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🌿3 Remedies for Fatigue

Published by on January 14, 2026 Respond

🌿 1. Ashwagandha Vitality Tonic

Great for: Adrenal fatigue, burnout, long-term stress

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp ashwagandha powder
  • 1 cup warm milk (plant-based or dairy)
  • 1 tsp honey (optional)
  • A pinch of cinnamon or cardamom

Instructions:

  1. Mix ashwagandha into warm milk.
  2. Add honey and spices if desired.
  3. Drink in the morning or before bed.

Benefits:

  • Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that helps the body manage stress and restore energy naturally.
  • Cinnamon supports blood sugar balance for more stable energy.

🍵 2. Peppermint & Ginseng Energy Tea

Great for: Mental fatigue, brain fog, low motivation

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp dried peppermint leaves
  • ½ tsp dried ginseng root (or a tea bag)
  • 1.5 cups boiling water

Instructions:

  1. Steep herbs in hot water for 10–15 minutes.
  2. Strain and sip when you need a natural energy boost.

Benefits:

  • Peppermint stimulates alertness and refreshes the mind.
  • Ginseng is a natural stimulant that increases stamina, focus, and vitality.

🍋 3. Citrus & Maca Morning Elixir

Great for: Hormonal fatigue, sluggish mornings, mood support

Ingredients:

  • Juice of 1 orange or lemon
  • 1 tsp maca powder
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 cup warm water

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients together until dissolved.
  2. Drink first thing in the morning.

Benefits:

  • Maca supports hormone balance and improves endurance.
  • Citrus provides vitamin C and a refreshing energy lift.
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🌿 Healing with Licorice Root: Harvest, Prepare & Remedy Recipes

Published by on April 18, 2025 Respond

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has been used as a natural remedy for over 4,000 years across cultures from ancient Egypt to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Revered for its soothing properties and distinctive sweetness, licorice root offers potent benefits for the respiratory, digestive, and immune systems.

Let’s explore how to harvest, prepare, and use licorice root safely and effectively in your home apothecary.

🌾 How to Harvest Licorice Root

Licorice plants take 2–3 years to develop thick, nutrient-rich roots ideal for medicinal use. Here’s how to harvest them properly:

  1. Timing: Harvest in autumn, after the aerial parts of the plant begin to die back (usually April–May in South Africa).
  2. Dig carefully: Use a fork or spade to gently lift the plant and loosen the long taproots.
  3. Select mature roots: Choose thick, yellowish-brown roots with a strong, sweet aroma.
  4. Clean and prepare: Rinse soil from roots, slice into small pieces, and air dry in a warm, shaded area for 1–2 weeks. Store in a glass jar away from light and moisture.

🛠️ How to Prepare Licorice for Medicine

Depending on your desired remedy, licorice root can be used in various forms:

  • Dried Root – For infusions, decoctions, or syrups
  • Powdered Root – For capsules or mixing into teas and blends
  • Tincture – Alcohol extract used for concentrated dosing
  • Licorice Honey or Syrup – For sore throats and coughs

🍵 3 Herbal Licorice Remedies

1. Soothing Licorice Cough Tea

A gentle, mucilage-rich tea that soothes dry throats and eases coughs.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp dried licorice root (chopped)
  • 1 tsp dried marshmallow root (optional)
  • 1 cup boiling water

Method:

  1. Combine herbs in a cup.
  2. Pour over boiling water and cover.
  3. Steep 10–15 minutes, strain, and sip warm.

Dosage: 1–2 cups daily during respiratory infections. Avoid if pregnant or on blood pressure meds.

2. Licorice Tincture for Adrenal Support

Used in small doses to support stressed adrenals and chronic fatigue.

Ingredients:

  • 1 part dried licorice root
  • 5 parts 40% vodka or brandy (by volume)

Method:

  1. Combine in a sterilized glass jar.
  2. Shake daily for 4–6 weeks.
  3. Strain and bottle.

Dosage: 1–2 ml up to 3 times daily under supervision (maximum 6 weeks at a time).

3. Licorice Digestive Syrup

A sweet syrup to coat and protect the stomach lining, easing heartburn or ulcers.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp dried licorice root
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup raw honey

Method:

  1. Simmer root in water for 30–40 minutes.
  2. Reduce to 1 cup, strain, then stir in honey while warm.
  3. Store in a sterilized bottle in the fridge.

Dosage: 1 tsp before meals, up to 3x/day for 1–2 weeks.

