The flu season is approaching us a lot earlier this year with people already going to their doctors to get the flu vaccine. Be prepared and arm yourself early with herbal medicines!
Herbal medicines help the immune system to function to its best ability and ward off bacteria and viruses that are lurking on door handles and coming home with your kids from school.
These are some of my favourite remedies:
Support the immune system and relieve the symptoms of cold and flu with a tasty tea brewed with ginger (2- 3 slices of fresh ginger per cup of hot water) and a generous pinch of cinnamon. Ginger and cinnamon are warming herbs that work to help thin and clear mucus from the nose and lungs which also helps to create a less painful and more productive cough.
Taking these warming herbs as teas have the added benefit of hydrating the body as well as their medicinal effects.
Sage is great for sore throats (including laryngitis and tonsillitis) and fever, has a wide-ranging effect on drying bodily secretions and can be beneficial where mucus is watery and abundant.
Pop a few leaves of fresh sage in a cup (or 1 ½ teaspoons dried herb), add boiling water and let seep covered for 5- 10 minutes then enjoy the soothing powers of Sage. Sage should be avoided if pregnant or breast feeding.
Thyme is a respiratory spasmolytic which means it relaxes the bronchioles and smooth muscles of the lungs therefor being beneficial in a wide range of respiratory disorders including non- productive and productive coughs, whooping cough, bronchitis, asthma and topically for tonsillitis and inflammation of the mouth.
It also has antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial and antioxidant actions which help the body’s immune system fight infection.
Thyme tea can be made with about 3 teaspoons of fresh herb or 1 ½ teaspoons dried herb. Add boiling water and let seep covered for 5- 10 minutes.
