Autumn Tea for Soothing Your Soul

How about for once a recipe blog post start with the recipe?

[You're welcome! It's my kids' favorite!] ;D

Now, as you get this recipe simmering you can read the rest of the blog, or wait 'til you're sippin' on your delicious cuppa Autumn tea. This batch was inspired by Rosemary Gladstar, divine herbalist!

Find a pot with a matching lid to fit the amount of Autumn tea you'd like to be sippin' all the day long...

*WARNING! This WILL make your house smell deliciously irrresistible! If you don't want to share then you better make this when nobody else is home! Haha!

I use the follow INGREDIENTS for me and my son:

12 C Water, pure of course

1/4C (10-11 grams) Licorice root, dried/cut (for two people use as low as 2 grams)

4 Cinnamon sticks, short (about the size of an index finger or smaller-ish ;-)

2 tsp Ginger root ground/powder (some kids like less Ginger! My son would like more! Ha! (Normally I use 2T dried/cut Ginger root or less for my daughters and more for my son, or twice as much fresh but I was out of both)!

1/4 C Marshmallow root, dried/cut

1/4 C Echinacea herb, dried/cut (*contraindicated for those with autoimmune issues, replace with dried//cut Violet leaves or Mullein leaves for moistening lymph support)

*(Optional: 1/2C (or 1-2oz of Astragalus root, dried/cut) ...a sweet immunomodulating herb!

(You can of course play with the ratios to your heart's delight)!

PREPARATION:

Add water and herbs to the pot, stirring well and bring to a boil, then cover.

Reduce heat to a low simmer and simmer covered for 20 minutes.

Turn off heat and strain.

This is perfect as-is, but my son likes to add a bit of plant milk!

You could always add a splash of apple juice for a cider vibe as well!

Enjoy thoughout the day, re-heat as desired or keep in a thermos.

You can drink it cold, but when it's finally cooling down outside, I like to warm up on the inside with delicious, warming herbal teas. (I walk at 4:30am and it's FINALLY cooling down here around Phoenix (lows in the 60's:)! WaHoo!

*Also optional, replace Marshmallow root with Mullein herb, dried/cut, or use both! Mullein and Marshmallow are great for the lungs!! I just enjoy the taste of Marshmallow root more. Both are soothing, demulcent herbs and they help to moisten and alleviate the dry, irritated tissues in sore throats and dry coughs.

If you don't want such a demulcent feel, cut back on the Marshmallow root.

These beautiful, nourishing plants are so SOOTHING to my soul, not just dry, irritated (or downright painful) throats!

As I sit with my tea mug cupped in both hands near to my heart, I close my eyes and breathe in that decadent, aromatic steam as deeply as my lungs will allow. I feel my shoulders soften and drop down as my mouth curves up to smile, Thank You.

I feel in these moments my Soul is nourished, my body is protected, my mind sets at ease.

Slow moments of pure delight such as these are for leaning in to living life sensuously.

Abundance lives in this cup

Full of Life.

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is known by many as the Herb of Inner Peace.

A letting go of the need to "should" on others or convince others of anything at all has been won over by the experience of Infinity; the unconditional love and compassion of Spirit proves all life paths bring each of us Home. Licorice root brings an "innerstanding," an allowance for all aspects of your humanity, and harmony from the depths of your Soul. Solitude and meditation are strongly supported by this sweet, nourishing root that supports you in seeing your Inner Light.

Licorice root builds your chi and supports adrenal health as an adaptogen (helps us adapt to stress with more ease and grace ;-).

It's demulcent properties moisten the throat and lungs and, like Elderberries, Licorice root inhibits virus replication and the virus' ability to enter it's host cells thus reducing the duration of colds, flus and covids. Licorice root is a natural remedy that addresses both the root CAUSE of a problem while also soothing and reducing the symptoms of that cause.

Licorice root is known to stabilize hypoglycemic conditions and support digestive health when there are signs of heat and dryness such as painful diarrhea or constipation. It's even been shown to reduce the density of H. pylori.

Licorice root supports skin health and oral health, but also supports your bones and muscle strength!

