| Over the last few days, I have watched the media | | | | to treat colds, flu and upper respiratory infections. It is a |
| accelerate in alerting us to the possible shortage in the | | | | powerful, antimicrobial, anti-flamatory and antiseptic |
| H1N1 Swine Flu vaccinations. We are being warned | | | | herb. An Osha tea or tincture can be taken in small |
| that the H1N1 virus will hit this winter in pandemic | | | | doses every half hour to an hour. |
| proportions. Many of us are quite frankly confused as | | | | - If your cold symptoms become inflammatory, take an |
| to the prevenative/treatment approach for ourselves | | | | herbal antibiotic or anti-microbial - such as Golden Seal |
| and family members. As practicing herbalist, I have | | | | (Hydrastis canadensis) or Echinacea (Echinacea |
| been asked my opinion on this provocative issue. | | | | purpurea) in tea or tincture of up to 7 days. These are |
| Vaccinations are sometimes necessary. The elderly, | | | | both powerful herbs and should be regarded as such. |
| persons with a compromised immune system and | | | | - If you are congested, have a cough or phlegm |
| very young children should be protected. Caregivers | | | | present - use an expectorant, astringent, and |
| are needed and are often not enough. Therefore, | | | | antispasmodic herb. Echinacea can kill germs and dries |
| caregivers and educators should consider getting | | | | phlegm. Echinacea can be a drying herb, so you should |
| vaccinated. With that being said, the decision to be | | | | not take when you have a dry cough. Use an herbal |
| vaccinated should be weighed carefully. Are there | | | | steam of Peppermint (Menta piperita) and Eucalyptus |
| sensible and easy options to protect you and your | | | | (Eucalyptus globules)to help with the congestion. Other |
| family without being vaccinated, while the choice is still | | | | herbs that can help are: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), |
| ours? Sure there are, and one choice is to use an | | | | Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)and Wild Cherry (Prunus |
| herbal approach. | | | | serotina), Elecampane (Inula helenium) and |
| Herbalism like prevention, is all about personal | | | | Thyme(Thymus vulagris). |
| responsibility, responsibility to yourself and others. If you | | | | - For a sore throat - use a soothing demulcent (an |
| are sick, prevent others from being so by self | | | | herb which provides moisture) such as Marshmallow |
| quarantining. Most employers have viewed the H1N1 | | | | Root (Althaea officinalis) and Slippery Elm (Ulmus |
| virus as a serious enough threat to encourage their | | | | rubra). Osha can also be taken to reduce inflammation, |
| employees to utilize their sick days when feeling ill. | | | | it will soother and anesthezie. A gargle can be made |
| Some have even allowed employees to take days | | | | with Yarrow, Sage (Salvia officinales) and or |
| even when you have exhausted your sick time. | | | | Echinacea. |
| Prevention in this case and all other health concerns, is | | | | - For Ear Infections - An ear infection usually begins in |
| the most worthwhile consideration. Specifically for this | | | | the throat and spread to the inner ear via the |
| flu season, building your immune system should be | | | | Eustachian tube. Use an anti-microbial such as - Garlic, |
| your utmost concern. | | | | Echinacea, Mullein or/and Meadowsweet (Filipendula |
| Herbs that build the immune system and can be taken | | | | ulmaria) for the pain. |
| prior to feeling ill are: | | | | - For a Fever use an herb that is febrifuge (brings |
| Astragulus (Astragalus Membranaceus) - A potent | | | | down a fever) and diaphoretic (promotes sweating), |
| immune enhancer. Best taken before cold and flu | | | | such as - Ginger, Boneset - relieve aches and pains, |
| season strikes, it builds the body's resistance. | | | | Peppermint, Elder Flowers, Catnip (especially great for |
| Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus Senticos) - Has | | | | young children) and Yarrow.here is also much to be |
| anti-viral properties and boost the immune system. | | | | said about using herbs topically to prevent the spread |
| Codonopsis Root (Codonopis pilosulae) - For immune | | | | of infections. According to the story, in Toulouse, |
| deficiency and frequent infections | | | | France during the time of the plague four thieves were |
| Schizandra Berries (Schizandra chinensis) - Boost the | | | | robbing and stealing from the dead, without falling ill |
| body's immune function | | | | from the plague. When they were finally apprehended, |
| Reishi Mushroom - (Ganoderma lucidum) - Stimulates | | | | and sentenced to death for their deeds, a judge |
| the immune system | | | | allowed them their lives if they reveal their secret of |
| All of the herbs listed above can be taken as a tea or | | | | how they were able to handle the diseased bodies |
| a tincture during this flu season on a preventive basis. | | | | and remain immune themselves. Their secret was a |
| What to do if you are feeling ill: | | | | formula of herbs and essential oils that is antimicrobial, |
| Know your body and recognize the symptoms of | | | | astringent and antiseptic properties!ou can easily make |
| illness. Everyone begins to feel ill in a different way; | | | | similar formula to use as a room spray and hand |
| fatigue, sore throat, headache, nausea, chills, etc. The | | | | sanitizer to protect yourselves and others from getting |
| first hour of an illness setting in is most important in | | | | ill. Use two ounces of distilled water to 1/2 ounce |
| treating that illness. An herbal approach to treatment of | | | | vodka, and add 30-40 drops of any of the following |
| the flu includes all of the following: clearing toxins and | | | | essential oils: Sage, Thyme, Frankincense, Pine, |
| excess conditions by increasing sweating, killing germs | | | | Lavender, Rosemary or Oregano. Shake well and |
| and reducing fever, pains, stiffness and congestion. | | | | spray on surfaces, in the air and on hands. |
| His is accomplished by stimulating a natural immune | | | | Above all use common sense when feeling ill; avoid |
| system response. | | | | cold, raw foods, dairy products, dress warmly, and get |
| - At the first signs of the Flu - a diaphoretic remedy | | | | the rest your body needs. Do eat lots of garlic in your |
| such as Osha Root (Ligusticum porteri) which can be | | | | diet, miso soups, and organic vegetable broths. Take |
| taken, it will encourage sweating and help to eliminate | | | | care of yourselves and each other this flu season! |
| toxins. Osha Root was first used by Native Americans | | | | |