Children’s Composition Formula Featuring Yarrow, Plus 5 Other Yarrow Recipes

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The Children’s Composition Formula is an excellent herbal blend to keep on hand for cold and flu season, supporting respiratory health, gently reducing fevers, and fighting off harmful microbes.

No matter how healthy a family is, what stellar supplements they take, or how many essential oils they know how to use, it’s highly unlikely they’ll get through an entire fall, winter, and early spring season without one or all of their children coming down with a cold virus at some point.

The common cold, and even the more intense flu virus, are normal parts of growing up in an area where we get stuck inside without a lot of daylight, fresh air, and outdoor time for a substantial part of the year. Though these little infections are common, it doesn’t mean they are always comfortable, especially for children!

Most moms want to have something on hand to help their children manage a cold or flu virus. Antibiotics won’t work on a virus and most over the counter remedies only stifle the symptoms instead of supporting the body’s natural healing abilities.

The Children’s Composition Formula, however, is an excellent, gentle, and effective herbal blend to consider for these times of sickness! Should a cold or flu virus visit your home, brewing cups of tea with this comforting blend may be just what your little ones need.

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Dr. Edward Shook was a pioneer Western herbalist who wrote about this formula in his book Advanced Treatise in Herbology. He believed it to be the most effective herbal blend to use with children dealing with colds, the flu, and fevers.

This blend, which he called Children’s Composition Formula, is quite basic. It is simply equal parts elder flower, yarrow, and peppermint!

This simple blend of herbs is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic (which can help with coughing and digestive troubles), and diaphoretic (which increases sweating and can be helpful for those with fevers or infections).

So many benefits from such a simple combination of botanicals!

Children’s Composition Formula

Ingredients

Herbal parts should always be measured by weight for the greatest accuracy. A digital kitchen scale is an important tool for even the most casual user of herbs.

• 1 part yarrow
• 1 part elder flower
• 1 part peppermint (catnip or spearmint would also be suitable substitutions, though the original recipe is for peppermint)

For the highest quality, I recommend purchasing your herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs or Bulk Herb Store.

Instructions

1. Combine the herbs in a bowl and mix thoroughly, then transfer to a glass jar to be stored away from heat and direct light.
2. Prepare the herbs as an infusion with 1 teaspoon of herbs steeped in 1 cup of boiled water for about 15 minutes. Strain the herbal material out (or use handy mesh tea balls), sweeten with a bit of honey if desired, and enjoy the tea 3-4 times a day.

This blend could also be prepared as a tincture, but the extra hydration that the infusion method provides can be a big help when fighting off a virus.

5 More Yarrow Recipes

Yarrow is an incredible versatile and beneficial herb. Find new ways to put it to use with one of these options!

• This Soothing Balm combines the antimicrobial, astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties of yarrow with rose petals, lavender, and other skin soothing ingredients.
• Yarrow is also an ingredient in another All Purpose Healing Salve that’s packed with botanical compounds known for their ability to fight infection.
• For surface cuts with bleeding, yarrow powder can be combined with other herbal powders to help stop the bleeding. Because it contains cayenne, I wouldn’t use this Herbal Powder First Aid Mix on children or sensitive skin, but it could be a great option for adults.
• The Children’s Composition Formula can be expanded with a couple of additional herbs for added benefits.
• This Sore Muscle and Headache Salve features yarrow, along with lavender and arnica.

Don’t forget to get your free printable herb card all about yarrow during the month of January! It’s our Herb of the Month. Get yours here.

Do you have a favorite tea blend for helping with colds and flu?

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