Herb Of The Moon: The Natural Cold & Flu Remedies That Actually Work
For this week’s Herb of the Moon series, we’re delving into the most common illness on Earth: the cold & flu, and our favorite herbal remedies for them.
In March of this year, I caught a nasty case of the flu… and we all know what it’s like.
A burning throat, losing your voice, a perpetually clogged and stuffy face, the heat of a fever, and some truly awful fatigue.
The worst of it has to be the sore throat… and being knocked out in bed from utter exhaustion.
This week, Angie caught the flu too! So when I saw her coming down with the same progression of symptoms I had, we were more than prepared to help her through it.
Thankfully, with the help of key herbal remedies, within 24 hours of being knocked out in bed and unable to move or speak, Angie was zooming around the house with her usual abundance of energy and chattering everyone up- with some leftover coughs and worse-than-usual cat allergies (as we have 3 cats).
It’s said that on average, flu fatigue can last two weeks or more and is considered the longest-lasting symptom. It’s different for everyone, but Angie was able to feel like her usual self again in just 24 hours!
So, if you want to learn our favorite tips for supporting yourself and your family through any cold & flu, read on!
& remember… we are herbalists, not doctors. We post our findings for educational purposes, not as medical advice. Consult your physician before starting new treatments!
The History of Cold Treatments
Throughout history, different cultures and civilizations have outlined thousands of practices, foods, and medicines known to prevent and even heal a mysterious case of sniffles.
Since the pathology of the common cold & flu was unknown for most of human history, our ancestors relied on their intimate knowledge of the body’s energy flows for healing.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, that vital flow of energy is named “chi”. In Ayurveda, it’s known as “prana”. In Ancient Egypt, this vital energy was known as “ka”. To the Lakota people it is “wakan”, and in ancient Sumer, it was “zi”. To many of us, it’s simply Spirit.
Regardless of the name… it was well known throughout ancient history that this innate life force energy could be strengthened or otherwise manipulated for our healing, with sacred foods and plant medicines being one of best ways to do so. Many cultures also had an advanced understanding of anatomy, and blended science and spirit together in the treatment of dis-ease.
A Modern Approach To Colds
Modern medicine typically treats with pharmaceuticals, like decongestants and antipyretics for flu & cold treatments. Think of Tylenol to bring a fever down, or NyQuil for a cough or runny nose. These are effective for the job they perform, which is temporarily stunting symptoms of a cold.
However, the pharmaceutical system may sometimes (mistakenly) equate healing with the suppression of symptoms.
Modern scientific research has now shown that your body knows what it’s doing, and the symptoms of illness, like a fever, runny nose, or cough, can actually work for your benefit.
According to the International Society for Evolution, Medicine, & Public Health, “fever is part of a systemic response to infection”, and “the heat of fever augments the performance of immune cells” induces stress on pathogens and infected cells directly, and combines with other stressors to provide a nonspecific immune defense”.
In other words, a controlled, low-grade fever can be one of your body’s greatest defenses against pathogens. The same goes for other symptoms that are often demonized, like a productive or “wet” cough, a sneeze, or other unsightly and uncomfortable symptoms.
An Herbalist’s Approach to Colds
An herbalist works to support the body, and its billion+ years of intelligent evolution, by supporting its natural healing pathways and soothing unhelpful symptoms.
We do not attempt to stunt or work against the body’s responses to illness. Instead, we support your body by providing the building blocks it needs to heal.
Many herbalists also pay more attention to the energetics of dis-ease than its pathology. That is, if the symptoms are cold or dry, or wet, hot, tense, etc.
For example, we do differentiate between a cold and the flu- but mainly because the flu presents with symptoms that are hot and dry (like a fever), while a cold is typically cold and wet.
Furthermore, we also look at the whole person and their lifestyle. And there are four essential factors that can truly make or break your natural healing experience:
HYDRATION: one of the main reasons people end up in the emergency room for a cold or flu is dehydration. But staying hydrated is so much more than drinking plain filtered water with all the minerals taken out! To remineralize water, you can add a dash of Celtic sea salt. Or you can drink hydrating teas/broths and eat soups, fruits, etc.
SUNLIGHT: A lack of sunlight can have drastic effects on your health, and low vitamin D & sun exposure can lead to depression, anxiety, skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, a lowered immune response, and even heart disease. From personal experience, light therapy is also helpful if you can’t get much sunlight or the weather is bad (but still, the sun is free!).
