Two years running, I have been hit with the flu. No stranger to most of our kitchens (or to practically every Italian dish), oregano makes a great remedy for coughs either as a tea or inhaled as steam, and even serves as an anti-inflammatory herb for prostate health. In general, for acute conditions, small amounts are taken frequently. The best thing about these recipes is that they can be customized to the individual and many of the herbs can be used to address a variety of illnesses. Try flu natural remedies to help relieve your symptoms. Herbal Remedies for Cough "Cinnamon is used to warm the body and clear mucous congestion due to colds and flus," says Balick. Important Note: Although safe when used as a culinary spice, do not take sage medicinally if you are pregnant or nursing. Cayenne powder – stimulant, anti-microbial, analgesic, carminative, diaphoretic, and expectorant. Use the root of this perennial to give your immune system a fighting chance. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Try: NOW Foods organic rosemary essential oil. If you've never tried an essential oil for healing, start here. For internal use, spread 1 tablespoon on a piece of bread and eat, twice a day during active infection. https://learningherbs.com/remedies-recipes/herbs-for-cold-and-flu Winter is rife with viral booby-traps—there’s a head cold and cough waiting at every gas station pump and pin pad across the land. Try: Traditional Medicinals organic lemon balm tea. Important Note: Slippery elm may delay the absorption of other medications. Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) Friends, if you don’t have anything else in your house, stock up on ginger root! "Traditionally, people have made a hot tea from the leaves for treatment of fevers, coughs, and colds," says Balick. Important Note: Be careful if you have allergies to plants in the aster family (like ragweed), including echinacea. But don’t make it worse with the chemicals found in over-the-counter cold and flu … Water Try: Sambucol Original Black Elderberry Syrup, MORE: 5 Kitchen Cures for Cold & Flu Season. Ginger (root) is often used to treat nausea particularly when associated with motion sickness or morning sickness. The Herbal Academy neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Read on for a few herbs to help you get through the cold and flu season. Then check your email to find a welcome message from our Herbal Academy team with a special link to download our ", Making Herbal Preparations 101 Mini Course, **NEW** Mastering Herbal Formulation Course, Emulsifiers and Preservatives in Botanical Skin Care Products. "Herbal practitioners suggest drinking sage leaf tea or using it as a gargle," says Balick. This makes it effective for breaking a fever and relieving other cold or flu symptoms. Herbs for Cold/Flu can be broken down into a few sections. Traditionally used by Native Americans to reduce fever, loosen phlegm, and relieve the symptoms of the common cold. This little herb could be a whole medicine kit in itself. Fill the tray with water and freeze." Important Note: Although it's safe when used as a culinary spice, do not take cinnamon medicinally if you are pregnant. These culinary herbs and ornamental plants are delicious, beautiful and might even help you get over a cold faster. "Used as a mild sedative since ancient Roman times, this natural sleep aid is nonaddictive and has no known side effects," says Balick. This herb works well as an expectorant and demulcent, and you can use it to make your own herbal cough syrup. There Are Plenty of Natural Herbs for Cold, Which Help Beat Cold Quickly, and Get Some Relief from Running Nose. Add three times as much honey (in volume) to a double boiler (or something you have fashioned yourself that acts like a double boiler). Add juice of 2-3 lemons and honey to taste (approximately ¼ cup). After many flu free years, my poor-self-care-fill-everybody-else’s-cup-first attitude has bit … In many cases, thyme can be substituted. Onion – great for coughs and raw onion keeps the respiratory tract open. "Because this herb stimulates perspiration, it's also used to treat fevers," says Balick. Strain off the leaves and measure the remaining liquid. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. These herbs for cold and flu can help ease symptoms without worries about side effects and complications from pharmaceutical medications. At this point, you can add tincture if desired, cap jar, and shake it to infuse the added medicine. Herbs for Cold & Flu Prevention ~ 3 Hour Class! Finely grate raw garlic and let sit for 10 minutes to activate medicinal compounds. Important Note: Although safe when used as a culinary spice, do not take thyme medicinally if you are pregnant or nursing. Sterilized, dry glass jar and lid, 6 cloves raw garlic These cold and flu cures are deeply rooted in ancient traditions – quite literally. These hairy gray leaves taste like a mix between sage and mint and can be used to flavor soups and meat dishes, and can be used to make antibacterial cleaning products. Heat individual servings on the stove throughout the day when ill, rather than making an individual cup each time. Sorry, Twizzlers fans, but we're not talking about the sugary candy. Important Note: Marshmallow may delay the absorption of other medications. 2-4 chopped garlic cloves He says you can have 2 to 3 cups a day for up to 7 days. Inhale the steam for approximately 10 minutes or more. Stir into the tea until it is completely incorporated. Ginger Tea: 2- 3 slices of ginger per cup of water (or to taste – ginger can be strong). 3-4 slices fresh ginger with skin Ginger (among its many uses) is a diaphoretic, or a compound that induces sweating. Simmer 1 cup of water for every 1 oz of root for 20 minutes, strain, and enjoy. But, any glass jar (mason or recycled food containers) and a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth can be used. It brings heat to the body, which can help dispel coldness. You can also use it as a gargle for sore throats. Top 9 Herbs for Cold and Flu Season. "Elderberry has been called 'the medicine chest of the people' because of the plant's many therapeutic uses," says Balick.