Herbal Cough Remedy: Bougainvillea Tea

November 7, 2012 at 5:00 am (Recipes)
Tags: Bougainvilea, common cold, cough, folk medicine, herbal remedy, sore throat, Tea

I wrote this post a long time ago but it never actually got published. As it is now cold and flu season perhaps someone out there may find it useful. 

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My friend and neighbor Blanca introduced me to a traditional Mexican folk remedy for the sore throat and cough that is plaguing our household. ‘Cause when a toddler gets sick, everyone gets sick!

(Before I go any further, I am not a doctor nor do I have any medical training. If you choose to brew and drink this tea for yourself you do so at your own risk. This post has most definitely not been evaluated or recommended by the FDA. Do your own research. Use your own judgement.)

Bougainvillea (Photo credit: dullhunk)

Anyway, here in Southern California we are blessed with an abundance of Bougainvillea vines. I plucked these from some growing up a telephone pole next to where we parked the car while out and about on Sunday.  I just love the bright colors of this plant!

Ingredients: Bouganvillea Bracts and Cinnamon Sticks

Steep together until the bougainvillea has lost it’s bright color.

Strain into your cup.

Add honey to taste.

Your finished brew. Yummm!

I found this delightfully soothing to my sore throat. The taste was most pleasant as well.

One source, (now buried somewhere in my Google history, sorry) mentioned that this can cause liver or kidney damage if consumed in large quantities. I’m glad I saw the warning as it tastes so good I might have been tempted to do so!  For myself, used medicinally (and when I’m not currently  pregnant) I’m not concerned… Tylenol will also do a number on your liver in an overdose.

Here’s where I’m linking up:

Sunday:

Homemaker on a Dime,  I {heart} Naptime,  Flamingo Toes, My 1929 Charmer Blog,

What I Wore Sunday, jembellish clothes upcycling page

Monday:

Get Outta My Head Please, Skip to My Lou, The Gunny Sack, Sew Can Do,

Singing Three Little Birds,  C.R.A.F.T.,  diy home sweet home,

Craft-O Maniac, Sew Chatty, Sarahndipities , The Cure for the Common Monday

Tuesday:

At Home With K, Not Just a Housewife, Hope Studios, Funky Polkadot Giraffe,

Kammy’s Korner, The Kurtz Corner, I’m Topsy Turvy, Tip Junkie,

Raising 4 Princesses, The Creative Itch Boutique, Schwin and Schwin,

Heart and Soul Blog Hop

Wednesday:

Sew Much Ado, Frugally Sustainable,  Lil’ Luna, Someday Crafts, Whimsy

Wednesday, Whatcha Work Up Wednesday

Thursday:

Mom On Timeout, Thrifty Decorating, Bear Rabbit Bear, Thriving on Thursdays

The Crafty Blogstalker, The Shabby Creek Cottage, House of Hepworths,

Sorta Crunchy, Delightful Order, Anything Goes Linky Party,

Friday:

Simply Designing, Whipperberry,  Happy Hour Projects, kojodesigns,

Joyful Stamper, Making Lemonade Blog, Thirty Handmade Days,

Release Me Creations, Naptime Crafters, Romantic Home, Finding Fabulous,

Shabby Nest, French Country Cottage, The Charm of Home, The Grant Life,

At the Picket Fence, Fingerprints on the Fridge, One Art Mama, 2805,

Saturday:

The Gingerbread Blog, Too Much Time On My Hands,

Six Sisters Stuff, Serenity You, Be Different Act Normal