A Bit of Sage Advice

  Just a bit of sage advice here, folks.  If you are sick, stay away from the Little Bayou House or prepare to be medicated with some fine herbal tisanes.  It irks me to no end to have noticeably ill people come to the Bayou, claim that they are not sick in the least all the while coughing and sniffling up a storm.  That said, I am issuing a fair warning...if you come here sick, you will be treated and some home remedies are not, lets say, too tasty.  However, since I am not a doctor that can prescribe any of the helpful medicines of today, I can and will whip up a lovely cup of "tea"....and you will drink it...or I will send you on your merry way!

  I have been fighting the onset of a cold for the past four days.  It is not bad as I keep it at bay by using said remedies.  Today, however, I was exposed, not once but twice, to folks with full blown colds...nasty colds with sneezing, coughing, sniffling, sore throats and even fever.  I do not need this!  So...a tisane has been by my side all day.

  My bit of sage advice?  Sage!  Sage is an effective herb to use against the onset of a sore throat.  It works wonders as either a gargle or to sip as one would a tea.  As an added plus with this remedy, it tastes pretty good.  Personally, I love the taste and will drink this just as a warming drink after being outside in the cold and with the cold, rainy days we have been having for the past week, it is just the thing!

  To make this tisane, heat a cup of water until almost boiling.  While the water is heating, fill a tea infuser with about a teaspoon of dried sage leaves.  Once the water is hot, place the infuser in the cup and let steep for a good five minutes.  Sweeten the tisane with honey and stir.  Sip this as you would a cup of tea.  Repeat as often as necessary.  

  So, my advice for when you are feeling sick?  Stay home!  Make a cup of sage tisane.  Curl up with a good book and sip your drink.  This way, you will feel better and you will not share the nastiness with everyone else.