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Protect yourself from the flu: Staying Healthy with Tea and Food

Ever wonder why our ancestors drank tea? Was it to purify the water? Why did they add herbs? To add taste? But was there another reason they had tea?
With the Covid-19 Flu pandemic sweeping the world what can we do to keep healthy beyond the public health advice of washing your hands etc?
Plants have natural compounds that work together in a synergistic and gentle way when taken correctly. Vitamins like vitamin C, minerals like zinc and polyphenols that help boost our immune system.
Echinacea: has been shown to support our immune system and is used to for upper respiratory infections. A cup of this tea daily can help boost your immunity.
Garlic: A substance called allicin is created when fresh garlic has been crushed. Allicin has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties that can help fight the viruses that cause the flu. Adding freshly crushed garlic to soups, stews and pastas before serving with a slice of garlic buttered bread can help and tastes good too. For those who can tolerate the strong taste, it can be drank as a cold tea. Steep a whole crushed bulb in 3 litres of water for 6 to 8 hours.
Vitamin C foods: Red peppers, orange, yellow and green bell peppers, citrus fruits, organic lemon slice in cold or hot water, strawberries, kiwi, guava, broccoli, snow peas, kale and tomatoes.
Zinc: High zinc foods are beef, chicken, pork, mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, oysters, nuts, lentils oatmeal, tofu, hemp seeds and yogurt.
Cruciferous Vegetables: Contains sulfur, a mineral that can help support the immune system as a part of the antioxidant called glutathione. These foods are kale, cabbage, Brussel sprouts cauliflower to name a few.
Juniper Berry Juice: Can inhibit an infection from different types of viruses but cannot be used by people that are pregnant, have kidney issues or have pollen allergies. Soak the berries in water for 2 hours to soften. Then cook in boiling water for 30 minutes, let cool and drink. Not to be taken for long periods of time.
Gravel Root / Joe Pye Weed: For relief of fever and upper respiratory infections this herb can be taken as a tea. This tea can be drank often, 1 cup every 30 minutes but not for more than 1-2 days.
Ginseng: If you do feel a cough or fever coming 1 cup of this tea can alleviate these symptoms. Limit to 1 cup per day as this herb can cause depression, headaches, nervousness and insomnia if too much is taken.
Licorice: This herb can help soothe a sore throat and soothe a cough. A syrup can be made by boiling down the liquid and adding honey. One to two teaspoons can be taken to relieve a sore throat. Do not take this if you are pregnant, have heart, kidney issues or high blood pressure.
Cedar: For respiratory infections cedar leaves can be boiled and used to steam 2-5 times per day. This can be taken as a tea but 1/4-1/2 cup per day only and not used by pregnant or breastfeeding women nor a person with kidney issues.
Let's all eat and drink a nutritious diet and avoid processed foods during this unsettling time to stay healthy, hydrated and able to fight any viral or bacterial infection.

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