 It’s that time of year again, and though I love the snow here in the UP, I hate being shut up inside with all those germs floating around. Even for the healthiest souls, it’s hard to avoid the common cold and flu that shows up every year at this time, so I’ve put together a little herbal medicine chest for you so when the buggies do come, you’ll be ready.
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First thing in the chest is a large container of garlic oil. I use this at the first sign of a cold. Just rub it into the soles of your feet, put on some nice warm wooly socks and go to bed. Garlic is a natural immune system builder and is wonderful anytime, but especially when you’re sick. And this is a great remedy for the children as well! To make the oil, take several cloves of fresh garlic and chop them fine. Put them in a Mason jar. (use a big one, or you’ll be sorry you didn’t make more!) and cover with warmed, not hot, pure virgin olive oil. Put a layer of gauze or muslin over the jar and screw down the lid so it can breathe, and the moisture can escape. Otherwise, you’ll have moldy oil! Let it sit for 4 weeks in a sunny window and stir every day. When it’s finished, strain off the garlic and put the oil in a bottle. I use a bottle with a pump on it so I can use it for cooking as well!
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Next you will need something for those nagging coughs. Elecampane is one of the best expectorant herbs there is. I like to add wild cherry bark to my formula as well. Find a good source of organic root, (Mountain Rose Herbs is my favorite supplier) and infuse it in some pure, raw honey. This is a great remedy for the kiddos. Just infuse the root and bark in the honey for 2 weeks. You can chew on the root if you like and then spit it out or strain it off and just use the honey by the teaspoon full.
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Elderberry syrup is a must have for the cold and flu season, so make sure you have some on hand. Elder has been used for centuries and is one of the most well documented herbs for colds and flu. It is an expectorant, reduces phlegm, stimulates the circulatory system, promotes sweating, acts as a diuretic, and topically, it is anti-inflammatory. You can get this at most health food stores if you don’t want to make your own, but in my never to be humble opinion, homemade is always the best. It also goes under the name Sambuca, and it’s wonderfully tasty and safe for children. I have done all the work for you, so get my Elderberry Syrup in a Bag. You simply add water and pure, raw honey and you’re set.
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A good herbal steam is essential for the congestion and sinus problems that often accompany a cold, so gather up some eucalyptus, pine needles, rosemary or peppermint and pine essential oils, pour them in a basin of boiling water and inhale the healing vapors. You can also do a Neti Pot, though many people can’t seem to get the hang of this. I add 2 and only 2 drops of pure tea tree essential oil to 8 oz of water along with the saline packet. You can buy these in the drug store.
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I love raw ginger for several things, but first for nausea. If you have the flu, your tummy is going to be upset, so make sure you have plenty of raw ginger in the house or get the pickled type in the Japanese food section. Make a tea or just chew on a piece of the pickled ginger. Ginger is wonderful for any respiratory ailments, so good for the lungs, coughs, breathing difficulties etc.
Lastly, the best thing you can do when you have a cold is to help your body.
Avoid dairy, drink pure, clear broths like chicken broth. No cream soups when you’re sick. Drink lots of liquids, teas, juices, amino acids, and grass juices. Stay hydrated and let your body heal itself. Get plenty of rest and stay home.
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Make sure you are taking your vitamins. I always increase my Vitamin C to 3000 mg. in the winter. Also, have plenty of echinacea and goldenseal on hand and at the first sign of a cold take 3 caps a day for at least 2 weeks.
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Stay Warm, Stay healthy and LET'S GET BETTER!
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