As if all of this weren't enough, and since the world might be going nutzo, I may or may not be "allowed" to say the truth here but look at this :

Gioti, Katerina, et al. “Glycyrrhiza Glabra-Enhanced Extract and Adriamycin Antiproliferative Effect on PC-3 Prostate Cancer Cells.” Nutrition and Cancer, vol. 72, no. 2, 2020, pp. 320–32. PubMed, doi:10.1080/01635581.2019.1632357.

*Personal Story: My youngest daughter is highly allergic to certain bug bites. A couple of times she has even gotten a red streak moving up her arm or leg. We tried black ointment, colloidal silver, herbal poultices and all kinds of natural remedies, but it was having her drink Licorice root tea that finally did the trick! So now when she gets a funky bite, we still use all the topical supports, but I also ALWAYS give her cups of Licorice root tea to drink throughout the day!

Dosage Suggestions

• Powder: 1–9 grams per day
• Tea/Decoction: 1–9 grams per day
• Tincture (dried root): 1:5, 30% 2–3 mL, three times a day

Licorice root has traditionally, for THOUSANDS OF YEARS, been used as a small portion of a larger herbal blend, not just as a simple.

Licorice Root Precautions:

Licorice root has NOTbeen proven safe for pregnancy and nursing, so avoid during such times.

For some people, taking Licorice root over a long period of time can cause water retention thus raising blood pressure temporarily. If you already have edema or hypertension, avoid Licorice root until you reverse the cause of your issue through diet/nutrition, lifestyle and other supportive herbs.

Licorice root inhibits the breakdown of cortisone and may interact with corticosteroid drugs by INCREASING their effect. Please consult your physician before using!

If you don't like Licorice root, use raw honey instead to sweeten once the tea has cooled down enough to sip. These both have anti-microbial benefits.

Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamon zeylanicum); there's some fire magic in these wands!

*NOT safe in larger, medicinal doses during pregnancy or nursing.

From "The Spirit of Herbs" by Michael Tierra & Candis Cantin we read:

Cinnamon stimulates your inner drive, motivation and focus and does it with warmth and strength rather than coldness, control or force. Cinnamon can temper a tendency to over-reaction, impulsivity, and cruelty while supporting your desire to develop more inner motivation, enthusiasm, and decisiveness.

To me, Cinnamon tastes like luxury and sensuousness and I just have to close my eyes to take it all in... the scent, the rich flavor it adds to SO many recipes, the way it makes me feel beyond blessed!

Cinnamon is such a simple way to bring us to the present moment and steep in the joy of now.

So, even if it didn't do a dang good thing for me, I'd still use it in almost everything! Ha! ;D

Cinnamon bark lives within many herbal categories: energetically it's stimulating, warming and drying with the herbal tastes of spicy and sweet.

Although Cinnamon is a drying astringent herb, it's also a demulcent which means it's mucilaginous and soothing... excellent as part of a dry-cough or sore throat remedy.

Here's a long list of Ceylon Cinnamon benefits:

• Digetstive complaints such as indigestion, gas, loose stools or diarrhea
• Chronically cold hands and feet (Prickly Ash is great for this, too!)
• Viral infections when a person feels cold, clammy, sweaty and/or shivery or when a person is experiencing a hot upper body and cold lower body
• Oral health and better breath
• Anti-oxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-fungal, Anti-bacterial, Antispetic... according to Dr. Jack Ritchason, ND, Cinnamon has been shown effective against Botulism, Staphylococcus Aureus, E. coli, and Candida Albicans.
• Analgesic/anodyne (relives or lessens pain)
• Lowers cholesterol
• Supports weaning process by reducing milk flow (as does Sage)
• Stops uterine hemorrhage and excessive menstrual flow (although I'd also add Yarrow, Shepherd's Purse and Cayenne if I had this sort of problem)... just to be very clear: Women do NOT need to suffer and have heavy or painful cycles. Diet and herbs can reverse that issue!
• Insulin Resistance
• Weight loss

Dosage

Powdered: 1-6 grams/day. (Dr. Barnard suggests about 1 tsp which is typically 5 grams) internally or as a tooth powder.

