Winter Herbs For Your
Blood Type
by Colleen Hulett, herbalist
When Robin (webmaster) asked me to
formulate four winter tea recipes corresponding with Dr. D'Adamo's book Eat
Right For Your Blood Type I thought it would be a simple task. I was wrong. Dr.
D'Adamo has a very short list of herbs that he has tested thus leaving out many fantastic
herbs for the winter season that I use in my formulations. Also, some herbs he uses were
not listed for all blood types (e.g. astragalus and oregano). Nevertheless I discovered
that some of my favourite herbs are great for all blood types.
I decided to use the following
time-honoured recipe since it is excellent for many cold symptoms and benefits all four
blood types. Here in the north we spend a great amount of time indoors during the winter
surrounded by friends and family who may all have different blood types. A tea blend that
supports all is good to keep on hand.
This recipe is a very old gypsy
formula used successfully by many herbalists to help combat the common cold. It acts to
tone the mucous membranes while decongesting the nose and sinuses. The tea also combats
fevers and helps one to sweat out toxins. Adding a pinch of Ginger powder to each cup will
help warm up our hands and feet, promote perspiration and soothe a sore throat.
 |
Tea for the Common Cold
(Blood Types O, A, B, AB)1 part Yarrow flowers
1 part Peppermint leaves
1 part Elder flowers |
 |
Mix all ingredients
together. Store in a dark glass jar away from heat and light. To make tea: pour one cup of
boiling water for each teaspoon of tea mix used. Cover tightly and steep 15-20 minutes.
Strain and serve.
Doses:
Adults/Adolescents: Drink (as hot
as you can handle) three to four cups daily to alleviate cold symptoms.
Children 6-12: Sip 1/2 cup, three
times daily. If needed, add to warm juice.
Children 2-6: Sip 1/4 cup, three
times daily. If needed, add to warm juice.
Note for Blood Types A
and AB
It would be highly beneficial if
you added an equal part of Echinacea flowers and leaves to the recipe to help build the
immune system and prevent infection. Unlike Echinacea root which should be pulsed (taken
on and off to prevent the immune system from developing a tolerance), the flowers and
leaves can be taken all the time. The reason for this is due to the potency of the
different parts of the Echinacea plant. The root is very potent while the leaves and
flowers are much milder. Do not use any type of Echinacea remedy in the presence of a
fever.
Notes for All Blood
Types
All blood types can benefit from
drinking Rosehip or Elderberry tea freely throughout the winter as they are an excellent
source of vitamin C. Sage, Slippery Elm or Raspberry Leaf tea can help sore throats. Sage
and Raspberry tea are also excellent for throat gargles. Horehound tea is an excellent
cough remedy, decongestant and anti-oxidant which boosts the immune system -- but it
tastes awful so you may want to add a sweetener suitable for your blood type (refer to the
holiday food chart).
Please refer to my handy herb and spice chart for a quick reference of all the
winter remedy herbs and their compatibility with the four blood types.
Contact me at colleen@recipenet.org if you have any
questions or comments about this recipe.
Webmaster's Note:
If are new to making teas from scratch I
highly recommend you read Colleen's article "How
to Choose Quality Herbs For Teas" which was published last Winter. This
article contains useful information as well as two additional tea blends to try. The
Winter Tea is beneficial for types A, B and AB. Most of the herbs in the Nutritious
Calcium Tea are not listed in Dr. D'Adamo's book, but based on the ones that are (alfalfa
and peppermint) this tea would also benefit types A, B and AB.
Colleen has a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Geography and has been a practicing herbalist since 1996. She is currently studying The
Science and Art of Herbology with revered herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. Colleen is the
staff herbalist at Rainbow Natural Foods which
has the largest selection of quality organic and non-organic dried bulk medicinal herbs
and supplies in Canada's National Capital region. She welcomes both residents and tourists
to drop by so she can help you find safe herbal remedies to suit your needs.
Winter 2001 -
02 ER4YT
www.recipenet.org
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