DIET: highly processed diets, as well as diets high in inflammatory seed oils (canola oil, soybean oil, etc.) can lead to chronic inflammation- which creates a trainwreck of health consequences for your whole body, and leaves you susceptible to many illnesses. Also, avoid sugar when you’re fighting off a cold/flu, as it feeds the harmful bacteria in your mouth & throat.
HYGIENE: when you are suffering from a cold or flu, or surrounded by people who are sick, it’s super important take care of your hygiene. After brushing our teeth, we oil pull (basically gargle and swish) with coconut oil, which has powerful antiviral & antibacterial properties. Also, if you feel stuffy, or your ears are clogged, a hot and steamy shower can open your sinuses and shake up phlegm.
The Medicines
Apart from those factors of health, there’s many herbs and nutrients that can be used to power-up your healing and soothe cold & flu symptoms.
Herbs like ginger, garlic and onions, are used by most herbalists for the common cold, because they have properties of “fire”. They are hot and work quickly, which is great for a damp and cold illness full of snot and phleghm- or even for fatigue, which can be described as “cold” for its sluggishness.
Also, ginger is often considered a “bioenhancer” in some traditional medicine systems, meaning that it boosts the effectiveness of other herbs and medicines.
Symptoms can also have energetic properties. A sore throat and unproductive cough can also signal overly dry, irritated mucous membranes.
So you would use herbs, like the root of licorice, and the bark of the slippery elm tree. These are demulcent when infused in water, or moistening and nourishing to your throat lining.
Furthermore, the viscous consistency of these demulcent herbal infusions coat the throat and trap pathogens, keeping them from further infecting your upper respiratory system.
Another powerful herbal ally is echinacea purpurea. Echinacea falls under the class of herbs known as “immunostimmulants”. Scientifically, the herb has been shown to increase the production of white blood cells like phagocytes, and enhances the activity of other immune system defender cells- like macrophages.
And you‘ll want to drink a lot of it, like a quart a DAY.
Echinacea in particular has a long history of medicinal use. Long before the microscope was invented and the cell was first identified, the Cheyenne and Comanche people of the Great Plains harvested echinacea for sore throats, infectious diseases, and even snake bites.
Like all of our ancestors, they knew it was a powerful remedy for immune health through generations of applied experience and spiritual insight.
In our household, we also use an abundance of herbs like thyme and tulsi, which are known to possess antibacterial and antiviral properties, as well as boosting immune function.
Not to mention that when you boil these herbs in water they release volatile oils that evaporate- meaning you can breathe in the steam to clear congestion and restore the flow of energy to your respiratory system.
And we can’t forget honeybush (one of our faves)! Honeybush is a relative of rooibos, and it’s a delicious caffeine-free herbal tea native to South Africa. It has a naturally sweet taste and a floral aroma, which makes it so, so good for picky kids! Honeybush is also rich in antioxidants which are great for the immune system, and it’s used for soothing coughs, sore throats, and reducing inflammation in the body.
Aside from herbs, there’s a handful of vitamins and minerals that are essential for your immune health, and we’d absolutely encourage you to get enough of these and build up your resistance to illness.
Vitamin C: supports the production of white blood cells and antibodies
Vitamin D: supports the production of immunoglobulin, a protein that protects your body against pathogens
Vitamin A: crucial for maintaining healthy mucous membranes and white blood cell function
Zinc: helps white blood cells fight off infection, and supports the production of antibodies
Magnesium: helps to regulate the activity and production of immune cells. Also helps increase energy, reduces inflammation, and supports your quality of sleep, because sleep is essential for recovery!
So, as we’ve learned, the rich history of cold and flu treatments shows that cultures throughout the world have used a mix of spirit & science to find healing.
Whether you prefer traditional herbal remedies or modern remedies, there are so many options available that can help support your immune health, and allow you & your family to feel your best.
Coming Soon…
There’s a few recipes in particular that are amazing for the immune & respiratory systems, and we’ll be sharing these with you over the coming weeks! We have an herbal tea, an herbal pudding, and a traditional Italian soup recipe to share, all of which have made a huge difference in Angie’s recovery.
& If you want to try working with some herbs that are delicious, warming, and great for immunity (like tulsi and honeybush!), definitely try out our High Spirits Tea! It’s made with a synergistic blend of herbs that help to beat stress and feel energized ✨.
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And as always, because it has to be said… we do not provide medical advice. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.
Love & herbs,