Echinacea Tea - Immunity Booster Tea

Echinacea has long been used as an immuno-stimulator, which means stimulating the body’s immune system to ward off infections; it has a long history of being used to fight cold, flu and infections.

It is also believed that Echinacea tea can shorten the duration of a cold by an average of 1.4 days.

It’s best recommended to drink Echinacea tea when you notice the first sign of a cold.

Echinacea seems to contain activate ingredients that decrease inflammation, which might reduce cold and flu symptoms.

Some of these compounds may be directly antimicrobial, while others may work at stimulating or modulating different parts of the immune system.

The root has been promoted as containing a more efficacious mixture of active chemicals, but the roots are bitter and are usually made into a tincture. So you can use the other parts of the plant (leaves, flowers) which are just as effective as the roots and have milder flavor.

You can use for the Echinacea tea either fresh herb parts, or if you don’t have them on hand, use dried parts from your local health store.

Easy and Effective Echinacea Tea Recipe

·        1 part fresh Echinacea parts (leaves, flowers, roots). If using dried parts – see instruction at the end of the recipe.

·        1 part grated ginger root. Ginger is anti inflammatory and is used to treat cold and flu as well. It also tastes great and gives the tea a distinctive flavor. If you want to add more herbs for taste, such as lemon balm or mint, the main idea is to have more Echinacea than the other herbs in order to get the most benefit.

·        Lemon and honey to taste (or stevia leaves)

Infuse the Echinacea and ginger for 15 minutes in boiling water and make sure to put the lid on the teapot while it steeps. Allowing the Echinacea tea to steep with the lid on the teapot makes sure the herbs don’t lose any of their medicinal properties. Lemon and honey are recommended, as they give a great taste.

If you use dried herb – put 1 teaspoon of dried Echinacea in a teapot. Add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to the teapot. Pour two cups of boiling water into the teapot over the herbs. Let it steep for 15 minutes. Once it’s done steeping, add 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and honey and mix it in well.

It is recommend to drink Echinacea tea at first sign of cold, 2-3 times a day for up to 1 week, or until the symptoms improve. When taken by mouth, Echinacea does not usually cause side effects.