There was a time when each household had plant-based medicines on hand for simple, acute conditions, such as colds and flus. Medicines were sourced from kitchen spices, gardens, and local herbalists. Each household had someone with knowledge from previous generations about healthcare using simple remedies. What remains of this traditional household knowledge is very valuable to our ­communities, alongside the knowledge provided by ­modern science.

Colds and flus are common and, while modern antibiotics can’t treat these viruses, herbs can support the healing process and immune system. We can use anti-viral herbs like elderberry or immune modulators such as echinacea and reishi mushrooms. We can use mullein to soothe irritated respiratory tissues and to generate a more efficient, less fatiguing cough. We can also use linden and chamomile to ensure good sleep to aid recovery from illness.

Thyme is an herb that most ­households grow or keep in stock. Medicinally, it’s ­useful for digestion as well as for ­treating ­respiratory infections. Like thyme, ­chamomile and meadowsweet are ­traditional household medicines used to remedy nausea and other digestive ­symptoms of the flu.

For both colds and flus, diaphoretics such as peppermint, elder, and linden ­support the immune reaction of fevers. They don’t stop the natural process of fever but open peripheral circulation bringing heat to the surface to assist the sweating that eventually cools the body.

Colds can be treated with herbs that relieve sinus congestion, such as ­elderflower, or with herbs that have a ­specific ­affinity for the lungs (such as elecampane and ­marshmallow leaf). Lung herbs can be stimulating, drying, and warming (like thyme), or softening, moistening, and cooling (like marshmallow), and can be applied to the opposite type of cough.

Each plant brings unique ­characteristics to the healing process and each person ­resonates with certain plants. I would be honoured to offer assistance in ­personalizing herbal formulas – whether the herbs come from my apothecary or from your garden. I offer private appointments and a ­Saturday morning drop-in clinic that focuses on ­simple conditions, ­including colds and flus. Visit Linden Lotus in ­Fernwood Square or at lindenlotus.ca.