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Defend Your Immune System with These Plant Medicine Recipes by Erin Lovell Verinder

Image: Erin Lovell Verinder. Photography by Georgia Blackie.

You may have heard whispers of the healing abilities of plants. Perhaps your grandma used to prepare sage-leaf gargles for a sore throat, fresh aloe vera was applied to a knee scrape, or when a tummy ache set in, ginger tea was made and served. These traditions, likely passed down through many generations, always seem to hold a magical quality, a soothing, familiar essence. This is the spirit of traditional plant medicine.


Defender

HERBAL INGREDIENTS

2 teaspoons elderberries
2 teaspoons echinacea root/flowers/leaf
1 teaspoon rosehips1/2teaspoon ginger pieces
1/2teaspoon cinnamon chipsmanuka honey (optional)

METHOD

Pour boiling water over the dried or fresh herbs and steep for 10–20 minutes. Strain out the plant material with a fine-mesh sieve, and enjoy


The Guardian

An antiviral powerhouse, blended to create a strong defence in the face of viral presentations, whether that be a cold sore or a viral cold. Licorice, lemon balm, echinacea and St John’s wort combine to soothe tension and calm the heightened stress response that often underlies a weakened immune system.

HERBAL INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon dried St John’s wort flowers/leaf
1 teaspoon dried echinacea leaf/root
1/2 teaspoon dried licorice root
2 teaspoons dried lemon balm leaf

METHOD

Pour boiling water over the dried or fresh herbs and steep for 10–20 minutes. Strain out the plant material with a fine-mesh sieve, and enjoy.

Image: The Plant Portal by Erin Lovell Verinder. Photography by Georgia Blackie.

The Plant Portal by Erin Lovell Verinder is available now.

AU $24.99


Posted on November 22, 2022