It’s the coughing time of year! As someone who is susceptible to coughs, I’m always looking for herbal remedies that help soothe my coughs and allow and me to sleep. After doing some research, I found and old remedy in the Farmer’s Almanac: Black Cherry Bark Cough Tea. While the article gave extensive directions for foraging the bark of the black cherry tree (Prunus serotina, also called wild black cherry or rum cherry), I buy mind already dried and sifted from Amazon and other health food stores. It’s more expensive than foraging bark for free, but it’s much easier and safer.
So why use Black Cherry Bark in a tea to help with coughs? Because the bark from this tree has numerous benefits.
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Astringent
- Circulatory tonic
- Cough suppressant
- Heart tonic similiar to hawthorn
- Digestive bitters
- Digestive tonic
- Expectorant
- Sedative
When you make the tea, and add a dash of local, organic honey, you have a powerhouse drink filled with all sorts of anti-cold goodness. This tea helps ease cough spasms fairly quickly, but it is not an antibiotic. If the cough continues, or you think you have an infection in your lungs and chest, go see the doctor. I don’t recommend this tea for children because it can mask an infection. This is purely an adult beverage to be used to ease the spasms so you can rest or sleep–as long as you pay attention to your own health and seek help if you even suspect any kind of chest infection. This is also a strong tonic and you shouldn’t drink more than 3 cups in 24 hours, and for no more than three days in a row. Again, because it could mask an underlying infection. If you’re pregnant, check with your healthcare provider before taking any herbal supplement.
This infusion will smell like almonds. If it smells more like moldy sawdust, throw out the bark and purchase a new bag. The dry bark has a shelf life of 1 year from harvest. Because herbal teas were prized by the early American colonists, Sarah Munro, (my PhD historian and heroine in book 2 of the Deadly Force series, ONE DARK WISH), has added Black Cherry Bark Cough Tea to her collection of DIY herbal recipes.
Sarah Munro’s Black Cherry Bark Cough Tea
Ingredients:
Directions:
Bring the water just to a boil.
Put the dried cherry bark into a tea diffuser and add to the boiled water. Cover for 10 minutes.
Strain the tea into a mug and sweeten with honey, to taste.
To use: Drink 1 cup of black cherry bark tea to help soothe a cough. Can be used up to three times a day. This hot infusion will give off an almond-like smell. If it smells like moldy sawdust, the bark is too old to use. Toss the tea and make again with newer dried bark.
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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER ABOUT WILD PLANTS, FORAGING, AND MAKING HERBAL REMEDIES:
I am not a medical professional and nothing written on this blog is medical advice. None of my statements have been evaluated by the FDA (I am legally required to give you this disclaimer).
It is important to do your due diligence before foraging, harvesting, and/or consuming any type of medicinal plant.
- If you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor about any potential drug interactions.
- If you are allergic to anything, make sure whatever you are foraging is not in the same family. Example: While dandelions are typically considered safe, those who are allergic to ragweed, latex, daisies, or any other plants in the same or similar families, may not be able to consume dandelion.
Always research potential side effects, dosage recommendations, and how to properly prepare and consume each medicinal plant.
Always make sure you are foraging what you believe to be. Fully prepare and study the anatomy before harvesting wild plants.
Always make sure your kitchen/work area is clean and that all materials are sterilized.
Do not forage plants from areas that have been sprayed within the past 2 years at the very least.
I am not legally or morally responsible for the health of any of my readers. Please do your own research!
