Herbs
and their uses
by
Barbara
and their uses
by
Barbara
Common culinary herbs that may be in your kitchen cabinet or garden and how they pertain to colds and such (if they're not they should be:) They do have other uses but for colds, etc:
Oregano- helps to relieve headache, lung diseases, sore throat, respiratory infections, sinusitis. It is antiviral, anti infectious, antiseptic and an expectorant.
Celery- bronchitis, cough, fever, headache, vomiting
Cinnamon- colds, flu, coughs, chest infections, may help speed healing
Ginger- bacterial and viral infections, improves resistance to infection
Mint- bronchitis, laryngitis, chest complaints, breathing, congestion, cough, throat infection
Chamomile-soothes throat, headache, promotes rest
Catnip- bronchitis, cold, fever, headache, promotes rest
Marjoram-coughing
Licorice-colds, coughs
Thyme- coughing, headache
Turmeric-bacterial infections, viral infections, speeds healing
Other common herbs and also weeds which you can buy and grow and in some cases forage:
Plaintain-congestion problems from ears to chest, colds, hay fever, sinusitis, cough, sore throat
Echinacia- natural antibiotic and immune booster, upper respiratory tract disorders and infections, coughs, colds, flu
Chickweed- expectorant, coughs, fevers, sore throat
Goldenrod- sore throat
Elderberry- prevention and treatment, colds coughs, sore throat
Oak- mouth or throat inflammation
Nettle- expectorant, asthma, cough, nasal allergies
Mullein-expectorant, asthma, bronchitis, cough
Borage- bronchitis, cold, inflammation, mood, fever
Bay leaf- colds (good for diabetics)
Yarrow- fever, reduce phlegm, respiratory infections, speeds recovery, boosts immunity
Eucalyptus- steam inhalation
Sage- steam inhalation, burnt to purify room, as a gargle for sore throat, mouth, gums
Herbs/weeds which can be common if you recognize them:) most can be easily grown:
Self-heal/prunella-sore throat, colds, lung inflammation, stomach upset, tuberculosis
Slippery elm- coughs
Mallow- bronchitis, headache, tonsillitis, hoarseness, coughs, laryngitis, mouth and throat irritation
Hyssop- asthma, bronchitis, colds, coughs, sore throat
Wild geranium/cranesbill- lip, mouth, throat inflammation
Vervain/verbena (not lemon verbena)- bronchitis, colds, fever, insomnia, whooping cough
Boneset-bronchitis, expectorant, fever, flu, respiratory congestion
Meadowsweet- chills, cold, headache
Lungwort-hoarseness, bronchitis, cough
Marshmallow- cough suppressant, throat irritation
Homemade vapor rub recipe
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp beeswax
25 drops rosemary essential oil
20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
15 drops peppermint essential oil
OR the the herbs can be infused into the olive oil instead of using EOs
Melt oil. Add wax. Stir until melted. Add essential oils if using. Pour into small jar. Use on feet, back and chest. For small children or babies use only 1/4 or 1/2 the essential oils.
Elderberry syrup
1 cup fresh or 1/2 cup dried berries
3 cups water
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp fresh ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
Honey
Place everything but the honey in a pot and bring to a boil. Simmer 30 minutes. Remove from heat, strain through a clean cloth and add honey to taste (about 3/4 cup). Pour into sterilized jar.
Take 1 tbsp twice a day to prevent colds and flu. Take 1/2 tsp every 2-3 hours if you ARE sick to promote healing and soothe throat and other symptoms. Can be stirred into hot tea or taken straight.
I grow or forage all of the herbs in the list except cinnamon, slippery elm, borage, marshmallow and mallow. I hope to eventually have them all. Not sure about cinnamon though. These CAN be grown and some are just WEEDS. If you are unsure about identifying the weeds then order seeds and grow them out. Horizon herbs has most if not all of them. Lowes sells some of them as ornamentals. Most of them have other properties which I didn't give because it didn't pertain to the cold/flu subject and this subject alone could fill a book. Do your research on which parts are used and when. Search how they are best used as well. Some do well in a hot tea others may need alcohol to extract the good stuff depending on what you're doing.
