This past week, we were hit with the season’s first cold that seems to be going around just about everywhere, and this was the breakdown of how it went:
Son #1: Sick for 3 days and is still congested 6 days after his first symptom.
Son #2: Sick for 2 days and is still congested 5 days after his first symptom.
Me: Sick for 4 days and I am slightly short of breath now.
Daughter: Sick for 2 days and counting but is on the mend.
Husband: Sick for 3 days and counting with body aches, headache, and congestion.
So what’s the difference between all of us? Well, a few things. Individual immune systems of course play a role, but the herbal protocols we used seemed to make the biggest difference. So let’s go through what we all took…
Son #1: 3 cups of Immune Boost Tea with Mullein each day and Respiratory Tincture Blend.
Son #2: Shots of strongly brewed Immune Boost Tea with Elderberry and Elecampane Tincture 2-3x/day.
Me: Multiple cups of Breathe Tea throughout the day, Respiratory Tincture Blend 4x/day, and herbal cough drops.
Daughter: 1 cup of Immune Boost Tea per day.
Husband: 1-2 cups of Immune Boost Tea per day, and Ashwagandha Tincture at night.
So you tell me…Which protocol do you think worked the best?
Before I jump into the best protocol, we need to look back at the considerations.
- This cold seemed to be worse for the older people in the home. The younger they were, the less intense the active symptoms were.
- My autoimmune disease prevents me from being able to take immune-boosting herbs.
- Man colds are legit! Testosterone actually does inhibit a man’s ability to fight an illness as fast as a woman can.
- Son #1 and I both have asthma.
So, given that information, do you think one protocol is superior to another?
The answer is no!
Each protocol was the right one for each person. Let’s talk about why…
Son #1: Immune Boost Tea boosts the immune system, and the Mullein tones the lungs and keeps them strong. Respiratory Blend Tincture contains elecampane, nettle, and goldenrod, which prevents the cold from settling in the lungs. That’s super important for an asthmatic.
Son #2: Does not like tea, most textures, and strong flavors. Lots of bribing went into getting those tea shots in. Tinctures are easily hidden in juice, and the small amount of liquid means he can get it over with fast.
Me: I need a lot of nettles daily to manage inflammation. When an illness happens, I need even more coupled with herbs that manage my asthma and heart. The herbal cough drops I used were admittedly Ricola drops. But, they have multiple herbs in them and they work really well for opening up the sinus passages that are so prone to inflammation and congestion.
Daughter: She won’t take much of anything when she doesn’t feel good. So, get it in when you can. She had her tea after lunch when she felt a little better.
Husband: He is working and doesn’t have time or ability to brew lots of hot tea throughout the day. Ashwagandha balances testosterone levels and is best taken at night. It is best taken at night right before bed for best absorption and because it’s also helpful in regulating sleep cycles.
When you’re putting together the perfect herbal protocol during an illness, it’s important to keep in mind what the person taking this protocol will be compliant with. Just like anything you’re trying to achieve, if you’re not consistent with it, it won’t work.
Try not to just focus on “what’s wrong” in the moment. A lot of things need to go into making the most effective protocol possible. Here’s a list of all the things you need to consider:
- Lifestyle: How much time do you have for medicine making? Are you free to make multiple cups of tea throughout the day? If not, tinctures may be the way to go.
- Preference: Do you like tea? No? Another vote for tinctures.
- Medical History: It’s always important to consider your medical history. Some herbs do have interactions and warnings with them. Get familiar with your herbs before you jump into them.
- Active Condition: Considering everything I already listed, start looking at herbs that help with the symptoms you have. For example, if you have a cold that produces a lot of mucus, you’ll want Mullein and Elecampane primarily.
The best protocols are not a one-size-fits-all prescription. To get over that cold fast without lingering symptoms, I listened to my body, considered my options, and tailored my protocol specifically for me.
To get the recipes to make the tea blends and tincture blends I referenced above, download your copy of my herbal recipe book ’50 Herbal Recipes To Stock Your Home Apothecary’. You can find a FREE coupon code for members only on the membership home page.
Happy Medicine Making!
