Here are my top 5 items to have in your home medicine chest for the late fall and winter season:
Ginger: Ginger is a very warming herb and helps to increase circulation. The dry form is more heating than the fresh root. It helps reduce nausea associated with stomach bugs and overindulgence. For people experiencing colds and flu it helps to warm the body. Ginger also helps to reduce pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It combines well as a tea with chamomile, especially if someone has a lack of appetite. Ginger is also a nice addition to a bath. You can steep a cup of tea for 5 to 10 minutes and add to a bath with or without Epsom salts.
Echinacea: Echinacea can be used in a tea, capsule, or tincture. Tea is my favorite method for acute viral or bacterial infections. It combines well with other herbs, such as goldenseal, and is especially useful for infection of the upper respiratory tract such as sinusitis and tonsillitis. For tea the suggested dose is 1-2tsps per cup. Bring the water with the dried herb to a boil and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. You can drink this 3 times a day.
Homeopathic Oscillococcinum: Taking this remedy at the first sign of flu symptoms can often reduce the duration and intensity of the flu. If it does not help in the first 6-8 hours, it probably won’t at all. Another great common homeopathic remedy for flu symptoms is Gelsemium. The symptom picture of those who will be helped by Gelsemium is a heavy, often achy sensation in the limbs, a dull and drowsy feeling with redness in the face and heavy, droopy eyelids.
Homeopathic Nux Vomica: This remedy can often help with symptoms cased by overindulgence or a stomach bug. The person who will benefit from Nux Vomica is often irritable and “wants to but can’t.” This may apply to vomiting, sneezing, belching, or passing stool. They also tend to be very chilly.
Passionflower and/or Valerian: An herbal tea or supplement that has Passionflower or Valerian can help to support the levels of the calming neurotransmitter GABA. These herbs can be helpful for sleep or just to help calm a nervous system run ragged by holiday stress. Caution though, Valerian does not combine well with alcohol. It can cause a reverse reaction and keep you up at night or give you some rather interesting dreams.
