Stocking your herbal medicine chest for flu season

By Jonathan Evans Herbal Information Specialist /Business Representative for the Herbarium Special to PRIME Welcome to Autumn, or what is passing for the season this year. As I write this column it is 76 degrees outside and I must admit, it is a funny feeling to be telling you about getting your natural medicine chest in order for the cold and flu season. Ah well! Herbs for colds & flu There are numerous herbs that may help stimulate the immune system and combat cold symptoms. There are numerous ways to take them, depending on your preference. Most of the herbs can be brewed into a tea, or infusion. Alcohol or glycerine extracts are commonly used and are stronger than the infusion method. An alcohol extract will deliver both water and fat soluble compounds. If you really do not like the taste, capsules and tablets are available. Remember, the following is just a list of possible herbs. It is not necessary to use all of them, though you will find many in combination . Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) this is one of Mother Nature's most powerful and effective antibiotics with anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. We use Goldenseal in much the same fashion that a pharmaceutical antibiotic would be used, that is, for 10-14 days and then stop. Goldenseal does not destroy the good bacteria in your gut, but it is an endangered species, and recent over-harvesting has seriously diminished the natural stock. Try to use this herb sparingly, or according to directions. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), Elecampagne (Inula helenium) and Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) help support respiratory function and help relieve cough and congestion Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) contains anti-viral compounds. Israeli researchers found this extract great for fighting the flu virus. Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) and Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) help promote healthy adrenals and a normally functioning respiratory tract. Gargling with thyme, goldenseal, garlic or Echinacea is helpful o relieve a sore throat Mushrooms especially Shitake, Maitake or Reishi are powerful foods, rich in 1, 3 beta glucan and helps support innate and adaptive immunity. Pound for pound, mushrooms are incredibly nutrient-dense and health-promoting foods. Echinacea. Despite the reports you may have read about Echinacea not having any effect on curing a cold, the evidence does show it effective for preventing secondary respiratory attacks, shortening the duration of a cold and relieving the symptoms The chicken soup cure One great cold and flu remedy that is often overlooked but very effective is Matris fowlasoupis, or Mom's Chicken Soup. There is actually a great deal of evidence pointing to using the chicken soup as a health aid. It's warm, thins mucous, soothing to the mucous membrane, easy on the digestion, and depending on how much garlic and vegetables you add to the stock, a very nutrient-rich food The scoop on Hawthorn Berry Recently on our radio show, we discussed the uses for Hawthorn berry (Crategus oxycantha) Hawthorn is first and foremost of the heart tonics, and so much more. Hawthorn has a normalizing effect on the heart, improves cellular metabolism, increases blood flow to the heart, and strengthens the heart's contractions, thereby improving blood flow throughout the body. Hawthorn contains flavinoids which have been shown to dilate peripheral coronary blood vessels, and Hawthorn is a rich source of procyanidins, which exert antispasmodic and sedative effects. Conditions which Hawthorn has been used to treat include: regulating high and low blood pressure; angina; Reynaud s syndrome; hypertension; insomnia; rhythmic disturbances; and strengthening venal and arterial walls. To top it all off, Hawthorn exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Jonathan Please send your questions on botanical remedies to Natures Rx : Jonathan Evans via e-mail at info@theherbarium.com, or by regular mail at The Herbarium, 264 Exchange Street, Chicopee, MA 01013.