Natural Remedies for Winter Health By Jane Smolnik, ND, Iridologist, Herbalist, C.I.H.
Please note: This information is NOT intended to treat, cure, prescribe or prevent any disease or illness. It is intended to educate you regarding the use of natural and herbal remedies. Please seek proper diagnosis and treatment when needed.
During the cold winter months it is important to dress warmly, avoid cold drafts and get plenty of fresh air, exercise, and some sunshine several times a week. Drink lots of nourishing hot teas and eat good homemade soups and wholesome foods to keep your immune system healthy and strong. Vitamins A & C, as well as Zinc and Beta-carotene are very important for maintaining health. When a cold or flu get the best of you, natural remedies can be very helpful, making you feel better and recover quickly without turning to synthetic cold medicines. They are designed to suppress your symptoms, but not actually heal you leaving the condition dormant in your body only to immerge again when you are again stressed, weak, or overwhelmed. Herbs help to support your body in doing the job it is supposed to do, which is to eliminate the cause of ill-health by cleansing out or eliminating any unwanted virus, bacteria, fungus, toxin, or parasite. With a strong, healthy immune system, you should NOT contract colds every year! Even a couple of colds a year indicates a weakened immune response.
Immunity - A suppressed immune system can be the result of a lack of balanced nutrients, too much or long term stress, toxins or pollutants in our environment and foods, as well as toxic build-up in our bowels from poor elimination. Tobacco, alcohol use, poor diet, sugar, and high cholesterol levels can also reduce our immunity. Your thymus gland can be stimulated by thumping on your breastbone, much like Tarzan did in the movies. For a daily deep immune builder I recommend using Astragalus extract, or eating fresh garlic daily. For an immune system "boost" to fight off an impending cold, sore throat, or flu, you can use Echinacea extract 3-6 times a day at the first symptom, but only for a couple of weeks at a time. It is important to take breaks from Echinacea since it is not a 'tonic' which builds, but is used to 'boost' the immune system so it will help you most when you really need it. Other herbs to help your immune system are: Yellow Dock, Burdock, Licorice, Dandelion, Goldenseal, Dong Quai, and Ginger.
Head Colds and Sinus Congestion - For upper respiratory tract congestion, avoid all mucous forming foods such as dairy products, breads, sweets, eggs, and cheese. You can use herbs such as Goldenseal, Usnea, Myrrh, Elder Flowers and Goldenrod (see our Sinu-Drain Formula) four times a day for up to three weeks to build your immune system, help fight viruses and bacteria, and flush impurities out of your mucous system. Herbal decongesting steams are a MUST! Place just 1 drop of an essential oil (like Eucalyptus, Pine, Thyme, Lavender, Oregano, or Camphor)in a large bowl, fill with steaming hot water. Place a large towel over your head, and breathe in the steam for 10 minutes (1-2x a day). Use these same oils in a vaporizer of humidifier, in the bath, or plug the tub when you shower and add a drop to the water. You'll inhale the steam and absorb the oils through your feet!
Aromatherapy sprays are excellent! Spray them on your pillow, on the shower wall, clothes, and in the air to keep from spreading germs as it opens up your nasal passages. Drink herbal teas that are decongesting such as sage, thyme, elder flowers (see our Winter Cold Tea). Dilute fruit juices (especially orange juice, or avoid it altogether) as they are very sweet. Take 500-1000 mg. Vit. C every 2 hours, or add Rose Hips or Hibiscus Flowers to your tea for a big boost of Vit. C! Zinc will help reduce the duration of a cold. Use zinc lozenges every two hours. Of course lots of Echinacea Extract will also help tremendously. Be sure to get lots of Vit. A, 180 mg. A day (or use vitamins in natural, plant-based forms).
Chest Colds / Coughs - Drinking teas or taking extracts of some of the following herbs will help to expectorate mucous. Soothe irritated mucous membranes, prevent bacterial growth, and relieve spasms of coughing - Mullein, Coltsfoot, Elecampane, Plantain, Lobelia, Ephedra, Slippery Elm, or Licorice. (Check our Essential Breathing formula) Wild Cherry bark lozenges, Horehound candies, or Slippery Elm lozenges help to soothe. Decongesting steams or baths are also suggested to relieve congestion! Drink hot Ginger tea with honey, or aqueeze lemon into hot water and add honey.
