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Page 66
| from infection. Coughing can also be a symptom of more serious illness, so professional medical attention is needed for any cough that persists for more than a few days or for which there is no obvious cause. |
| Coughs can be dry and irritating or ''productive" with phlegm, which can vary in shade from white to green. Colored phlegm generally indicates an infection, and if it is streaked with blood, professional medical help is needed. Dry coughs can often linger for weeks following a cold and in some cases can be a nervous habit. |
| Tea for productive Coughs |
| 3 parts thyme |
| 2 parts licorice |
| 1 part each elderflower, common plantain, and fennel seed |
| Juice of 1/2 lemon per cup |
| Honey |
| Mix the thyme, elder-flower, plantain, and fennel seeds. Make a combination infusion/decoction (p. 52) using 2 teaspoons of the licorice to 1 1/2 quarts of water and then pour this over 1 1/2 tablespoons of the dried herb mixture. Take a cup of the tea 3 times a day, reheating and adding the lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey before drinking. |
| If there is a lot of phlegm, eat at least two cloves of garlic a day; crush them, mix with a vinaigrette dressing, and pour over a serving of lettuce leaves. |
| Chest rubs can also help to loosen phlegm. Mix 10 drops each of thyme and eucalyptus oil with a teaspoon of almond oil and rub well into the chest (front and back) night and morning. For congestion in babies and toddlers, put 2 to 3 drops of these oils onto a pillow or bib so that the child will gently inhale them. |
| Cramps |
| The severe pain of a cramp is caused by a sudden contraction of the muscles. Commonly this occurs in calf muscles that become hard and tense; rubbing the area vigorously can bring rapid relief. A cramp can also be caused by unusual exercise, stress, tiredness, poor posture, or an imbalance of the salts in the body. |
| In hot weather, cramps are often due to a shortage of salt |
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