[Klara]

Jacob,

I keep having high hopes for echinacea, but if memory serves me right, I don't remember it ever helping. But Lotus Tea definitely did - and it felt so soothing. First time I tried lotus tea I found it very strange, but like many mb things, I got used to it and enjoyed it alot.

According to Cornelia and Herman Aihara's Natural Healing from Head to Toe, lotus root is effective for all respiratory problem, especially for cough, including whooping cough...also in reducing a child's fever. (p. 237-8)

Also "According to our macrobiotic understanding, sore throat problems are almost always due to eating and drinking too much yin food, especially sugary foods, fruit, and sweet drinks."

For sore throats with no other symptoms they have three suggestions:

1) salt plaster used all night (2 cups sea salt to 5-6 Tablespoons room temperature water, put in center of rectangular kitchen towel, roll on longer side, wrap around neck, with clean dry towel over it - leave on overnight) (p. 188), (different for children)

2. gargle with 1/2 to 1 cup hot bancha tea with salt 3 times a day

3. drink 1/2 - 1 cup shitake daikon lotus root tea 3 times a day (4 - 5 dried shitake mushrooms, 2 pieces lotus root, 1/2 inch thick, 2 pieces daikon, 1/2 inch thick, 2 cups of water - bring to boil,simmer 1 hour, soy sauce to taste, drink hot (p. 240)

To prevent sore throat, they say to keep throat warm either with turtleneck or scarf (p. 139-140).

I've also heard to wear blue around the neck - don't know if that works, but hey, can't hurt.

Good luck.

Klara