Sore Throats / Swollen Glands - Continue the above herbs to build the immune system. Gargle frequently with Sage and Thyme Tea, Apple Cider Vinegar, or sea salt added to warm water. Echinacea, Cleavers, or just a few drops of Poke extracts will help relieve swollen glands. Myrrh or Usnea extracts are strong anti-bacterials used for strep, staph, and upper respiratory tract infections (4x a day for 10-14 days - please check with a naturopathic doctor before giving to a small child under 12 months). Slippery Elm lozenges are very soothing, as are many teas. Eat lots of garlic, take Vit. C, Echinacea, and get plenty of rest.
Ear Infections - Use Goldenseal and Echinacea extract every two hours! Warm some Mullein Flower and Garlic Ear Oil to body temperature (not too hot please) and add two drops to each ear several times a day. This is very specific help for inner ear infections. Keep ears covered with a wool hat when outdoors. Get plenty of bed rest. Drink HOT lemonade or Ginger Tea. Drink lots of liquids. Snort warm Goldenseal tea (clears the sinuses). Chop an onion in half and bake on foil until warm and soft. Place warm onion over the ear and cover with a towel. It will draw out excess ear wax. Or heat up some plain salt in a dry pan, fill a clean and tie the ends. Place the warm salt pack over the ears. Also draws and helps relieve pain. Meadowsweet, Vervain, or Willow Bark contain aspirin-like chemicals which help to alleviate pain and reduce fevers. Check with physician if it doesn't improve quickly. Instead of turning right to antibiotics, keep our 'Strong Immunity' formula on hand and use often. It will naturally help to kill any bacterial infection and keep the immune system strong at the same time.
Look for allergies! 85-93% of people with chronic ear infections have allergies! The most common culprits are milk, corn, wheat, dairy, eggs, oranges, and peanut butter. Do not "bottle-feed" a baby lying down. Breast feeding helps prevent ear infections! Use nutritional support with Vit. A & C, and Zinc. A study has proven that children who are treated with antibiotics are more likely to have recurring or chronic ear infections. Build the immune system with nourishing soups, foods, and teas, and reduce junk food, white flour and sugary foods! Shittake mushrooms are great for building immunity. Massage baby toes for ear infections. Always cover the ears when outside in cold weather. Continue to treat for at least a week after the symptoms have passed.
Flu- Continue the above for colds and respiratory tract. Take your immune tonic of Echinacea, Goldenseal, Astragalus, or Myrrh and Usnea for anti-viral and anti-microbial actions. Use Boneset to help relieve achiness and fevers! Get plenty of bed rest and drink lots of fluids. Keep a thermos of hot teas next to your bed along with your tinctures. Don't worry about eating. Have hot soups, broth, or miso soup. Burn some sage or sweet grass to purify the air, or use natural aromatherapy sprays. Change the sheets often. Use essential oils in warm baths or vaporizer. Continue hot lemonade, but avoid orange juice. Follow steps to reduce fever.
Fever - A well-maintained, moderate fever actually helps to warm the body, stimulate the immune system, burn off infections and to encourage sweating out toxins. Do not let it become out of control! (For children 101-103 is moderate, adults 100-102) Goldenseal has three times the anti-pyretic action of aspirin to help reduce fevers! It is a natural anti-microbial. Other useful anti-microbials are Usnea, Osha, Myrrh, Garlic, Clove, as well as Eucalyptus, Lavender, and Oregano essential oils, quite effective against bacteria, staph, streph and ecoli. Also helpful for fevers are Catnip, peppermint, yarrow, and elder flowers. Cool packs over the head and feet may help to reduce temp., but keep the body warm, free from chills. A warm catnip enema will help rehydrate the body quickly and lower the fever. Fasting may be helpful. Eat lots of raw garlic and drink plenty of fluids. Be sure to see your doctor if fever persists!
Fever Blisters / Cold Sores - For Herpes Simplex virus, use Licorice root extract, both internally and on the spot. According to David Hoffmann, it can produce irreversible inactivation of herpes! Nutritional support with Vit. A, C, E, Zinc and Lysine are important. Ice helps with the pain. Keep the body well hydrated and free from excess stress to avoid outbreaks. Camphor, Oregano, or Tea Tree essentia oils topically also help.
Recommended Reading: The New Holistic Herbal by David Hoffmann, M.H. Elemental Publishing The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Drs. Michael Murray, and Joseph Pizzorno, ND The Healing Power of Herbs and The Healing Power of Foods by Dr. Michael Murray,ND
Jane Smolnik is a Naturopathic Doctor, Iridologist, Intuitive Energy Healer and Master Herbalist. She has a private practice in Asheville, NC. Call 828-777-JANE for a personal consultation Visit: www.drjanesvitamins.com for vitamins and supplements.