Decoction: simmered on low for a tea about 20 min, sticks or chips. When I make a 4C batch of Elderberry Syrup then I use 1.4oz of the bark as sticks as one of the ingredients. Dosage of Elderberry syrup is just 1T for adults every 30-60-min. I give my grandkids less than this based on their weight.

Tincture: in alcohol/glycerin mix. For adults, I'd only use this if no other option was available to me and I would not use more than a dropperful in a day.

Special Considerations or Contraindications

• Large amounts of cinnamon are contra-indicated during pregnancy.
• Culinary amounts are considered safe.
• Cinnamon can significantly lower blood glucose levels, so people with diabetes should closely monitor their insulin if they wish to regularly take cinnamon.
• There have been some recent concerns about potentially harmful properties of cassia cinnamon for the liver. If you plan take Cinnamon in large amounts for an extended period of time, I recommend using Ceylon cinnamon.

*Cinnamon is a very effective blood thinner and is NOT advised to take therapeutic doses of cinnamon at the same time as blood thinning medications.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger Spirit supports your earthly endeavors to create practicle, tangible results.

Ginger is a medicinal root that moves all the way up through your energy centers into your throat, the center of self-expression. If there's anything I feel Ginger Spirit really helps you experience, is the fact that your human body in this 3D reality IS the conduit to Source and therefore Ginger supports the self-discipline to establish strong roots for your physical and financial health... resources absolutely required to sustain your Earth life and ultimately fulfill your Soul Purpose for being here in the first place!

If you're anything like me, you wake up thinking and feeling and spiritually connected (likely from a dream or some nugget of intropection you've been contemplating) and perhaps you, too, can sometimes find it super challenging to prioritize the physical care of your body. (Thankfully, I hired a fitness and nutrition coach to support me in this department, quite successfully I might add)!

Ginger root supports proper preparations for your craft, constructive time and scheduling, and an orderly space to create, always remembering to schedule self-care first (nutrition, exercise, rest, sleep, and other beneficial soul-nourishing habits).

Ginger root stokes the fire of your enthusiasm, helping you to feel motivated and get your energy moving to further develop and express your Gifts, talents and skills in contructive ways. Use Ginger root to dissolve stagnancy of any sort, especially negative self-talk like self-doubt and self-criticism.

Ginger root has a pungent taste and drying energetics. The fresh rhizone is both warming and drying while the dried rhizome is hot and drying!

As the quote above suggests, Ginger root can be used for almost everything!

I'll list some usages here:

Arthritis, Bronchitis (chronic), Childhood Diseases, Circulation (poor), Colds, Flus & Covids, Colic, Colitis, Coughs (wet/wet-stagnant), Cramps, Diarrhea, Digestive Disorders/Dysbiosis, Dizziness, Ear Infections, Fatigue, Fevers, Gas, Headache/Migraines, Heart Health, Indigestion, Inflammation, Learning Problems, Menstrual Cramps (due to stagnation), Morning Sickness, Motion Sickness (to prevent), Nausea, Paralysis, Sore Throat, Stomach/Stomach bugs, Toothache, Vomitting, Whooping Cough (also use Vit C to loosen mucus and other herbal strategies)

Dosage

Culinary: can be added in small amounts to both savory and sweet recipes.

Therapeutic dosage of Fresh Ginger root: 1-15g/day

Therapeutic dosage of Dried/cut Ginger root: 3-12g/day

Therapeutic dosage of Fresh Ginger Root Tincture: 1:2, 60% alcohol, 1-2mL in water, 3x/day

Special Considerations

• Ginger's warming and drying actions aren't a good match for someone already displaying signs of heat and/or dryness.
• NOT to be used in large amounts during pregnancy, small culinary amounts are safe and helpful
• People taking blood-thinning pharmaceuticals should work closely with their medical provider before taking large amounts of Ginger regularly because Ginger root is a very effective natural blood thinner.

