By Jordan Bruce, RHN
I love the taste of Genuine Tea’s Organic Immunity Tonic. I brewed a cup, steeped it covered for four minutes and sipped for the very first time. It’s full of beneficial herbs, but doesn’t taste like it! My first thoughts are comfort in a cup, sweet yet a little earthy, very easy to drink. This is going to be my new Fall and Winter staple beverage to help ward off bacterial and viral bugs.
Let’s dive into some of these gifts from the land.
Let’s begin with echinacea, which has been traditionally used for cold and flu prevention and treatment. Research shows the flower, stem and root to be an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral. Echinacea is the immune enhancing and lymphatic supportive herb. It’s great for upper and lower respiratory support so keep this tea on hand for colds, flus, pneumonia, sinusitis, coughs, bronchitis and ear infections. It’s also great for skin conditions (psoriasis, acne) and swollen lymph glands due to its lymphatic system magic. Check in with your primary practitioner if you have an autoimmune disease.
Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is beautiful for supporting our nervous system as it’s adaptogenic. If you’re stressed or feeling depleted, lean on tulsi. In nutrition school, a teacher recommended tulsi for exams to calm the mind, body and spirit. ‘The elixir of life’ is also antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral anti-inflammatory, an expectorant (for coughs), immunomodulator and a nervine. It’s also helpful for digestion, blood sugar balance, liver detoxification and even cancer support.
Elderberries are dark purple berries that give this tea its rich colour. It’s another immune supportive herb ally with antiviral benefits. You may have seen elder used in kid’s cough syrups as a more natural healing remedy.
Rosehips come from the very well known rose plant. In the early Summer months, you’ll see wild rose petals bloom. The petals will fall to the ground by summer and red rosehips start to grow for Fall. Rosehips are known for being high in Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps immunity.
Lastly, I can’t write about this medicinal tea without touching on ginger. You likely know it for its stomach soothing and nausea crushing powers. You’re probably not surprised to hear that ginger is also antibacterial and antiviral. Even the simple act of cutting up ginger and steeping it in hot water can be helpful if feeling under the weather. I recommend ginger for colds, sore throats, bronchitis and even asthma. As a gut health nutritionist, ginger is amazing for increasing weak digestion, bloat and flatulence. Ginger brings warmth in the middle of a cold winter.
Cheers to getting less colds and being sick for a shorter period of time! Share this secret weapon with your friends and family.
