Season of cold and flu looms on the horizon, and, as they say, “The best offense is good protection!” With so many variations of the flu virus and the “cold” in general, even the best vaccinations and due diligence cannot protect you and your family from getting infected and never too early to make sure your other forms of protection are ready.
For those who want to rely on mother nature, there are several excellent herbal alternatives, not only to mask the symptoms, but also to restore the body to its natural state of health. From personal experience, Yarrow and Elderberry are two of my favorites.
To break a fever: Yarrow is known as a diaphoretic or sweating herb. Sweating or sweating is known in alternative medicine and injuries as one of the best ways to restore health. Despite the fact that fever is disturbing, especially among parents of young children, fever is actually a means of getting rid of toxins and restoring circulation to equilibrium. Herbs, such as yarrow, help to cause fever to the limit, where the body gets rid of toxins and regains balance.
Administering hot infusion of yarrow increases body heat, levels blood circulation and produces sweat. Pour one pint of boiling water per ounce of yarrow, cover it for a few minutes, then let it go as warmly as possible to endure. This can help strain the infusion before use or put loose Yarrow herb in a cotton tea bag before pouring it with water to avoid getting the herbs in your mouth. In terms of taste, it can also help add a touch of stevia, since the taste of Yarrow itself can be somewhat bitter. However, when you encounter the flu or when you have a cold, a quick shot or two infusions of yarrow to cure the disease is worth a few minutes of a bad aftertaste that may follow!
For treating common cold and flu symptoms: Elderberry (also known as the black aged man) has been used for centuries as a tonic for colds, flu, and sinus infections, and I see it coming back to the store shelves today. Sambucol is sold in local pharmacies both in syrup and in pill form and should be taken at the first sign of illness. You can also find pure Elderberry extract syrup sold in vitamin and supplement stores or through their online sites. Although most parts of old flowers have historically been used for medicinal purposes and certainly have their own advantages, recent studies by Israeli virologists have suggested that Elderberg extract may be most effective against the influenza virus, blocking replication.
If you prefer to do it yourself and create your own flu remedy, try combining Elderberry flowers with peppermint leaves, which also have antiviral properties. Below is a recipe adaptation that the Dominion Herbal College in North America taught me - the oldest school of herbal medicine.
Bring one pint of distilled water to a boil. Combine one ounce of dried peppermint leaves and one ounce of the oldest dried flowers in a saucepan. Pour a pint of distilled boiling water on top. Cover and warm the stove for 10-15 minutes. DO NOT boil the mixture, as peppermint is very unstable and should never be boiled. After 10-15 minutes, strain the infusion and keep it warm and cover. Administer for adult patients in 2 to 4 ounce servings every 30-45 minutes until the patient breaks the sweat. Once the patient is sweaty, reduce the dosage to two tablespoons (0.5 ounces) every one to two hours. Be sure to give warmth and until the patient is sweating freely, then let the patient rest for the night.
Copyright © 2013 Dale Barr. All rights reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for or professional replacement, professional examination, diagnosis or treatment. Dale Barr does not give medical advice; diagnosis or treatment; or legal, financial or other professional services, and waives any responsibility for your decisions based on this information. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding your health condition.