Marshmallow root (Althea officianalis)

An affirmation I feel connected to with Marshmallow Spirit:

Hippocrates, more than 2,000 years ago revered Marshmallow's leaf poultices and fomentations for their external vulnerary prowess to draw out poisons and debris from wounds while the ancient Egyptians found Marshmallow's internal uses quite effective for sore throats, dry coughs, and relieving the discomfort of dry, irritated mucous membranes.

Marshmallow is the plant spirit personification of Pachamama, or Mother Earth, the ultimate Wise Woman Nurturer. She is powerfully compassionate, focused and gets shiz done! Marshmallow Spirit knows which physical resources are required and puts them to immediate, precise use. She does this without interfering with other's boundaries or decisions knowing that would only leave her depleted through horizontal alignment rather than vertical, ungrounded, and ultimately lead to her doubting her true Nurturing role.

Marshmallow Spirit can help soften and loosen harsh emotions such as grief, anger, fear or even excessive sympathy so that releasing them is done with more ease, grace and loving compassion.

A great herbal essence combination for healing grief could be:

1. Marshmallow (Althea officinalis) (root, leaf or flower)

2. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) (leaf, flower, berries)

3. Wild Rose (Rosa spp.) (petals)

4. Mimosa bark (Albizia julibrissin)

Releasing these harsh emotions is important because people naturally tend to stuff down and choke down their intesne emotions which gets all those feelings buried, stuck, stagnent and lodged in the lungs, solar plexus, throat and more (depending on your experiences and perceptions).

Marshmallow root and these others herbs can really support you to release these emotions so that you can truly take in all the sensuous ecstacy life has to offer...

The sight of sunlight illuminating through a vibrant seasonal leaf (this truly sets me at AWE)...

The scent of your favorite flower or Earth after rain (that never fails to make me smile)...

The sound of your loved ones' laughter (my grandkids' ignite my laughter!)...

The taste of luxury in Cinnamon...

The touch of forest on your skin or your soul mate's... everything ;D

...that feeling of purposefulness in pursuing your passions, leaving a legacy and living your most delicious life...

Ahh, Marshmallow is useful for a great many things! This plant is wholly NOURISHING!

Asthma, bedwetting, bladder, bleeding (urinary), boils, breast milk (increases & enriches), bronchial infections, dry spasmodic coughs, digestive inflammation, dry itchy skin, emphysema, kidney problems, kidney stones, lactation, lungs, nervous conditions, pneumonia, sore and dry mouth and/or throat, urinary tract (inflammation), UV damage to skin, whooping cough, wounds (infected)

Dosage for Internal Use

Marshmallow Root (powdered): 15g

Infusion or Tea: 15-30g (Nourishing Herbal Infusion)

Special Considerations

Marshmallow is considered safe for everyone to use although it is recommended to take it several hours away from taking prescription medications, as it may inhibit or slow the absorption.

Marshmallow may aggravate cold and moist conditions.

Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida

Echinacea flowers are one of Nature's mesmerizing mandalas!

Last summer I had a cold and I was out of stock of most of the herbs I use to take care of myself. I was annoyed but making slow improvement. The sinus mucus looked like a florescent yellow which also made me laugh... I tend to laugh at my humanity quite often! ...Then I had a dream.

Gorgeous purple coneflowers everywhere and the name, "Echinacea" repeating in my dreamtime for what seemed like a magical eternity. Everywhere I turned, everywhere I walked, everywhere my eyes could witness... the beautiful purple coneflower, also known as Snakeroot, was making itself noticed!

Eventually I woke up with an, "Oh!" :D

I immediately read about the Spiritual symbolism of Echinacea and I laughed out loud, literally! Temperance Sagittarius! (I am an idealistic and adventurous Sagittarius who has always struggled with temperance, haha!) But I have never struggled to know my inner values and convictions which this plant also supports! This dream and Echinacea Spirit showed me that I was learning how to create harmony through trial and error amongst the polarities in the world we're all experiencing.

