Herbs for cold and flu

Rosalee on Methow Valley Herbs is having a blog party featuring bio-regional herbs for colds and flu. To see all of the country wide herblists who are sharing herbs of their area go to the Blog Party here

Here are a couple of local herbs for the Big Horn County of Wyoming.

Goldenrod, not to be confused with ragweed, goldenrod is a very valuable plant to have in your yard or near by, here we will only look at it use for colds and flu.

Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) is antiseptic, expels catarrah and soothes inflamation. It is useful in treating coughs, colds and sore throats, because it can reduce nasal secretions. (1)

From the (1) Secrets of Native American Herbal Remedies..."The Chippewa chewed the dried roots to relieve sore throat, while the Zuni chewed the crushed blossoms for the same reason. The Chippewa also drank a decoction made from the roots to treat lung trouble."

From The Complete Book of Herb's by Lesley Bremness...."Infuse 2 teaspoones of dried flowering stocks in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes, drink 3 times a day"

According to Jim McDonald..... put a dropper of tinture into a bottle of water and sipe to ease alergies.

Another herb that I have been learning about and am amazed at what it can do is

Red Clover (Trifolium partense)

Red Clover is expectorant, reduces spasms, is useful in clearing congestions and for calming coughing reflex in bronchial infections.

Mrs, M. Grieves in A Modern Herbal pg 208 says..."The fluid extract of Trifolium is used as an alterative and antispasmodic. An infusion made by 1 oz of Red Clover to 1 pint of boiling water may be helpful in cases of bronchial and whooping cough.

Two easy to find herbs that can help us during the cold and flu season.