Old Crow Blend
A Respiratory Aid from Northern Tribes

Breathe well, Live well!

Ingredients:  Orange Peel, Watercress, Grapefruit Peel, Licorice, Valerian Root, Wintergreen, Lemongrass, Parsley, Horehound, Thyme, Fennel, Dalmation Sage, Scullcap, Ginger Root, Lemon Peel, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Camphor, Cayenne

When to use:  During times of respiratory distress, asthma, fever, coughs, sore throats, clogged sinuses, cold and flu symptoms, excess mucous, lung irritations.

How much to use:  Two cups of hot tea per day as needed.

Preparation:  Steep 1 teaspoon of herbs per cup of hot water (distilled, spring, or filtered water) for 20 minutes.  Strain herbs and sip keeping tea hot while drinking.  Allow at least 20 minutes between tea and meals. 

This is my first relief remedy (along with a soak in Cleanse & Calm Bath Blend) whenever I feel cold or flu coming on.  It knocks it right out of me, and I've heard the same from others.  Several of us have been using this tea for respiratory relief from the bad air resulting from fires on the west coast, and general poor air quality.  It helps with many allergy symptoms when breathing is effected.  Always drink the tea while it is hot.  It helps the oils penetrate deeply into the lungs.  Also good support when quitting smoking.  Susan Gold

Notes from Lee Nelson White Deer about this blend:

The best way to make the taste better is to replace 4 oz. of the already made tea with pure grapefruit juice. Don't use the peel or you will mess up the balance of the herbs. Note: We also like it with tupelo honey or agave syrup.

• Orange peel contains vitamin C, much more than the juice.
• Grapefruit peel contains quinine in a natural source, without kickbacks. Quinine is the greatest fever reducer, especially for persistent fevers.
• Licorice Root is very high in estrogen and very high in progesterone. Both of these hormones are essential for proper operation of the body. When mucous builds up these two hormones cannot be assimilated properly. That's why there is no get up and go when you have a cold.
• Valerian is a painkiller.
• Wintergrreen is a painkiller.
• Lemongrass gives a high source of vitamin A and C. It has an oil that is in no other herb. This will stimulates the mucous membranes bringing them back into a state of normal operation.
• Parsley provides the oxygen we need in order to breakup colds and mucus. When you have a cold you are breathing an insufficient amount of oxygen. So we have the Parsley and Watercress in the largest amounts. They don't actually help in healing but they provide an auxiliary oxygen plant while we're getting the main plant operational.
• Horehound soothes areas affected by colds. Irritated mucous membranes can agitate nerves. Even if coughing is no longer needed, agitated nerves may still call for it.
• Thyme is antibiotic.
• Fennel relieves gas, calms the stomach, eliminates mucus.
• Sage is a purifier and antibiotic.
• Scullcap reduces the sensation of the head coming off. It soothes the scalp area.
• Ginger is contained for its heat release factor. It warms things up, thins down mucus.
• Rosemary has penetrating qualities into the nose and sinus cavities. It helps to drive in some of the other herbs.
• Eucalyptus has a penetrating oil. It penetrates all the mucous membranes of the respiratory system to breakup mucus.
• Camphor has the ability to break down mucus and obstructions and is penetrating.
• Capsicum (cayenne) is the blood stimulant to keep everything else going.