⚠️ Safety Tips

  • Do not use long-term (over 6 weeks) without supervision.
  • Avoid in cases of high blood pressure, kidney issues, or during pregnancy.
  • Children under 12 should only use licorice remedies under guidance.
  • Consider deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) for ulcer care if you’re sensitive to glycyrrhizin.

🧡 Final Thoughts

From soothing coughs to restoring energy and healing digestion, licorice root is a powerful ally in herbal medicine. With mindful use and respect for its strength, you can harness this sweet root for natural healing right from your Earthborn garden.

📌 #EarthbornRemedies #LicoriceRoot #HerbalMedicine #GrowYourApothecary #MedicinalPlants

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🌿 Growing Licorice in South Africa: A Sweet Remedy Rooted in Tradition

Published by on April 18, 2025 Respond

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a hardy perennial native to parts of Western Asia and Southern Europe, renowned for its incredibly sweet root and powerful healing properties. With its feathery green leaves and delicate purplish-blue flowers, licorice is as beautiful as it is beneficial. Let’s explore how to grow this medicinal wonder and how to use it to support respiratory health, digestion, and more.

💊 Medicinal Benefits

Licorice root contains the powerful compound glycyrrhizin, which is responsible for its signature sweetness and therapeutic effects. Traditionally, licorice has been used for:

  • Soothing sore throats and coughs due to its demulcent and expectorant properties
  • Reducing inflammation in conditions like arthritis and eczema
  • Supporting adrenal health and combating fatigue
  • Protecting the stomach lining and easing symptoms of ulcers and acid reflux
  • Antiviral and immune-boosting effects, especially useful during seasonal illnesses

⚠️ Note: Long-term use of large amounts can raise blood pressure or affect potassium levels. Use in moderation and consult a healthcare provider if unsure.

🍵 How to Use Licorice Medicinally

Licorice root can be dried, chopped, or powdered and prepared in various forms:

  • Tea: Simmer 1 tsp of dried root in 1 cup water for 10–15 minutes. Strain and drink up to twice a day for cough or indigestion relief.
  • Tincture: Use 1–2 ml of licorice tincture (1:5 in 40% alcohol) up to 3 times daily.
  • Powder: Add 1/8 to ¼ tsp to smoothies or herbal blends for adrenal support.
  • Infused honey or syrup: For sore throats, infuse root into raw honey or create a decoction-based syrup.

📅 When to Plant Licorice in South Africa

Plant licorice in early to mid-spring (September to October) when the soil begins to warm. This gives the plant enough time to establish before cooler winter months arrive.

🏡 Where to Plant

Licorice thrives in:

  • Sunny positions with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight
  • Large containers or deep garden beds with space for its long, spreading roots
  • Mild climates, though it tolerates a range of conditions if given the right care

🌱 Soil, Water & Sunlight Requirements

  • Soil: Deep, sandy-loam or loamy soil that is rich in organic matter and drains well
  • Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy; don’t allow it to dry out completely
  • Sunlight: Full sun is ideal; partial shade is tolerated but may reduce root growth
  • Feeding: Apply compost or a balanced organic fertilizer every 6–8 weeks

📏 Spacing

Licorice plants grow to about 1.2 to 1.5 meters in height and spread widely underground.

  • Space plants 60–90 cm apart
  • Roots mature in 2–3 years, and the best harvest comes after the second year

🌼 Flowers & Fruit

  • Small purple or pale blue pea-like flowers bloom in summer
  • Followed by flat pods containing seeds
  • Flowers attract beneficial pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity

👩‍🌾 Harvesting

  • Dig up mature roots in autumn (April–May) of the second or third year
  • Wash, chop, and dry thoroughly before storing
  • Roots can be powdered, tinctured, or steeped for teas

🌿 Companion Plants & Common Pests

Great companions:

  • Fennel, anise, and yarrow: improve soil conditions and attract pollinators
  • Comfrey: adds nutrients and suppresses weeds nearby

Watch for:

  • Aphids and red spider mites—use neem spray or garlic tea for organic control
  • Root rot—avoid waterlogged soil

🎉 Fun Fact!

Licorice root is naturally about 50 times sweeter than sugar, making it a traditional sweetener in ancient Egyptian and Chinese herbal formulas!

🌱 Final Thoughts

Licorice is more than just a sweet root—it’s a powerhouse of healing, waiting to grow in your Earthborn garden. With patience and the right conditions, this plant will reward you with its potent medicinal root that’s perfect for teas, tinctures, and natural remedies. Add it to your garden plan this spring and enjoy a perennial that heals from the ground up.

📌 #EarthBornGrower #MedicinalPlants #GrowingLicorice #HerbalHealing #PlantWisdom

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