SENTIENT TIMES Dec/Jan 2002

Herbal Help for Winter Weather

By Chanchal Cabrera MNIMH, AHG

It is that time of year again—winter is here and we seem to get more colds and sniffles. Several things contribute to this. Viruses and bacteria prefer cooler temperatures and reproduce faster in the winter. We also tend to spend more time indoors in close proximity to others and thus exposed to more bugs. Microbes don’t particularly like oxygen so staying indoors and breathing recycled air supports them too. Most of us eat more carbohydrates and less fresh foods in the winter, which may compromise our immune function. But actually, of course, we are exposed to microbes all the time and the real reason we get more colds at all is due to a lowering of the body’s resistance, thus prevention is the best cure.

Wash Your Hands. Even being coughed or sneezed on may not cause you to catch a cold because your nasal passages have mucous to protect you from microbes. But if you touch a surface on which a microbe has landed then inadvertently transfer it to your mouth you are very likely to get infected. Scrupulous personal hygiene and frequent hand washing with soap and hot water is possibly the best preventative action you can take. Beware also of sharing cups or eating utensils and don’t dry your hands on shared towels. And, of course, don’t kiss someone with a cold.

Sleep and Rest. The immune system functions optimally when the body is under parasympathetic control. This occurs when we are sleeping, meditating or relaxing. Thus adequate quiet and rest are very important in preventing and treating a cold.

Liquids. During a cold the mucus mem-branes of the upper respiratory tract tend to get dry which further irritates them, as well as providing a more hospitable environment for viruses. Drinking lots of fluids rehydrates the membranes as well as enhancing white blood cell activity, which fights the microbe.

Avoid Sugar. Sugar acts to impair immune function, probably by inhibiting uptake of vitamin C into white blood cells. Sugar of all sources (natural as well as refined) should be avoided while suffering from a cold, or indeed by anyone with diminished immune function. Note that this also includes fruit sugars in the form of dried fruit or juice, although fresh fruit is fine because of the high water content.

The common cold is differentiated from influenza mainly by the severity of symptoms. Influenza tends to occur in epidemics and the sufferer feels really ill with a high fever and aching bones. Because of the high likelihood of complications, influenza is best treated by a qualified practitioner, while simple colds are readily treated at home. The major symptoms of the common cold are nasal congestion with watering eyes and sneezing; ear aches; dry, sore or scratchy throat; swollen cervical lymph nodes; slightly raised temperature; fatigue. In most people a cold will last 5-7 days. With the use of natural remedies you may be able to reduce this to 2 or 3 days, but the symptoms may actually get worse as the body’s immune system is stimulated to fight off the infection.

Natural Remedies for Colds

The following herbs are traditionally used to boost resistance and speed healing. You can make them into teas by steeping 1 oz of your herbal blend in 1 pint of water overnight and drinking it hot or cold the next day. Sweeten with honey and cinnamon if desired. You can also take these herbs in the form of tinctures (alcohol extracts) which are available from health food stores or herbal clinics.

• Herbs to boost the immune response, reduce lymphatic swelling and soothe coughs: Cleavers Rosehips, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Elderflowers, Licorice, Echincea, Thyme.
• Herbs traditionally used to soothe chesty coughs and strengthen the lungs: Elecampane, Marshmallow, Licorice, Wild Cherry, Horsetail, Mullein, Pleurisy root, Lobelia.
• Aromatic essential oils that may be rubbed over chest and throat as a natural immune stimulant, diluted to 4% in a base of grapeseed, almond or mustard oil: Eucalyptus, Sage, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Pine, Ginger.
• Herbs which are tonics and regulators for the immune system to fight infection and increase resistance to bacteria & viruses: Echinacea, Licorice, Garlic, Thyme, Wild Indigo, Milk Vetch.
• Herbs to soothe and heal earaches and ear infections: Mullein oil, St. John’s Wort oil, Garlic juice, Tea Tree essential oil.
• Herbs for sore throat: Gargle with a tea made of Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Myrrh and Goldenseal. You can swallow it after gargling.
• Herbs for excessive mucus (head colds): Use anti-catarrhals eg. Eyebright, Sage, Goldenrod and Plantain. You can also make a steam inhalation with essential oils such as Eucalyptus, Thyme, Sage, Pine, Fir and Peppermint. Place 3–5 drops of oils in a bowl, cover with boiling water, place a towel over your head to capture the steam and breathe deeply. Be careful because it i stimulated to fight off the infection.

Cough Syrup

Make a syrup with Marshmallow root by soaking 1 oz of dried root for 12 hours in 1 pint of cold water. Press out and bring the liquid to a boil. Dissolve 1 lb of brown sugar in the hot liquid. Boil again then skim/strain. Take 1/4 oz. each of dried Ele-campane, White Horehound, Licorice and Hyssop and add to 1 1/2 pints of cold water. Bring to a boil and reduce to 1 pint. Add 1/4 oz. of Irish Moss and leave to cool. Strain and press out the liquid. Add 3/4 pint of honey and the marshmallow syrup. Stir in 20 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Anise oils. Take 1–2 teaspoons several times daily. This will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.

Supplements For Immune Support

Basic coverage to take all winter (all doses for adults—for children use less): Vitamin C, 1–3 grams; B Complex, 100 mg daily; Co enzyme Q10, 90 mg daily; Beta-carotene, 25,000 iu daily; Zinc picolinate, 25 mg daily.

Additional items for extra coverage: N-acetyl-glucosamine, 1500 mg; Quercitin, 1500 mg; Lactobacillus Acidophilus, 6 billion bacteria three times daily between meals; Royal jelly and bee pollen; Chlorophyll supplement such as Chlorella, Spirulina or blue green algae; Antioxidants such as Pycnogenol, Grape seed extract, Lipoic acid.

Chanchal Cabrera has been a professional member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (UK) since 1987 and lectures internationally on medical herbalism, publishes widely in peer-reviewed journals and is a consultant to the Canadian Ministry of Health in Ottawa. Also qualified in allergy therapy, Reiki and clinical aromatherapy, Chanchal has recently joined the clinical team at Center for Natural Healing in Ashland and can be reached at (541) 488-3133.

SENTIENT TIMES
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