NEEPS

nina · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:44 pm Post subject:

Last winter OH and I spent 6 wonderful weeks in Spain and Portugal arriving back in Liverpool on 23rd Dec.We picked up my very fit 92 year old Mum and drove up to Peterhead on 24th.When we got home we found Andy and Kerry quite ill with cough,sore throat and all the other symptoms of a nasty virus.By Boxing day we were all really ill.I was worried sick about my Mum.The cough was relentless-day and night- and went on for over 2 weeksbefore any signs of any improvement.Full recovery took about 6 weeks+.

This was not flu but some other really severe viral infection.Believe me,I would have happily swapped this for a dose of flu.
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earthroots · Neepster Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 146 Location: deeside

meadowsweet is an amazing plant - try these links:

http://www.floralimages.co.uk/pfilipulmar.htm - for a picture and:

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Filipendula+ulmaria - for info

we've been making meadowsweet syrup for years from this recipe taken from the Mother and Child Herbal by Anne McIntyre - use it by the spoonful when the kids are unwell or add fizzy water for a sweet summer drink - also been known to drizzle it over ice cream:

Put 20 flowering heads of meadowsweet, removed from stems ( a fork is good for this) in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to boil, cover and simmer for 10 mins. Strain. Add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice. Measure the liquid. For each one and half pints (900ml) of liquid add 1 lb (500g) of raw sugar. Heat gradually until the sugar has dissolved. Boil for 5 minutes. Skim. Leave to cool. Store in dark bottles with screw-on caps or corks.
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Julie · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:27 am Post subject:

An infusion of Thyme is also good for a sore throat, but I suspect the meadowsweet syrup might taste nicer

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Maria · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:35 am Post subject:

Not confident enough to gather meadowsweet, really need to do some more study - scared silly I'll gather hemlock

. I'm still a bit dithery with herbs...i'm getting used to growing and using some when cooking, which is the easy bit as they make things taste grand...but haven't got used to storing or using them in other ways yet. I've tried infusing for tea (really like lemon balm - and other mints) and now elder cordial, but not much else. I haven't really foraged for ingredients either. I have heaps to learn...and want to know it all, right now! Can you tell I'm an impatient sort.

Must remember to ask peppercat when she's having another herbal walk.

Oh, meant to ask - what's the difference between 'viral' and 'flu'?
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andybebbington · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:44 am Post subject:

flu is a type of viral infection (virus)
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