Bayberry, what have i got myself into?

so, seriously people.  this is another week where the herb i am drinking matches up with symptoms that present themselves in my family.  and this time it was me!

I woke up one morning with a swollen left gland under my jaw line.   it quickly turned into a sinus issue with incredible pain and a sore throat.  gargling with saltwater and turmeric powder really soothed the sore throat, works every time.  but i was still left with this awful sinus thing.  aha!  bayberry!

Michael Moore  suggests that it "increases lymph circulation and helps prevent the ineffiecient, poorly drained engorgements of the sinus membranes."  it is very astringent, which can help tone atonic tissues.  in my notes from herb school, James Snow lists it as a stimulating anticatarrhal and decongestant.  the botanical or Latin name for bayberry is Myrica cerifera, but the species californica is also used...though less often.

so, I mixed up some bayberry...and added osha, thyme, balsam root (which i never would have thought of if it weren't for drinking it earlier in this blog) and red root.  man, was it astringent!  that bayberry really puckers you up.  the tea was sorta red and had this dark, thick look to it...probably a combination of all the herbal magic going on.  I have to say, it really helped.  The next day, i was in much less pain in my sinuses and was feeling much less tired and sick as well.  Cheers to bayberry and friends.

but now i am left to wonder what herb is next?  and to hope that i don't have to get sick to see that it works!

melissa