Immune system boosting isobutlyamides and other alkylamides popularly known as RxA Factors are found in the roots and mature ripe seed of Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea – so now is the perfect time for a healthy harvest to make some tinctures and other wellness formulae.

A little known fact is that Echinacea supports the tissues of the throat and sinuses and protects from airborne stressors – including pollution and winter virals.

So here’s one way to avail of all that

Echinacea and Thyme Flu Buster (a quick blitz tincture)

Ingredients
• ½ cup echinacea root
• ½ cup thyme leaves
• 500ml vodka or brandy

Method
Blitz all the ingredients in a blender – as fine as possible – pour into a jar, cover and place in a sunny window, to be shaken daily for a week. You can dip in then, but preferably let it sit for a second week and then strain away the solids and bottle up.

Dosage and duration 10–25 drops of the tincture, three times daily for five days, with a short break of two days before the second round. Do that each round and it makes it more effective – continuous uninterrupted use and the effect begins to decrease as the body adapts to its presence in the system but short gaps keep its intensity up.