This isn't the first time a plant has come to me in a dream... Lemon Balm, Yarrow, Nettles, Calendula, Elderberries, Black Cohosh, etc... You know, I imagine this is exactly how our ancient ancestors learned which herbs to take and how before humans ever started using verbal language. I believe they also had the power of observation and wide-awake intuitive Guidance as well, but dreaming is SO powerful! I just can never forget when something like this happens! It sets me at awe every time!

The beautiful flower of the Echinacea plant is associated with opening and protecting the 3rd eye (pineal gland), or Ajna chakra (energy vortex) which can transform the energy of the inner vision into tangible artistic self expression.

Artistic or creative expression (to me) is what pours out of us when we are passionate and resolute in favor of something deeply meaningful to us. My hand analysis teacher quoted someone else saying,

Physically... there's such a LONG list of what Echinacea is known to help us with such as:

Prevention and treatment of colds, flus and covids. Echinacea is also used for fevers and lymphatic drainage (swollen lymph glands... one of my kids is prone to those), tonsillitis, for bacterial and viral infecitons, for wound healing, for venomous snakebites and insect stings, for abscesses, acne and boils, for mouth infections and ear infections, septicemia, and warts.

*Some naturopathic doctors say covids create what looks and acts a lot like snake venom in the body and they're using Echinacea as part of their healing protocols to help recover from covids.

Echinacea is safe to use both internally and externally.

*Echinacea has been over-harvested since the 1800's, so please grow it yourself or only purchase cultivated species of Echinacea. If you'd like to learn more about the various plant species at risk, check out United Plant Savers.

Last Summer I had been saving my Echinacea tincture for an emergency in my Herbal First Aid Kit (also known as my kitchen cupboard ;-) When I say emergency, I mean like a hiking or camping trip and someone gets bit by a rattlesnake! But now, here I was about to crack open my precious life-saving elixer to solve my little sinus issue. What was the result, you ask?

I started feeling better that very same day! The next day I kept up the doses despite feeling 99% better... It's important to continue taking Echinacea for a few days (about 4 days) after feeling better and symptoms cease.

Dosage

Echinacea Tincture: 3-5mL (about 1/2-1tsp) every 1-2 hours when sick. This is the adult dosage, so adjust by weight for children based on 150pd adult. I dilute this in a shot glass with 1-2T of water.

*[I tell you this because the "Suggested Use" on an herbal tincture bottle from the store will likely read something like, "Take 30 drops 2-4 times per day." (Psst. The FDA does not ask skilled and experienced herbalists what the actual safe and effective dosage should be and yet the FDA controls the labeling... hmmm ;-) And let me just say, 30 drops is only effective if you're a 50 pound child, but 2-4x/day is NOT enough when dealing with an infection! It's gonna be more like 8-16 times/day (every 1-2 waking hours). I dilute alcohol tincture for my kids and grandkids in a tiny bit of juice. Obviously they prefer glycerties. ;D]

Echinacea Tea or Powder: up to 3g daily

YOU CAN TAKE ECHINACEA EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE, THOUGH!

IT'S THAT SAFE!

When using for prevention then you can cut way down on the dosage amount and frequency.

Special Consideration

*Echinacea is safe for all ages, pregnancy and nursing, adjust dosage for children by their weight.

*"Concerns regarding the use of Echinacea species in these conditions (tuberculosis, leukosis, collegenesis, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, HIV infections, and other autoimmune diseases) are theoretical and definitive data supporting or refuting an association of Echinacea with autoimmune symtom exacerbation are lacking." -- Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd Edition, pg. 313.

*Allergic reactions may be due to Asteracea family pollens being present in Echinacea flower products, however not likely when the products consist of roots or leaves.

Astragalus root (Astragaluspropinquus (syn. A. membranaceus)

Astragalus is referred to as “The Magician” and “The Herb of Creativity” by herbalists Michael Tierra and Candis Cantin. Astragalus root protects your energy from deep within and pulsates outward to guard and bolster your electromagnetic auric field… I imagine it works like a force field!

