Fuggy head tea

I’ve spent the last week walking around with what I can only call a “fuggy head”. You probably know the feeling, like you’ve stayed up a solid 48 hours, you can’t focus, pain behind the eyes and a general feeling of blurgh. Silly me, I thought it was a combination of not sleeping well and having to spend seemingly endless hours in front of a computer for work. But yesterday, it finally clicked, more likely I have a mild bug. With lockdown it’s been quite a while since I’ve had one and it didn’t register straight away.

Lucky for me there are a lot of herbs you can turn to in such a situation. Generally, when more nasal, I turn to the traditional combination of yarrow, elderflower and peppermint. This, however, was more in the head so I came up with the following which has honestly worked wonders! Hopefully it helps some of you as much as it has helped me.

Ingredients

• 1 part meadowsweet (fresh or dry)
• 1 part dried hibiscus
• 2 parts dried rose hips

Steep until cool enough to drink.

A little about the herbs

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

Meadowsweet has long traditional use for a range of ailments but in this instance I was focused on its salicylate content. Salicylates are the painkilling compound that led to the development of aspirin and can be found in a number of plants (i.e. white willow bark). It has what I can only describe as a very “medicinal” taste. This isn’t something that bothers me (I quite like a German wine that tastes ever so slightly similar) but I can imagine it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. For those people this blend is perfect as the fruity flavour of the hibiscus and rose hips almost mask some of the intensity.

Salicylates can affect iron absorption so it’s recommended herbs containing them are taken several hours apart from supplements or meals. It is also recommended that those with salicylate allergy or aspirin allergy, as well as those on a number of blood-thinning medications, avoid saluiylate-containg herbs.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

The hibiscus calyx is high in vitamin C and has immunostimulant and antioxidant effects, just what’s needed when your immune system needs some extra support. Another cooling herb (both Meadowsweet and, depending which tradition you prescribe to, the rose are also cooling), I usually turn to hibiscus in the summer months or when. Hibiscus is also an astringent, helping to dry up any mucous that might be lurking about.

Avoid hibiscus if pregnant.

Rose hips (Rosa spp.)

Rose hips share some similar qualities to hibiscus. They’re also extremely high in vitamin C, with research showing that hips from the common dog rose (Rosa canina) contain more vitamin C than oranges, pound for pound. During WWI in the UK, they were utilised for this very purpose in the form of rose hip syrup. Again, they are astringent and cooling, containing antioxidants and both herbs are also noted for their support to the heart.

If using homegrown rosehips, make sure to remove the tiny hairs that sit inside the fruit before use.

Possible additions

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

If a sore or scratchy throat is involved I can’t resist including liquorice. It’s sweet, almost syrupy flavour along with its demulcent and antispasmodic actions are just the ticket. Liquorice has long been utilised for such purposes; in Ayurveda it is considered a specific in soothing inflammation across any of the mucous membranes. It is also considered to be a broad-spectrum antiviral which inhibits the proliferation of many respiratory-based conditions.

Take care if you suffer from hypertension though as glycyrrhizin, the component most noted for its positive effects, can reduce potassium which in turn can result in increased blood pressure if taken in high quantities and/or too frequently.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia)

A spice we likely all have in our kitchen cupboards. It is a gentle demulcent herb which just happens to work well with any berry-like flavour there is in my opinion. Research has also found it to have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Avoid taking in large quantities, however, by this I mean larger than I would ever consider taking and appears to be more of concern in the case of powdered cinnamon. A quill in your tea is nothing to cause concern.

Avoid if you have GI ulcers or any disorder resulting in a compromised liver.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Another culinary herb you likely already have in your kitchen. Ginger would make a great addition. However, unlike the other herbs included it is a warming herb which is fantastic at increasing circulation but I would include it only if you’re feeling on the cooler side or aim to “sweat it out” (I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve craved ginger tea but regretted it very quickly when I’ve become far warmer than I already was). It also has antimicrobial and antiviral properties as well as being antispasmodic and anti-nausea.

There is record of ginger interacting with some medications (i.e. Warfarin) highlighting the importance of asking your GP about potential contraindications whenever you’re prescribed a new medication.