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Herbs for Colds

Astragalus/root, Astragalus membranaceus
Used for: Before getting a cold to build up the immune system.
Action: Immune stimulant

Wild Cherry/bark**, Prunus serotina
Used for cough - soothes bronchial spasms
Action: relaxing expectorant

Boneset/herb, Eupatorium perfoliatum
Used for: Fevers, muscle aches of the flu - take warm infusion
Actions: Diaphoretic (promotes sweating), expectorant

Cardamon/seeds, Elletaria cardamomum
Used in a decoction recipe for a cold
Actions: carminative, stimulant, stomachic

Catnip/herb, Nepeta catana
Used for: Feverish colds and flus, thick nasal congestion and congested lungs, diarrhea and upset stomach
Actions: Diaphoretic, astringent (tones mucous membranes thereby creating discharge), sedative

Cayenne/fruit, seeds, Capsicum frutescens
Used for: stimulates blood circulation during cold or flu
Actions: vitamin C, stimulant, tonic, diaphoretic, irritant

Chamomile/flowers, Anthemic nobilis, or Matricaria recutita
Used for fever and restlessness in children
Actions: anodyne, antispasmodic, bitter tonic, diaphoretic

Cinnamon/bark, Cinnamomum species
Used in a decoction recipe for a cold warming digestive,
Actions: antispasmodic, diaphoretic, antiseptic

Echinacea/root, herb, flowers, Echinacea species
Used in Acute infection of any kind with weakened immunity such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, otitis, etc.
Actions: Antiviral, antibacterial, immune stimulating, blood cleanser

Elder/flower, berry, Sambucus nigra or canadensis
Used for Colds and flus, especially of the upper respiratory tract, such as hay fever and sinusitis or fevers.
Actions: Diaphoretic, expectorant (decreases mucous accumulation).

Elecampane/root, Inula Helena
Used for: Coughs due to colds, flu, bronchitis, etc.
Actions: Expectorant, antibacterial

Forsythia/flowers, Forsythia suspensa
Used for: colds and flu - especially good at the first signs
Action: antiviral

Garlic/cloves, Allium sativum
Used for: Chronic and acute bacterial colds and flus, especially of the upper respiratory tract, with cough and mucous production; for ex. bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough.
Actions: Antimicrobial, antifungal, expectorant and diaphoretic.

Ginger/rhizome, Zingeber officinale
Used for: good for first signs of cold /flu or for full-blown cold/flu
Actions: antiviral, diaphoretic, suppressing cough

Goldenseal/root, Hydrastis canadensis
Used for full-blown cold - inflamed mucous membranes
Actions: Tonic, laxative, digestive, antiseptic, vasoconstrictor, antimicrobial, antihistamine.

Honeysuckle/flowers, Lonicera japonica
Used for colds and flu - especially good at the first signs
Action: antiviral

Lemon/fruit
Used for colds, cough - good in syrups
Action: vitamin C

Lemon balm/herb, Melissa officinalis
Used for: Good for colds and flus that produce a fever. Also for colds and flus that cause the person to feel tense and depressed.
Actions: Antispasmodic, diaphoretic, relieves stomach and intestinal gas.

Licorice/root, Glycyrrhiza glabra
Used for bronchial problems with a cold or flu
Actions: expectorant, laxative, demulcent, antiviral

Lomatium/root, Lomatium dissectum
Used at first onset of a cold or after full-blown
Action: Antiviral

Marshmallow/root, Althaea officinalis
Used for coughs associated with a cold or flu, sore throat
Actions: expectorant, demulcent, antiseptic

Mullein/flowers, leaves, Verbascum thapsus
Used for earaches (oil of the flowers), coughs with a cold or flu - very soothing
Actions: relaxing expectorant, antiviral

Onion/bulb, Allium cepa officinalis
Used before and during a cold - cough syrup - as a poultice
Actions: antimicrobial, expectorant

Osha/root, Ligusticum porteri
Used during a cold or the flu
Action: expectorant

Rose/hips, Rosa species
Used as preventive or during a cold or flu
Action: vitamin C

Sage/herb, Salvia officinalis
Use as a gargle, during a cold/flu, or as a tea
Actions: Astringent, antimicrobial

Schisandra/berries, Schisandra chinensis
Use before getting a cold to build up the immune system.
Actions: Tonic, astringent

Spearmint/herb, Mentha spicata
Gentle herb, good for children, good for colds and flus of the gastrointestinal tract and mild fevers.
Actions; Antispasmodic, prevents vomiting, relieves stomach and intestinal gas, diaphoretic, reduces pain.

Thyme/herb, Thymus vulgaris
Used as a tea during a cold/flu
Actions: Antispasmodic, antimicrobial

Watercress/herb, Nasturtium officinale
Used before or during a cold/flu
Actions: vitamin C, minerals, expectorant

Yarrow/flowers, Achillea millefolium
Used for fever associated with colds and especially the flu
Action: diaphoretic

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