Barbara
Oregano- helps to relieve headache, lung diseases, sore throat, respiratory infections, sinusitis. It is antiviral, anti infectious, antiseptic and an expectorant.
Celery- bronchitis, cough, fever, headache, vomiting
Cinnamon- colds, flu, coughs, chest infections, may help speed healing
Ginger- bacterial and viral infections, improves resistance to infection
Mint- bronchitis, laryngitis, chest complaints, breathing, congestion, cough, throat infection
Chamomile-soothes throat, headache, promotes rest
Catnip- bronchitis, cold, fever, headache, promotes rest
Marjoram-coughing
Licorice-colds, coughs
Thyme- coughing, headache
Turmeric-bacterial infections, viral infections, speeds healing
Other common herbs and also weeds which you can buy and grow and in some cases forage:
Plaintain-congestion problems from ears to chest, colds, hay fever, sinusitis, cough, sore throat
Echinacia- natural antibiotic and immune booster, upper respiratory tract disorders and infections, coughs, colds, flu
Chickweed- expectorant, coughs, fevers, sore throat
Goldenrod- sore throat
Elderberry- prevention and treatment, colds coughs, sore throat
Oak- mouth or throat inflammation
Nettle- expectorant, asthma, cough, nasal allergies
Mullein-expectorant, asthma, bronchitis, cough
Borage- bronchitis, cold, inflammation, mood, fever
Bay leaf- colds (good for diabetics)
Yarrow- fever, reduce phlegm, respiratory infections, speeds recovery, boosts immunity
Eucalyptus- steam inhalation
Sage- steam inhalation, burnt to purify room, as a gargle for sore throat, mouth, gums
Herbs/weeds which can be common if you recognize them:) most can be easily grown:
Self-heal/prunella-sore throat, colds, lung inflammation, stomach upset, tuberculosis
Slippery elm- coughs
Mallow- bronchitis, headache, tonsillitis, hoarseness, coughs, laryngitis, mouth and throat irritation
Hyssop- asthma, bronchitis, colds, coughs, sore throat
Wild geranium/cranesbill- lip, mouth, throat inflammation
Vervain/verbena (not lemon verbena)- bronchitis, colds, fever, insomnia, whooping cough
Boneset-bronchitis, expectorant, fever, flu, respiratory congestion
Meadowsweet- chills, cold, headache
Lungwort-hoarseness, bronchitis, cough
Marshmallow- cough suppressant, throat irritation
Homemade vapor rub recipe
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp beeswax
25 drops rosemary essential oil
20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
15 drops peppermint essential oil
OR the the herbs can be infused into the olive oil instead of using EOs
Melt oil. Add wax. Stir until melted. Add essential oils if using. Pour into small jar. Use on feet, back and chest. For small children or babies use only 1/4 or 1/2 the essential oils.
Elderberry syrup
1 cup fresh or 1/2 cup dried berries
3 cups water
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp fresh ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
Honey
Place everything but the honey in a pot and bring to a boil. Simmer 30 minutes. Remove from heat, strain through a clean cloth and add honey to taste (about 3/4 cup). Pour into sterilized jar.
Take 1 tbsp twice a day to prevent colds and flu. Take 1/2 tsp every 2-3 hours if you ARE sick to promote healing and soothe throat and other symptoms. Can be stirred into hot tea or taken straight.
I grow or forage all of the herbs in the list except cinnamon, slippery elm, borage, marshmallow and mallow. I hope to eventually have them all. Not sure about cinnamon though. These CAN be grown and some are just WEEDS. If you are unsure about identifying the weeds then order seeds and grow them out. Horizon herbs has most if not all of them. Lowes sells some of them as ornamentals. Most of them have other properties which I didn't give because it didn't pertain to the cold/flu subject and this subject alone could fill a book. Do your research on which parts are used and when. Search how they are best used as well. Some do well in a hot tea others may need alcohol to extract the good stuff depending on what you're doing.
Barbara