Herbs for Colds

     As I mentioned a few days ago, we are all nursing colds. It is amazing how yucky a cold can make you feel. To get some relief we turn to herbs. I don't like putting the chemicals found in cold medicines into my body and especially not into the little bodies of my kids so I give the natural remedies a chance first and then if we don't start to get better I will use the "western medicines". Many modern medicines we take today get thier main ingredients directly from plants. The difference between getting the medicine from the dried herb and getting it from a pill is that the pill has all the nutrients that herbalists believe (me included) are essential to healing the body.
     So, I will be putting some natural remedies up on here whenever the occasion arises. This occasion allows me to talk about herbs to relieve a cold.

 Four or five times a day I brew myself a cup of tea that has echinacea, elder berries, and peppermint. Echinacea and elder berry are very effective in boosting the immune system so at the first sign of any illness I begin brewing myself a tea with both. Elder berry is very gentle so its a good herb to use with children. Plus it kind of tastes good. Peppermint adds a good flavor to any tea (as herbs don't always taste as good as nyquil) and the menthol found in peppermint helps open up nasal passages. If my nose gets stuffy I put 3 or 4 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil into a bowl of boiling water, put a towel over my head and breathe deep. Eucalyptus is effective in opening up nasal passages as well.
     It is always a good idea to drink lots of water (many common ailments are a symptom of dehydration) but it is most important during an illness. Brewing hot tea helps you to get your daily amount of liquids.
     If you are interested on buying some herbs my favorite place to buy them is Mountain Rose Herbs. They have many organic choices and they offer information on every herb. They also have essential oils and other neat things.