Cold & Flu Season

This winter has had incredible fluctuations in weather.  First its warm and rainy then cold, windy and snowing.  I personally believe a body does best when weather is stable.  So for me, I feel healthier when winter is cold and remains cold for a period several months.  Circulating cold and flu virus seem particularly nasty this year due mostly, I believe to seesawing temperatures and conditions.

Herbal preventatives and remedies abound and are very effective.  This week, I will finally be bottling my own favourite tincture to treat both cold and flu, not just the symptoms,  but to hurry it up and out of a body a soon as possible.  All of my tinctures are made with pure grain alcohol in various strengths, depending on the herb.  If alcohol is to be avoided at all costs, then it can be evaporated out by simply covering the tincture dose with 6 oz. of boiling water and letting it sit for 10 minutes.  The resulting, "tea." has no alcohol content, but all of the medicinal value of the tincture.

What goes into my cold and flu tincture?   I  initially combine every herbalist's basic cold/flu remedy Yarrow, Mint and Elderflower tinctures and then I will add those tinctures I feel also speed up recovery, Echinacea, Mallow Root, Nettles, Catnip and either Hyssop or Elecampagne.  Now, for a lesson in Herbal compounding, I will tell you why I choose these herbs.

Yarrow: It is a diaphoretic herb, meaning is encourages sweating, thus relieving the kidneys, releasing toxins, reducing a high fever and clearing infected cells from the system.  Yarrow is also mildly calming, assisting in the rest needed to recover fully.

Peppermint:  Also a diaphoretic herb, peppermint is also a strong digestive, easing stomach upset and easing nausea.  Also, it helps clear sinus congestion.

Elderflower:  These beautiful flowers are collected in early summer, they are a well known anti-viral herb, promote urination and assist in lowering high fevers.

Echinacea:  Stimulates the immune system by increasing white blood cells and stirring up t-cells, both of which attack viral and bacterial infections. 
Marshmallow Root:  This is a demulcent herb, what marshmallows were originally made from and a fantastic anti-tussive, meaning is stops coughing and gets rid of Flem.  Further, it coats the stomach, helping with nausea.

Nettles:  Super herb, I use this herb in many preparations.  A terrific nutrient and remineralizer,  vitamin c and lots of iron and calcium.  It is a diaphoretic, a tonic and, it gets rid of drippy nose.

Catnip:  I love catnip it makes me happy, helps with sleep, is again a diaphoretic herb and will get rid of the nasty, dehydrating diarrhoea common with flu.

Hyssop: An excellent expectorant, meaning it brings up Flem, induces sweating ( diaphoresis) and, it relieves aches and pains.

Elecampagne:  An other terrific expectorant, and it also relieves aches and pains.

I will be blending this compounded tincture tomorrow and it will be available at the shop anytime this week.  If you need it call ahead.  It comes in 4 oz bottles, enough for 24 1 teaspoon (5ml) doses or 6 days.  After 2 days, you should be feeling almost back to normal.  Don't forget, lots of fluids and rest also go a long way to recovery.