Herbs For Health Coughs And Colds

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Herbs For Health Coughs And Colds

Herbs For Health Coughs And Colds

At this time of year, the cold is more common than ever. As yet, there is no simple cure, but there are many herbal remedies that can treat symptoms effectively, in contrast to chemical solutions that often only offer short-term relief.

My grandmother had three favorite remedies, one of which is the onion recipe opposite. Another was lemon juice and honey with hot water, just off the boil.

Whether she knew it or not, she was full of common sense, as honey soothes the throat’s lining and boosts energy levels, while lemon, the juice, is high in vitamin c.

She also infused dried elderflower, sweetened with honey. Although it was revolting because she wasn’t excellent at drying the flowers,

I now know that elderflower has properties that ease catarrh, making it a perfect remedy
for colds and hayfever.

It’s worth noting those commercial elderflower cordials don’t have medicinal properties, as they are not based on dried flowers.

Inspired by my grandmother’s remedies’ success, I’ve come up with my own to help prevent and treat coughs and colds.

Treat coughs

I vividly remember taking this when I was recovering from whooping cough.

It is my grandmother’s recipe, and I’ve found it very effective. Fresh onion has an anti-bacterial effect on the airways, as well as being soothing.

This is one of the best overall treatments for an annoying cough. An adult can take one teaspoonful four to five times a day until the symptoms improve.

If your cough has been persistent for more than a week or so, please do visit a doctor as it
could have become a chest infection.

YOU WILL NEED

1 large fresh onion
A jar of clear honey
China bowl,
Funnel
Sterilized bottle
Cling film

1. Peel, top, and tail a large white
onion. Then slice it in half.

2. Place half the onion in a glass bowl
and pour in enough clear honey to
cover the onion.

3. cover the bowl with cling film and
leave for three to four hours –
during that time, the honey draws all
the beneficial juices from the onion.

4. Strain the liquid into a sterilized
bottle and then keep in the fridge.
Use the remedy within two days.

Remedy for chesty colds and coughs

A tea made from thyme {Thymus vulgaris or Thymus pulegioides) and hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is good for treating chesty colds with a bad cough, especially when sweetened
with honey.

It’s an excellent remedy to drink before bed when colds and coughs are often at their worst.

You’ll need one 3-4cm sprig each of thyme and hyssop, washed and patted dry, or ½ teaspoon each of dried thyme and hyssop leaves.

Put the herb sprigs into a cup that has a lid or into a teapot to prevent the steam from escaping.

Pour over freshly boiled (but not boiling) water not to destroy the volatile oils.

Cover and infuse for 5-1 o minutes. Strain using a tea strainer or a bespoke herb tea mug,
which you’ll easily find online.

Drink the tea while warm, sweetened with honey if required.

More remedies for winter colds

Chest infections: Take elecampane (inula helenium) as a tea. This is a traditional remedy
for chest infections, and the root is used in medicines.

You can buy a powdered root from a herbalist to make your own tea at home.

Immune system: Echinacea {Echinacea purpurea, E. pallida, or E. Angustifolia) is excellent for helping you resist infection. Use dried flowers infused in freshly boiled, not boiling, water.

Preventive Action: Drink elderflower {Sambucus nigra) tea at the onset of cold symptoms. It also aids recovery. Garlic (Allium sativum) is another great preventative. Take in capsule form – or eat raw if you have resilient taste buds.

But it doesn’t work when cooked, as this destroys garlic’s healing properties.

Warning: do not take capsules or eat more than three cloves of raw garlic a day if you’re taking anti-coagulant or anti-platelet medication or when pregnant or breastfeeding.

Cooked garlic is totally safe.

Sore Throats: Gargle with a cold infusion of sage (Salvia
officinalis) to soothe a sore throat.

Sinuses: use pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) as a remedy for sinus pain.

Place a handful of leaves in a bowl, pour over boiled water, cover your head with a towel and inhale.

ward off colds with raw garlic

 

 

 

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