Soothing Ginger Licorice Tea

Oftimes, during cold and flu season people are looking for a quick way to soothe their throat, tummy, and warm up at the same time. I know I am! Ginger has soothing properties for the tummy, while having that wonderous ability to warm you up. I love it! It also help with arthritis, heartburn, and headaches. Licorice Root has many healing properties such as helping with asthma, cough and cold symptoms, particularly a sore throat by reducing irritation and inflamation. It even helps with arthritis and depression.

• 2 quarts water
• ¼ cup Licorice Root
• 2 table spoons sliced Ginger Root
• Honey to taste (optional)

1. Fill a pot with 2 quarts of water
2. Add the licorice root and fresh ginger
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour tea through a small mesh strainer or cheese cloth into a mug, add the honey when cooled slightly, and serve.

Honey and Lemon Cough Syrup

A new Twist on the Old Honey and Lemon Mom used to make. My mom always gave me honey and lemon tea when I had a cold. Here's a recipe for Honey and Lemon cough syrup. To make it even better, My little one LOVES it!

Take ½ teaspoon (children up to 25 lb). 1 teaspoon(children 25- 50 lb) 4 times a day or as often as needed. Adults can take 1 tablespoon as often as needed.

Put a pint of honey in a pan on the stove on low heat (Do not boil honey as this changes its medicinal properties) .

Take a whole lemon and boil in some water in a separate pan for 2-3 minutes to both soften the lemon and kill any bacteria that may be on the lemon skin. Let the lemon cool enough to handle then cut it in slices and add it to the pint of honey on the stove. Let mixture cook on warm heat for about an hour. Then strain the lemon from the honey making sure all lemon seeds are removed. Let cool, then bottle in a jar with a lid and store in the refrigerator. This syrup will keep for 2 months in the refrigerator.

Elderberry Chocolate Cough Syrup

Elderberry is a wonderful immune booster and kids usually love the taste. Pure Chocolate works really well as a cough suppressant. I borrowed this from Natural Mom, Healthy Child.
Ingredients: •1/2 cup of cocoa powder (preferably organic,non-alkaline) •1 cup elderberry juice •1 cup honey •1 pinch of large salt •1/4 tsp vanilla Mix the cocoa and the elderberry juice in a saucepan. Heat and stir to dissolve the cocoa. Boil for 3 minutes over medium heat. Add the salt and the vanilla. While still warm, but not too hot,  add the honey and stir to dissolve. Let cool. Pour into a sterile glass jar,and store in the refrigerator. Keeps for several months.
Yields two cups. You can also use store bought elderberry syrup, heat it up, and add 1/2 cup cocoa powder to one cup syrup

Take 1 tsp. every 2 hours(for children) or 1 tbs. (for adults) during the day, and 2 tsp (children) or 2 tbs.(adults) at bedtime. 

You can also use store bought elderberry syrup, heat it up, and add 1/2 cup cocoa powder to one cup syrup