Hello World!  I am feeling sad today as I am so tired of talking politics with those that disagree & think only their opinion is the right one. My opinion isn’t going to change; nor is yours, so we can agree to disagree & move on. I am finished with politics. We are stuck with what we are stuck with for the next 4 years. I hope I am wrong, but doubt that I am. We will see what we will see. I won’t talk politics with anyone again!

These are the only words you’ll ever see from me on my blog regarding politics. I learned a long time ago that the 2 things that cause disagreement in the world the most are politics & religion so I won’t discuss either.

Now, back to health & wellness. I want to talk about herbs & how they can help keep you healthy at this time of year when we are around so many people…… 

Potent Healing Herbs for Cold & Flu

Tis the season of comfort & joy as the carol reminds us, but it’s also the season of socializing & with that comes the spread of cold & flu viruses. Fortunately, you don’t just have to suffer. There are many great herbs for colds & flu—both to keep your immune system strong to prevent these nasty infections or to help your body fight them off. Here are some excellent choices:

Echinacea—Who hasn’t turned to this beautiful flowering plant for help preventing or fighting off a nasty virus or to shorten the duration of time spent suffering from a cold or flu? Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea or Echinacea angustifolia) has become the go-to herb for just such occasions for good reason: it works. Research in the journal Advances in Therapy found that Echinacea extracts significantly reduce the risk of recurring respiratory infections. Other research in the journal Cell Immunology has also been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms of respiratory infections. Use one teaspoon of the dried herb per cup of boiling water. Drink one cup 3 times daily at the first signs of a cold or flu.

Elderberry—One of the best antiviral herbs, dried elderberries, elder leaves or flowers can give your immune system the boost it needs to fend off viruses, including colds & flu. David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG, herbalist and author of the book Medical Herbalism: The Science & Practice of Herbal Medicine, reports that an alcohol extract of elderberry was effective in laboratory tests against 10 strains of influenza virus. It also reduced the duration of flu symptoms for 3 to 4 days in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. Use 2 teaspoons of the dried flowers or herb per cup of boiling water. Drink one cup 3 times daily at the first signs of a cold or flu & throughout infection.

Garlic (my fav :))—Garlic is a well-established antimicrobial herb. According to renowned botanist James Duke, author of The Green Pharmacy, garlic contains several different antimicrobial compounds that can help while battling colds & flu. One of the most antiviral compounds is known as allicin. Thanks to its pungent flavor & aroma, garlic is best suited as additions to foods like soups, stews, chili, curries or other savory fare, but it doesn’t make a particularly good tasting herbal tea. Alternatively, you can crush one clove of fresh garlic & mix it into a teaspoon of honey & eat at least one per day to help prevent or eliminate a cold or flu.

Lemon Balm—One of the most anti-viral herbs available, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), has been proven effective against the herpes virus but it can also help with cold & flu viruses. That’s because, according to Dr. Duke, lemon balm quickly & effectively slows the entry of the virus into the cells. Use one teaspoon of the dried herb per cup of boiling water. Drink one cup 3 times daily at the first signs of a cold or flu & throughout infection. Keep in mind that lemon balm is not the same as lemongrass.

Peppermint—Peppermint (Mentha piperita) has natural antiviral properties but its potent vapors also help to alleviate sinus congestion linked with colds or flu. Use one teaspoon of the dried herb per cup of boiling water. Drink one cup 3 times daily at the first signs of a cold or flu & throughout infection. If your sinuses are severely packed, you can also make a peppermint tea that you cool & use as a facial spritzer.

Yarrow—In the herbal world, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is known as a diaphoretic herb—one that induces sweating. The skin is your body’s largest detoxification organ, & in some cases of high fever or serious infection, sweating is one of the best ways for the body to reduce its internal temperature & eliminate toxic buildup linked to infection. Many herbalists recommend the use of yarrow in combination with potent antibacterial herbs like ginger & Echinacea to combat infections. Use one teaspoon of the dried herb per cup of boiling water. Drink one cup 3 times daily.

***Even though it isn’t an herb, I want to add honey & cinnamon to this list as it helps me so much.***  I make a paste of 1 tablespoon of honey with a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon. It gives me energy in the morning; makes a scratchy throat feel better & it does a number of other things which I’ll discuss another time.

If you click on any of the links scattered throughout my blog, you will get more detailed information if you want it.

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