Stock up with these natural remedies to help combat winter coughs, colds and other common ailments:
- Aconite
- Echinacea
- Elderflower
- Ginger
- Honey
- White Horehound
- St John’s Wort
- Tea Tree Oil
- Vitamin C and Zinc
1. Aconite
If taken promptly, this homeopathic remedy may either stop a cold from developing, or reduce its severity and duration. It is also good for a dry, hoarse, or ‘crowing’ cough. Aconite is indicated when there is a sudden onset of symptoms, particularly after exposure to a cold, dry wind.
How to use Aconite
At the first sign of a cold or flu, take one Aconite 30c every hour, until symptoms improve, for up to 4 doses. Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, or using essential oils for 15 minutes either side of taking the remedy. For a cough, take one tablet morning and evening until symptoms improve.
2. Echinacea
It’s a good idea to take this herbal remedy when you’re feeling run down or are in contact with people with coughs, colds or other infections. Renowned for its antibacterial, antiviral and immune-boosting properties, it is an excellent preventative. However, some holistic practitioners advise against using echinacea routinely, believing it is more effective when taken for up to three weeks followed by at least a week’s break. Studies have also shown that echinacea can reduce the severity of symptoms and speed recovery.
How to use Echinacea
Available from chemists and health stores in tablet or tincture form. Take as directed.
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3. Elderflower
Taken as a hot tea, elderflower induces sweating, helping to reduce a fever and clear the body of toxins. It is also an excellent decongestant and one of the most effective herbs to help clear catarrh, blocked sinuses and chest infections. Elderflower is said to enhance kidney function, relieving fluid retention and increasing the herb’s decongestant effect.
How to use Elderflower
Make a tea using 1 to 2 tsp dried herb per cup of boiling water, and leave to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes before drinking. Take three times a day. Alternatively, take Elderflower extract, as directed.
4. Ginger
A great circulation-booster that helps prevent and alleviate cold fingers and toes, or rheumatic pains brought on by cold, damp weather. Its antiseptic, stimulating and expectorant properties promote perspiration and can help bring down a fever and expel phlegm from the chest and sinuses. It’s also good for chilblains and is a wonderful winter warmer on an emotional as well as a physical level.
How to use Ginger
Make a tea using 1 to 2 tsp dried herb per cup of boiling water, and leave to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes before drinking. Drink 3 times a day. To boost circulation, and for fevers and chilblains, make larger quantities of tea and use as a foot bath once cool enough to immerse your feet in. You can also add 2 drops pure ginger essential oil to 1 tbsp grapeseed or sweet almond oil and massage into affected areas. Try a footbath and a massage 2 to 3 times a day. If you have high blood pressure, do not use ginger.
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5. Honey
Honey is an excellent skin moisturizer and can be used to soothe the dry, chapped skin and sore noses that accompany streaming colds. It also provides a protective layer to prevent further damage. Honey has an antibacterial action and is a soothing remedy for sore throats and coughs. Don’t give to children under the age of one as there is a small chance of allergic reaction. Brush your teeth 30 minutes after consuming honey.
How to use Honey
Smooth a thin layer over the affected area, as required.
6. White Horehound
This herb is said to ease muscle spasm and soothe inflamed respiratory mucous membranes, helping alleviate coughs.
How to use White Horehound
Make a tea using 1 to 2 tsp dried herb per cup of boiling water, and leave to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes before drinking. Drink three times a day.
7. St John’s Wort
Also known as hypericum, this herb has a proven reputation as an antidepressant. Recent research suggests it can also help relieve seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression which affects thousands of British people every winter. The study found that it was particularly effective when combined with phototherapy (light-box use).
How to use ST John’s Wort
Available in tablet form from HerbsMD. Take as directed.
8. Tea Tree Oil
This antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral and immune-boosting oil is an effective treatment for cold sores. If used at the first sign of a cold sore developing it may prevent a full-blown outbreak, and can speed the drying up and healing process. Also used to treat many other winter ailments, such as colds, flu, chest infections and sinusitis, and to limit the spread of air-borne infection.
How to use Tea Tree Oil
At the first sign of a cold sore, dab a little neat oil onto the affected area. Continue to do this, 3 to 4 times a day, until the sore has healed. To help loosen chest, nasal and sinus congestion, expel catarrh, and reduce the spread of airborne infection, add 4 to 5 drops to a burner filled with water. For upper respiratory congestion you can also add 8 to 10 drops of oil to a bowl of boiling water, cover your head and bowl with a towel and inhale the vapor for 5 minutes. Do this 3 times a day.
9. Vitamin C
An amazing immune-booster, with antibacterial and antiviral properties. Vitamin C may stop a cold dead in its tracks if taken as soon as the first symptoms appear. A large number of studies have shown that it can help reduce the duration and severity of a cold.
How to use Vitamin C
As a preventative measure, take 2000 mg vitamin C a day. At the first sign of a cold, take 3000 mg, followed by 2000 mg every 4 hours (or three times a day). As you start to feel better, reduce the dose to 1000 mg three times a day and once better continue for another 3 days and then revert to your usual maintenance dose. If the dosage causes loose bowels, reduce until you reach ‘bowel tolerance’, and/or use calcium ascorbate, which is a less acidic form of vitamin C.
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10. Zinc
Zinc is the most important immune-boosting mineral and has an antiviral effect. Studies have shown that it can reduce the symptoms and duration of a cold. Sucking zinc lozenges helps soothe a sore throat, and studies show this speeds the healing process.
How to use Zinc
Take 15 mg a day for prevention and treatment. This should be taken as part of, or alongside, a multivitamin and mineral supplement, as many nutrients work in synergy with one another. As zinc supplements can deplete copper levels in the body, make sure you take a multi-supplement containing copper. Take zinc lozenges as directed.
