Organic Respiratory/Cough brew
Elecampane root: Inula helenium
Ginger: Zingiber officinale
Liquorice: Glycyrrhiza glabra
Thyme: Thymus vulgaris
Fennel: Foeniculum vulgare
In generally equal amounts.
Decoction: 1 tablespoon per mug. Simmer mix for at least 10 minutes with the lid on, strain and drink.
Mixture often can be re-brewed as roots keep releasing herbal goodness.
This recipe is one that has been created after trial and error in trying to shift my sons reoccurring coughs and chest infections. This mix seems to hit the nail on the head and used in time the cough does not progress. Also my friend is using this remedy routinely to help clear their chest while giving up smoking.
The elecampane is like a lung tonic and also helps break up any phlegm. The ginger is warming and gets everything moving as well as tasting yummy. The liquorice and thyme are classic cough remedies being soothing and expectorant respectively. Aniseed was recommended by a friend who uses it regularly for coughs and it increases the effectiveness of the mucociliary escalator, along with adding a sweetness which is useful given the strong taste of elecampane. Sometimes interchanged with fennel.
After making various syrups that invariably started fermenting as I could not bring myself to add the quantity of sugar required this dry mix of roots, herbs and seeds means you can make the quantity desired fresh with minimum effort and zero sugar.
I have made a slightly gentler blend for young children too.