Entering the rainy and colder months of the year, it can feel magical to take long cozy walks in nature or to get all comfy at home. However, it’s also the time of the year when cold feet, sweating, a rainy or a frosty day increase our chances to catch a cold or flu. Additionally, the likelihood to encounter people sniffing and coughing around the office or sitting next to us on the bus or train increases exponentially. Slowly and insecurely moving our head into the opposite direction, the face sinking into a hiding position behind the scarf – “Please don’t let me get a cold or flu!” 🙂
Let’s definitely hope that if you get sick, it won’t hit you too hard this autumn or winter! There are certainly some great herbal remedies that could help you recover faster. Many of them can be applied as an SOS remedy when there was no time yet to visit a doctor. Others can bring us magical support to regain vitality after lengthy infections and fatigue.
Here comes a powerful herbal tea to remedy cold or flu.
In my 0,25l pot, I mix:
- one teaspoon of Thyme
- one teaspoon of Meadowsweet
- one teaspoon of Pink Rock-Rose
Use hot water, not boiling. Cover the brew while leaving it to steep for 10mins. Add a teaspoon of honey (ideally raw honey) and a bit of fresh Lemon juice. Make sure you cover the tea until you drink it or breathe in deeply with your nose right above your tea pot. The healing essential oils of these plants will be rushing towards you with the steam to start your recovery. Have one freshly brewed tea mix in the morning and one in the evening. Get better!
Why combining these ingredients?
Thyme or Thymus Vulgaris has antibacterial and antiviral properties, it belongs to the so called phytobiotica, offering healing to both, bacterial and viral infections. It is furthermore expectorant and broncho-spasmolytic which means that it supports our body in the release of mucus and relaxation of our bronchial system. Thyme is also known to help our blood flow. Some healers prepare a Thyme-Honey as a treatment to store at home. Like this the intensely healing essential oils of the plant are not getting lost and the honey certainly makes a delicious cough and cold remedy.
Meadowsweet or Filipendula Ulmaria is often used to treat feverish colds as it has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties which means that it can remedy a high temperature and help our body fight the infection. It’s not suitable for people who cannot use aspirin as it has similar components, which to others offer a good alternative in form of natural pain killers.
Pink Rock-Rose or Cistus Creticus has antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant properties. Having its name from growing wildly in fields on the Greek island Crete, the plant used to be praised as a herbal resource against viral infections. The powerful benefits of the Pink Rock-Rose are said to lay in preventing the virus from attaching to our mucus membranes which results in protecting our cells from the virus being able to enter them.
Which other herbal remedies are particularly powerful to treat cold or flu?
We don’t always get to “prepare” for viral or bacterial infections, so below you will find other fantastic herbs that you could alternatively use for your tea, consume raw, mix with honey or olive oil, when the occasion calls for it.
Garlic or Allium Sativum is found in most kitchens and offers antibacterial and antioxidant activities. It’s a traditional remedy for colds, coughs and bronchitis. Garlic is most powerful when freshly cut, either consumed directly or joined with olive oil. Alternatively, you can craft a powerful remedy by mixing fresh garlic into a jaw of raw honey. It’s ideally left for around one week and turned upside down daily, leaving you with a strong natural cough medicine.
Sage or Salvia Officinalis is another classical treatment many of us know from sinusitis or a sore throat. With its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antimycotic properties, it has been used not only as a herbal medicine but also to smudge the space, clearing the energies by burning some dried Sage. If you like the relatively particular smell of the herb, smudging your house can be a great idea in order to cleanse it from germs.
Horseradish or Armoracia Rusticana has antiviral and antibacterial activities, making it a highly appreciated natural remedy to treat cold, flu and sinusitis. It furthermore supports our immune system. Horseradish should be consumed freshly cut or grated as essential oils are otherwise lost and the healing qualities reduced. You can simply store the root in your fridge (like ginger or turmeric) and use it when needed. Make sure to have the radish with or after food as the oils could be quite harsh on your stomach.
Lime Flower or Tiliae Flos is another powerhouse with a long tradition in treatments of feverish colds and cough as well as in healing respiratory infections. Its said to also remedy inner tensions which can be a great combination if we struggle to relax into recovery mode. Lime Flower is often combined with Meadowsweet and Thyme, so you could swap it with the Pink Rock-Rose in the mix above, if you like.
Aniseed or Pimpinella Anisum has secretolytic as well as expectorant properties which means that is a very beneficial herbal remedy to help release mucus from your breathing system. It is furthermore antibacterial. Aniseed has a long traditional application in cough remedies and you would often find it in readymade products combined with Thyme or other herbs.
Ginger or Zingiber Officinale is known for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as warming qualities. One of the inner applications in healing traditions is to warm cold hands and feet which is a lovely experience when you have a cold and maybe even a high temperature. However, Ginger has been used for centuries to heal cold or flu, spend inner warmth, release mucus and remedy coughs as well as helping our body to literally sweat out sickness.
Wormwood or Artemisia Absinthium is in German tradition also called “Heilbitter” (healing bitter) which points towards its strongly bitter flavour as well as its usage as a stomach remedy. The plant is recommended when suffering from high temperature. Its bitter taste is re-activating as it asks our body to respond. Wormwood is applied by some healers in order to treat existing viral infections and particularly effective as a remedy to symptoms of fatigue.
Corina has written a post where she covers the application of some wonderfully healing herbs for face-steaming. Steam treatments are a brilliant way to free your sinuses and feel immediate relief from some of your symptoms: Tea, an essential part to your wellness rituals.
– with love – Your Lina
Please note: As with all things in life, some things will have ripple effects and the amounts make the difference. So please don’t overdose herbal teas either. Especially if you are on medication, suffer a medical condition, are prone to allergic reactions and during pregnancy it’s recommended to seek medical advisory before starting any self medication.
sown & uprooted 