Once upon a time, long, long (maybe not that long 2015) ago, a practicing herbalist for over 13 years, had the worst throat pain she had ever had. She knew all the “throat” herbs and had tried every remedy she could from her library of books. 3 nights passed of no sleep due to the incredible pain of not being able to swallow and nothing was helping. She lay awake deciding it was time to visit the doctor. It was time for Western medicine to intervene. Out of pure exhaustion, she feel asleep and Sage entered her dreams. A mixture of simple herbs she already had prepared and placed in a spray bottle would be the answer. The herbalist woke up and decided to try the formula before driving to the doctor. Within minutes the pain was mostly gone and she was able to get back on track towards healing.
Dream state—it is a beautiful way for the brain to categorize the day before and organize it into departments we can pull memories. It’s a place of silence that allows what we have learned before to surface and perhaps be helpful. Could Sage have actually entered my dream when I really needed her? Earthly beings work in synergetic ways we can’t always explain. I just accept with gratitude the offering. I also acknowledge my mentors and wise healers before me who helped lay the foundation of my formulas and physiological understanding. Nothing is actually “mine”
So this magical throat spray is one of my trusted herbal remedies that I am excited to share with you today. This is antiseptic, soothing and anti-microbial.
Ingredients:
Sage Leaf Decoction
Sage for Colds and the Flu
Herbalists have long used sage to soothe a sore throat. The astringent properties can bring relief to swollen tissues and the antimicrobial properties can address the infection. Try a gargle with sage infusion or drink sage tea with some lemon and honey.
Modern day researchers are catching up to this time honored use of sage. In one human sore throat trial, researchers compared the effects of a sage and Echinacea extract with the effects of a spray made up of the antiseptic chlorhexidine and the anesthetic lidocaine. They concluded that the sage and Echinacea extract showed slightly better results than the chlorhexidine and lidocaine for reducing sore throat symptoms.
Sage is effective for a variety of discomforts that can accompany a cold or influenza. Taken as a warm tea it acts as a mild stimulating diaphoretic, making it a good choice for fevers when the person feels cold and is shivering. I generally use a fire cider for this but try both options and see what calls to you. As an herbal steam, it can help to decongest the sinuses and loosen congestion in the lungs.
Echinacea Augustifolia Root Decoction–
Get a sustainable source as it’s at risk. Please always refer to the list below when purchasing plants. It is not okay to eliminate medicine for all to serve a few. Echinacea Augustafolia is very easy to grow in Colorado and spreads abundantly. Please consider growing this plant to use and to just leave in the wild spaces of your yard.
Echinacea for Colds and the Flu
Echinacea is one of the most popular herbs in mainstream culture. It is especially known and used for warding off colds or the flu, which is a more recent application of this herb. Many studies have been done regarding Echinacea and upper respiratory infections and there are mixed results. Dosage is usually the culprit here. This is to large of a topic for this blog. Using the recipient below will guide you on this particular use.
Echinacea has long been used for sore throats, by Native Americans, Eclectic physicians, and modern-day herbalists. In this case, a throat spray or other direct application is best. In vitro studies have shown that Echinacea is active against the bacteria that causes Strep throat (Streptococcus pyogenes). More on this in the link below.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20036523
Another powerful effect of Echinacea during a cold or flu is for the reduction of swollen lymph glands (lymphagogue action). Eclectic physicians also used Echinacea to support the fever process for a variety of febrile conditions such as typhoid and malaria.
Thyme Decoction-
Thyme for Upper Respiratory System
Thyme has been used for a variety of symptoms related to colds and influenza for thousands of years.
Thyme’s hot and drying energetics makes it a great match for cold and stagnant conditions, indicated by a thick white coating on the tongue, and congested mucus in the lungs. Thyme is also well known for stopping coughing spasms and is widely employed as an antitussive, even in dry coughs like whooping cough. Many herbalists recommend thyme in place of endangered osha.
Licorice Root Tincture–
Tinctured in Brandy if possible. Brady has an affinity for the respiratory system. Make sure to use at least 80 proof. I have used 100 proof vodka as well and it works great. This is part of what’s called the ART of Herbalism. As a general rule vodka 100 proof is your best option for extracting medicine from your plants. But, different spirits have their own medicine based on chemical constituents and folk use throughout different cultures.
Soothes Sore Throat and Cough
Hot, painful, and irritated throats from upper respiratory infections are easily soothed with licorice root. It’s commonly found in sore throat tea formulas, like Traditional Medicinal’s well-known Throat Coat tea..
Besides soothing sore throats, licorice is commonly used as a pectoral (chest) herb. It soothes coughs, especially those dry and irritating coughs that can keep you up all night. Since sore throats and coughs tend to come together, licorice is a wonderful herb to reach for in these conditions. Add in the antiviral and antibacterial properties of licorice, and you’ve got an incredibly useful herb for common upper respiratory infections.
Post-operative results with 609 participants found licorice very soothing in the study below.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30391446
Throat Spray Recipe is simple and as follows:
1 tablespoon sage
1 tablespoon echinacea root
1 teaspoon thyme
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and place the herbs above into the pot. Put a lid on the pot and reduce the temperature to a very low simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off the stove and remove the lid. Allow the formula to cool completely and strain through a cloth into an amber jar. You do not want any sediment. It clogs the spray bottle later. This needs to be a large 32 ounce jar so it is big enough to add licorice tincture too.
Add Licorice Root Tincture to the decoction. You want 2/3 decoction to 1/3 tincture. This helps make the formula shelf-stable.
Pour your throat spray into a 2 or 4 ounce spray bottle such as these. I DO NOT advise using essential oils internally. But I will sometimes add 2 drops of eucalyptus to a 2 ounce bottle of the throat spray. It just kicks the effectiveness up a notch but it is not necessary. If you have any digestive issues, please disregard this. Essential oils are no good for the digestive tract.
Make this in advance. It sucks to make your medicine when you need it. It’s nice to have on hand.
I use this all year around. I have a functional immune system. My sinuses drain in the spring to support me when we have lots of pollen, dust, grass, pollution, what ever in the air. In the winter it helps with a sore throat. I even sometimes use it as a preventative. If there is a cough going around, I might just take a spray or too through our the day.
Sage, not just for the turkey this Thanksgiving. I hope everyone has a lovely holiday.
Wishing you all happiness and health.
Chrystal Cocek