Whilst it is true that a cure for the common cold does not exist, research during the past twenty years into medicinal plants has shown that herbal medicines offer the potential to help the immune system stave off these bugs, as well as to speed healing, once one of them has laid you low.
I’ve divided the herbs into two groups.
The first group consists of those herbs which have proven their worth as primary cold fighters.
The second group consists of herbs that are mostly, though not always, employed to alleviate the various symptoms associated with colds. Depending on your individual needs, some can be used as primary fighters as well.
In the next unit, I share proven herbal cold formulas you can make.
Tips:
1. If you want good results treating your cold with herbs it is imperative that you start treatment the moment you notice that you are feeling sick. Do not wait for your symptoms to develop. Select the remedies you want to use before you have a cold, acquire them and keep them handy. Keep remedies like Echinacea in your car, or purse as well.
2. Making herbal infusions can be a bit of a chore. Make one large batch in the morning and store the remainder of the day’s doses in a thermos flask(s). It saves a lot of time.
3. It is not advisable to use a herb(s) on a daily basis, over a prolonged period of time, without expert supervision. This is especially true for herbs such as echinacea. Always take a break in between. Say one week on, one week off, or apply the age-old herbalist’s rule – “Never on Sundays”.
1. Primary cold fighters
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
This is one of the best remedies to take before a cold strike as it has immense immune-building potential. Scientific studies have shown that it increases nearly every phase of immune system activity.
The recommended dose is 9 to 15 g of dried root taken daily, for about a month in the form of a decoction. Do not use Astragalus to fight a cold, use it as a preventative. Unfortunately, it has become quite difficult to obtain readily in South Africa, but the better health shops do stock it.
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Take Action
- Make a shortlist of the primary and secondary cold fighters that you’d like to add to your apothecary. Don’t overthink this. Just go with with a handful that resonates the most with you.
A) PRIMARY COLD FIGHTERS
1) Echinacea (Echinacea sp) – its ability to boost the production of
white blood cells
2) Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) – provide relief for virtually all of your
cold symptoms
3) Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) – its proven track record as a cold
buster
4) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – standard remedy for aiding the body
in dealing with fevers
5) Garlic (Allium sativum) – for its antibacterial properties
B) SECONDARY COLD FIGHTERS
1) Boldo Leaf (Peumus boldus) – one of the best liver tonics in the
world,
2) Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) – specifically indicated for bronchitis
3) Lime Blossom (Tilia x vulgaris) – well known relaxing remedy for
use in nervous tension.
4) Rose Hips (Rosa canina) – one of the best natural sources of
vitamin C
Echinacea, Elderberry, Ginger, Lemon Balm,
Echinacea, Elderberry & Sting Nettle
Echinacea, Elderberry, and Garlic
Primary:
Echinacea for its ability to boost the production of white blood cells
Elderberry for its proven track record as a cold buster
Ginger for the relief it provides
Garlic for its antibacterial properties
Secondary:
Blood Leaf as something new that I am not familiar with
Hyssop as a mucolitic (diaphoretic) – replacement for Acc200 commonly prescribed by allopathic doctors
Lemon Balm
I will like to add these Primary and Secondary herbs to my Apothecary
Primary:
Astragalus (Astragalus Membranaceus)
Echinacea (Echinacea sp)
Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra)
Yarrow (Achillea Milefolium)
Secondary:
Boldo leaf (Peumus Boldus)
Golden seal (Gydrastis Canadensis)
Hyssop ( Hydsopus Officialis)
Stinging Nettle (Urticaria Dioica )
Echinacea, ginger, elderberry. Peppermint goldenseal, hyssop lemon balm
HOW i love home remedies. I can not wait to plat herbs as can get some from my garden
amazing knowledge
I like keeping these in my apothecary plans. So very helpful learning these
Extremely valuable information to use. I will further study these herbs individually again
Wow, loads of new information.
Excited to try out some of these teas.
I can already see which of the herbs I value more in certain scenarios and what I will use in others. Fascinating stuff. Love it
I didn’t know the extent of benefits for dried stinging nettle. Great information.
A load of valuable information. Can’t wait to see myself in practice.
Wow lots of new and interesting information. Can not wait to try some of them for colds and flu.
Oh my this is a lot of new information. So good to know!
This is amazing knowledge! Glad I have all of these remedies written down and can’t wait to try them!