Are you as confused as me at all the hype about flu shots? Not too long ago when I was a kid (I’m not all that old yet 😉 ) if you contracted the flu, you were miserable for a while and then got over it. Now, I scratch my head in confusion at the pressure put on everyone to get a “flu shot,” especially considering that the possible side effects of the vaccine are worse than getting the flu itself, and the flu vaccine has never been proven to be effective.
What does make sense to me is the fact that no one wants to contract an illness that puts life on hold for a while, and one that can also become dangerous for certain people. The good news is that you can help prevent the flu naturally with no harmful side effects! You can also lessen the duration of the flu if you do come down with it!
One good way of helping to prevent the flu is by making flu tea. What is flu tea? It’s simply a mixture of herbs that work together to do a great job of helping to prevent and ease the symptoms of the flu virus. You don’t have to live in misery for days with the headache, muscle fatigue, fever, coughing and a general feeling of being useless for a while. Flooding your body with the nutrition it needs during sickness sends you on the mend before you know it!
Note: This tea is safe for breast feeding, but do not add the yarrow if using while pregnant.
Flu Tea Recipe:
3 parts red raspberry leaf
2 parts peppermint
1 part alfalfa
1 part nettle
1/4 part yarrow flower
Combine all the herbs in a container. Add 2 tsp. of the herbal mixture to a cup of boiling water. Remove from heat. Cover and let it steep for 15-20 minutes. Strain the herbs from the liquid.
*I recommend making a gallon pitcher and keeping it in the fridge to drink daily during cold and flu season. If a person comes down with the flu, it’s a good idea to drink one cup of the tea each hour to keep the flu virus from invading the body. I dare say you may be free of any flu symptoms within 24 hours by hourly nourishing your body with these amazing herbs!
Image by Darin Barry</span rel=”nofollow”>
About the Herbs
Red Raspberry – It may surprise some to see that red raspberry is a great thing for the flu. Most people associate this herb with pregnancy and female complaints. While red raspberry is great for those conditions, it is also anti-flu and is full of vitamins and minerals to give the body the nutrition it needs to be on the mend.
Nettle – Boosts the immune system and is a significant source of vitamin C, vitamin A, silicon, calcium, potassium, chlorophyll and more.
Peppermint – Adds flavor, helps relaxation and digestion.
Yarrow – Excellent herb for the flu, and naturally reduces fevers.
Alfalfa – Has 8 essential amino acids and is very high in chlorophyll. Alfalfa is used in many herbal combinations because it allows rapid assimilation of all the plant elements.
Flue Tea
Ingredients
- 3 parts red raspberry leaf
- 2 parts peppermint
- 1 part alfalfa
- 1 part nettle
- 1/4 part yarrow flower
Instructions
- Combine all the herbs in a container.
- Add 2 tsp. of the herbal mixture to a cup of boiling water.
- Remove from heat. Cover and let it steep for 15-20 minutes.
- Strain the herbs from the liquid.
Are you using dried raspberries or the leaves?
When you make a gallon pitcher of it do you drink it like iced tea?
Thanks!
The greatest part about this is that I have all these herbs on hand now (except for Yarrow) since I mix my own pregnancy tea! So should really be sharing my tea instead of hogging it all for myself. Is Yarrow safe during pregnancy? This would save a lot of time from brewing two separate teas.
Thank you, I cannot say enough how much I appreciate all the hard work and research that goes into the information you and your contributors provide.
Found you via Jill Home Remedies. Been spending a little bit too much time looking around and really enjoying myself. Thanks for all the informative posts.
I am wondering if the leaves from the wild raspberries growing here {northern MN} are the type I can pick and use for teas? My mother and I were just wondering this and wishing we could put them to use. If yes ~ when is the best time to harvest the leaves? Thanks! =)
Yarrow is an uterine stimulant and is not recommended during pregnancy. Thanks for the question!
Is this safe for baby while breastfeeding?
Thanks.
This is so interesting! I’ve been drinking tons of red raspberry leaf pregnancy tea, and completely avoided the cold my husband got. I’ll have to encourage him to have some of “my” tea next time he’s feeling sick. 🙂
Are all these herbs safe while breast feeding???
Would this be safe to give to children? I have a 2 year old and a 9 month old and we are all trying to fight off a nasty cold that has been lingering. I am trying my hardest to avoid the doctor/antibiotic route. Thanks
From what I understand, yarrow, peppermint, and red raspberry leaf shouldn’t be taken during pregnancy unless you WANT your uterus contracting, like at the very end of pregnancy. Might want to add that into the post, there are lots of preggies on here, I am!