Can you make your own Echinacea tea?!
Question:
Can you make your own Echinacea tea?
Which species of Echinacea are best to use and which parts of the plant? What benefits does it have for humans?
Answers:
Hi, Echinacea it is mostly found in the Northern Plains and has been used by Native Americans for its healing power in herbal medicine. The Indians used the mashed roots on everything from wounds to snakebites. It was used as a mouthwash to help with painful teeth and gums. They brewed Echinacea herbs as teas for colds and other maladies, like measles and arthritis. The Indians prized this herb for its value in herbal medicine. They thought that the echinacea herb was a blood purifier. Now it is popular in treating upper respiratory illness. It is becoming increasing popular in reducing itch and to soothe the skin.
Why it helps so well with colds and flu. Antibiotics kill the disease that causes sickness, echinacea on the other hand boosts the immune system, to be specific echinacea boosts the production of macrophage an aspect of the immune system that engulfs bacteria and viruses killing them. Macrophage is the body’s first defense against invading bacteria and viruses. Echinacea also helps enhance the function of monocytes, blood cells that mature into macrophage.
You can make tea - for this use steep the teabags in the boiling water in a teapot, for 8 minutes. Discard the teabags and add the honey to sweeten. Stir and serve immediately in teacups.
Also if you have are tea bags from shop. The best way to make a good tasting cup of tea is by the Infusion method. Place one tea bag into a cup and add no more than 6 oz. of boiling water. Let it steep for 3 minutes and remove the bag. Press the bag before removing to enhance the flavor. Add honey to sweeten.
It is most important to always check with your doctor before starting any herbal medicine regime.
Jason Homan