{"id":5630,"date":"2025-12-22T19:31:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T03:31:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/22\/combat-cold-season-naturally-with-herbs-from-the-garden\/"},"modified":"2025-12-22T19:31:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T03:31:21","slug":"combat-cold-season-naturally-with-herbs-from-the-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/22\/combat-cold-season-naturally-with-herbs-from-the-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Combat Cold Season Naturally with Herbs from the Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Strewing was the practice of scattering herbs on the floor for their pleasing fragrance and pest repellent properties.<\/p>\n

Introduced to North America in the 1500s, it\u2019s one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in Europe today.<\/p>\n

Potential Cold Season Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A mug of chamomile tea can be effective to treat inflammation, and ease the pain and hoarseness of a sore throat. Its antispasmodic action may also be effective in alleviating coughs.<\/p>\n

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Chamomile steam inhalation is also used to relieve sinus congestion, pain, and pressure \u2013 breathe deeply of its sweet vapors.<\/p>\n

Learn more about chamomile here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

2. Echinacea<\/h2>\n

Bright and cheerful in a sunny border, species from the Echinacea<\/em> genus add beautiful color to the summer garden.<\/p>\n

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Also known as coneflowers, with the purple variety (E. purpurea<\/em>) being touted most commonly for its medicinal applications, these are low-maintenance perennials that spread with ease and produce flowers from mid- to late summer.<\/p>\n

Native to North America, the seeds are a favorite of small songbirds, so be sure to leave some stalks in place when they\u2019ve finished blooming.<\/p>\n

The most popular of therapeutic plants used by Native Americans, coneflower was a common remedy in the treatment of toothache, sore gums, and sore throats.<\/p>\n

All parts of the plant are used for herbal applications \u2013 leaves, petals, and roots. Today, echinacea is one of the most popular herbs used in Europe and North America.<\/p>\n

Potential Cold Season Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mixed with peppermint and hyssop<\/a><\/strong> leaves, echinacea tea is used to reduce cold and flu symptoms like low energy and congestion.<\/p>\n

A tincture of echinacea root taken at the first signs of a cold may reduce its severity and duration.<\/p>\n

For more instruction on making tinctures, pick up a copy of \u201cThe Herbal Medicine Maker\u2019s Handbook: A Home Manual\u201d by James Green.<\/p>\n

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The Herbal Medicine Maker\u2019s Handbook: A Home Manual<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Recommended by the Herbal Academy in Bedford, Massachusetts, it offers clear, step-by-step instructions for creating every type of plant-based preparation.<\/p>\n

You can find this book available on Amazon<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

To learn more, be sure to read our informative article on how to grow echinacea<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 you\u2019ll love its easy-going habits!<\/p>\n

3. Elderberry<\/h2>\n

A beautiful shrub for the garden, elderberries hail from the genus Sambucus,<\/em> <\/em>and are native to temperate regions of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.<\/p>\n

With lovely, lacy flowers that bloom in early summer, dense clusters of purplish-black berries follow. S. nigra<\/em> is the species used most often in herbal remedies.<\/p>\n

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Packed with vitamins and powerful anthocyanins, the berries are a favorite in the kitchen for making cordials, jams, jellies, syrup, and wine.<\/p>\n

But cooks and herbalists alike need to be quick to get their share before visiting birds do.<\/p>\n

Elder has had numerous superstitions attached to it, and was often planted for protection against bad spirits.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll be happy to know that planting an elder near the house and close to doors or windows is said to keep witches at bay!<\/p>\n

Potential Cold Season Benefits:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Made with fresh or dried berries, elderberry tea and tinctures are used in the treatment of flu symptoms, congestion, and sinus infections.<\/p>\n

And elderberry syrup is a favorite to loosen and ease a cough.<\/p>\n

For an excellent syrup recipe, pick up a copy of Rosemary Gladstar\u2019s \u201cHerbal Recipes for Vibrant Health\u201d \u2013 a well-known authority on herbal medicinals, her recipe book is a classic.<\/p>\n

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Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

You can pick up a copy of this book from Amazon<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

To enjoy the beauty and bounty of this pretty shrub, read up on how to grow elderberries<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

4. Eucalyptus<\/h2>\n

Native to Australia, the fresh, cleansing scent of eucalyptus <\/strong>(<\/em>Eucalyptus globulus<\/em>) <\/em>fills the air on a hot summer\u2019s day as the heat releases its essential oils.<\/p>\n

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A fast-growing tree or shrub in the myrtle family, eucalyptus likes a sunny, warm environment with water available deep into the root zone.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been successfully introduced into many countries and has naturalized in several regions, including southern Europe, North Africa, the Peruvian Andes, and California.<\/p>\n

Used for millennia by aboriginal Australians, crushed leaves were used to heal skin wounds, while the pungent vapors were inhaled to clear the mouth, throat, and sinuses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n