — by way of their leaves, berries, flowers, and roots — is a great practice to help ensure optimal immunity.

Historical Uses of the Herbs

If you were to come visit me in my home — especially on these blustery days of winter — I can almost guarantee I would offer you a cup of tea.

This immune system support tea in fact!

The blend always fills a glass mason jar in my tea closet.

I love it because I created it from herbs such as:

  • Alfalfa Leaf — according to the book Nutritional Herbology, alfalfa leaf  is an excellent herbal source of vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, and vitamin B-1. Likewise, it is high or very high in cobalt, riboflavin, fiber, and protein.
  • Elderberries — held in high esteem all around the world, elderberries are known for their outstanding ability to ward off and cure the common cold and/or flu virus.
  • Echinacea Purpurea Herb — has been used historically by many Native American populations. “It is an excellent infection fighter and is used as a powerful natural antibiotic. A great immune booster.” [Read more…]
  • Eleuthero Root — in general eleuthero root is well-known as a powerful adaptogen – that is a herb that helps the body properly respond to stress…a great herb to support the immune system.
  • Nettle Leaf — this highly nutritionally dense herb produces infusions rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Functions beautifully for many as an immune system booster, sedative, and pain reducer.
  • Hibiscus Flowers — an exceptional source of vitamin C and adds flavor to the tea.
  • Peppermint Leaf — soothing and refreshing and imparts a wonderful flavor.
  • Astragalus Root — boosts healthy immune function and offers protection against the flu. [Read more…]
  • Rose Hips — another exceptional source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids. Also gives a yummy flavor to the blend.

Immune System Support Tea

Ingredients
*Use only organically grown or wildcrafted herbs in your DIY herbal tea blends.

Purchasing herbs in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs not only insures quality, but saves a ton of money!

  • 1 part alfalfa leaf
  • 1 part elderberries
  • 1 part Echinacea purpurea herb
  • 1 part eleuthero root
  • 1 part peppermint leaf
  • 1 part rose hips
  • ½ part nettle leaf
  • ½ part hibiscus flowers
  • ½ part astragalus root

Method

  1. Measure the parts of each of the herbs listed (by volume not weight) and mix in a large bowl until well combined.
  2. Grab your tea accessories, tea infuser, and/or tea pots…and brew a cup! (Note: I get all of my loose leaf tea-making supplies online from Mountain Rose Herbs.)
  3. This herbal tea blend will keep stored in a cool, dark place for approximately 6-8 months. (Note: I like to store all of my teas in glass jars with tight-fitting lids.)
  4. Drink 3-4 cups daily or as desired.

Note: I like to prepare large batches of this tea for ease of use (especially during the winter). In order to do so, I make a very concentrated infusion by adding 5-6 tablespoons of tea blend to one quart of water that has been brought just to a boil. Allow tea to steep for 5 minutes. Strain (composting plant material). Refrigerate the concentrate in a glass mason jar. When ready to serve, mix one part concentrate with three parts water. Reheat to serve hot or serve cold over ice.

Where Can I Get This Stuff?

–Mountain Rose Herbs…they have everything you’ll need by way of Organic Bulk Herbs, Tea Accessories, and Natural Products for Healthy, Natural Living! It’s your one-stop-shop!

–Starwest Botanicals and The Bulk Herb Store also carries many of these ingredients and tea-making supplies if you’d like to price check.

–Health doesn’t come from plastic bottles. Vitality grows naturally from the way you live your life. If you want to learn more about herbs as medicine and as food, and if you’re just too busy to enroll in an in-person program, join the Herbal Academy of New England for a comprehensive and convenient online herbal course you can complete anywhere and anytime!

Read more about nutritious herbs for immune system health in the book Nutritional Herbology

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Comments

    • Hi Rebecca! This is a WONDERFUL tasting tea. It has sweet, floral notes with just a hint of cooling peppermint (hard to imagine I know)…but it taste great — my children LOVE it, if that tells ya anything 🙂

  3. Thank you for sharing this. I find it especially helpful that we can make a “concentrate” to blend later. This will get me drinking more often, I had never thought of that before!

  4. This sounds wonderful! I’m just becoming interested in making my own tea blends and I’ll have to try this one!

  6. Thanks for this Andrea! I’m always buying Traditional Medicinals and we’ve been drinking them quite a bit this winter. I’d love to eventually have my own blends handy. I’ve pinned this for later! 🙂

  7. when you buy the herbs, how long do they stay good and how do you store them separately?

    • I’m sure Andrea will have something to say here, but I thought I’d tell you how I like to store my extra. I purchase in bulk (and sometimes dry my own) and so I end up with more than fit into a typical spice jar. So anything that doesn’t fit in my small jar goes into a larger jar and gets vacuum sealed. If you have a food saver that’s a pretty cool attachment you can buy and it’s well worth it for us.

  8. I’m breastfeeding and would like to avoid the peppermint tea. Any suggestions on what to use as a substitute?