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Village Herbalist 3: Herbs for Colds, Flus, Hay Fever & Allergies

publication date: Feb 24, 2008
 | 
author/source: Heather Nic An Fhleisheir
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This lesson could not be more timely. As I was recording this lesson with Heather, I actually felt a flu coming on strong. It travelled throughout my house over the last 6 weeks, but I had remained immune...until NOW.

Thanks to Heather I got some new ideas on how to treat myself herbally. You see, Heather thinks it is insane that the conventional wisdom of dealing with a cold is, "Go home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids." Especially when we have so many healing herbs available to us.

  • Colds & Flu: 
Colds, coughs and flu are the immune system flexing it’s muscle.  When they linger too long or come too frequently they can lead to being run down and turn into more serious conditions.  Learn how to identify the first signs of infections and to make simple remedies to rebuild, revitalize, prevent re-infection and contagion and keep yourself in good spirits.

  • Herbs for Hay Fever & Allergies:
  ‘An  ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ and now is the perfect time to start. We’ll discuss preventative measures, dietary and environment considerations as well as pre-season formulas and remedies to help during acute phases.


Not only does Heather cover the herbs that are helpful, she also has some innovative ways of using them...

In this lesson Heather covers...

  • Using "sequencing" when treating
  • About viruses and anti-viral herbs
  • Dealing with lymph build up, sore throats
  • What foods NOT to eat
  • Nourishing yourself, Tips on staying well
  • Prevent viruses from hanging around to avoid re-infection
  • Helping respiratory conditions and congestion
  • Heathers special tea blends for colds and allergies
  • The differnt types of coughs and how to treat
  • How to lessen allergy symptoms, preparing for allergy season
  • How to deal with a bad allergy attacks herbally.

 

 

Click the play button above or you can download an mp3 file here.

 

Click once on the icon above to download a transcript of this lesson. 

About contacting Heather... Please use the Forums to ask questions about this lesson. Please do not email Heather questions, for she is very busy and unfortunately does not have the time to respond. If you want to contact Heather, she is available for consultations for a fee. 

 

You can also order any of the herbs or ingredients she mentions on her website. She gives instructions on how to do that there. If you choose to email an order, make sure ORDER is in the subject line.

Comments

SueAnne Smith (Youngs Cove)
Canada

Wow so much information. It sure makes me think about my health in different ways. I can't say thank you enough. Great information Heather and John. Sue
Anna Beale (Phila)
great info! but PLEASE- if anyone is ever moved to transcibe, Id pay for a copy! I just dont ahve time to sit leisurely & listen -though Id value that experience..Im sadly feeling impatienst at the lovely pace. in the long term, im switching my life rhythm (Ill be out of school in August!0 but in the short term..transcription, anyone?!
John Gallagher (Carnation)
Transcriptions WILL be in the future..promise... You can put it on and iPod or a cd you can listen to in the car?
Anonymous
Incredible! Thanks again for all this wonderful info-especially about March being THE height of cold/flu season...now I'm off to make some honeygar using the garlic honey I have sitting on the counter. Get well soon John and Thanks so much Heather for sharing.
Sara Gowin (Las Vegas)
Regarding the fever control: I was taught that one should try to keep a person's fever below 101, but until then don't interfere unless it causes problems. The reason for this Heather referred to, that fever is the body's way of killing the virus. Has anyone else heard when to and when not to treat a fever?
Penny Bowser (Iron Mountain)
Wow Do I have the notes!!! THANK YOU!! I sit here drinking the flu/cold infusion I made last night happy to know so much more now. Especially since I have 3 of the 4 in my house with the flu :( Also the info on allergies was excellent I can not wait to try using cypress when an attack comes on. This web site is more than I could have ever asked for!!!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!!
Shelli Vitale (Saint Peters)
In response to Sara Gowin, I too have been taught not to interfere with a fever until it reaches 101. However, Heather does mention that you need to make yourself uncomfortable warm. Perhaps this takes the place of the fever.
Rose Scarlet (West Plains)
After listening to the cold & flu lesson, I made a tincture of elder flower and another of yarrow. Just in time, because a couple of days ago I caught a doozey of a cold, and I had the medicines I needed right there! With the strong peppermint infusion, the anti-viral herbs and a couple of days of solid rest, I've just about gotten over it. Thank you Heather and John for this great resource!
Rose Scarlet (West Plains)
Well, I am afraid I have to take back what I said earlier... sorry! I did start feeling better after about the third day of my cold and told people "I think I've turned the corner." However, I've continued to say that for two weeks now and still have a cough and stuffy nose. I am wondering if I just didn't let my herbs steep long enough. I used elder flower, boneset and yarrow tinctures (in hot herbal tea), peppermint infusion, and cherry bark and mullen cough syrup. I also soaked in a wormwood and hyssop bath with a few drops of rosemary essential oil. When I give these things to other folks, they generally work, but they didn't have dramatic results for me.

I was off work for a week, and for all but two days of that, I rested most of the time.

Any ideas folks? What did I do wrong?

Rose