The Inner Magician is felt through increased energy and the ability to focus and concentrate on channeling your fantasy thoughts of a better life into physical reality right here, right now – known as “creative transmutation” or “manifestation.” If you find you’ve been lacking passion, focus, drive, enthusiasm, or life force energy but have a dream vision locked away somewhere in your mind, then Astragalus root is for you! It bridges the gap between ideas and reality.

Astragalus root supports your Divine Inner Union or Divine Inner Masculine and Feminine abilities to Be Inward and receive inspiration (Feminine aspect) and then take that inspired action outward for your manifestation (Masculine aspect).

Astragalus root helps us heal what’s in the way so that you have the energy to evolve and fulfill your Soul’s agenda for this lifetime.

Astragalus root's energetics are slightly warming (less heating and stimulating than ginseng (Panax ginseng) and has the herbal taste of sweet.

Plant Properties of Astragalus Root

Adaptogen, Antibacterial, Anti-hydrotic (stops sweating), Anti-hypertensive, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Anti-tumor, Anti-viral, Cardioprotective/Cardio-tonic, Diuretic, Hepatoprotective, Immunomodulator/Immunostimulant, Pectoral, Tonic

Plant Uses
Adrenals, Anemia, Angina, Arterial function improvement, Asthma, Blood builder – supports increased production of new blood cell formation, Bone Marrow & Bone Builder, Cancer: anti-tumor, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, Cardiomyopathy, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Diabetes, Digestion (strengthens), DNA protection, Edema, Epstein-Barr virus, Fatigue, Growth or Height in abnormally short stature is increased, Hepatitis, Hypertension, Immune System Dysfunction (from frequent colds and flus to cancers), Improve Insulin Resistance, Inflammation, Kidneys, Liver, Menopausal hot flashes/spontaneous sweating, Postpartum Fever due to Qi and BloodDeficiency or severe blood loss, Prolapsed Organs, Nephritis from Lupus Erythematosus, Skin – decreases hyperpigmentation of skin, Tuberculosis, Ulcerations due to deficiency, Urine flow promoted, Wound healing, and believe it or not, SO much more!!

Plant Preparations

Capsule, Cooked with food in muslin bag, Decoction, Powder, Tincture

Some combinations:

1. Astragalus root and Reishi mushroom decoctions (Immune system)
2. Astragalus root, Milk Thistle seed ,Schisandra berries and Turmeric root (Liver)
3. Astragalus root, Ligusticum and Ginseng (longevity, neuroprotective, anti-aging)
4. Astragalus root, dang shen (Condonopsis pilosula), Chinese privet (Ligustrum lucidum), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Himalayan Rhodiola (Rhodiola sacra) *Kidney failure – improved function and size

Dosage

Dried/Cut, Sliced roots, or powder: 10-30g/day (30g is about 1/4C of dried/cut root)

Tincture of dried root: 3-5mL/day

*For Best Results, Astragalus root is taken long-term… this is one I’m taking for the rest of my
life!

Special Consideration

I would NOT take it during a fever or other signs of constitutional excess heat.

The Botanical Safety Handbook reads, “The T-cell-stimulating activity of astragalus could, theoretically contradict the effects of immune suppressant drugs such as cyclosporine and
corticosteroids.”

In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Astragalus root is both a Spleen Qi and Lung Qi tonic.

Spleen Qi improvements look like renewed energy, increased appetite, improved digestion and lifts prolapsed organs.

Lung Qi improvements look like significantly decreasing the frequency of colds, flus, and viral infections, improved breathing even for those with Asthma, and decreasing spontaneous sweating. If
you have allergies or asthma plus dull skin and prone to illness, Astragalus root is for you!

***If you've gotten this far in this blog, you deserve an AWARD! Haha! This is some detailed, in-depth, herbalist "training" you just finished! :D ***

I offer an online course for Shamanic Herbalism if you're as obsessed with Plant Spirits and their medicinal actions, too!

If you'd like to learn more and wanna connect with me for a free consultation to study Shamanic Herbalism or simply get my help to heal yourself from whatever ails you, please call or text me at:

480-259-7140

E-mail: Theresa@11thHourShaman.com

Enjoy your cuppa tea!

Theresa