Put Up Your Dukes with Herbal Remedies

It's midwinter and that always seems to signify Round 2 of the fight against colds and flu.

Although I haven't done any scientific, epidemiological study, it sure seems that most of us have our first bout just after the weather turns cold, this year earlier than usual.

This being our first real winter in many, some people have had repeated bouts of illness: others have had a particular cold or cough just hang on for months or never bounced back up to their normal energy or strength levels.

In all these areas, there are a number of herbs that can help you fight back.

Everyone usually turns to those tried and true remedies:

Goldenseal and Echinacea.
Echinacea is, without a doubt, one of the foremost remedies.

Roots, leaves and flowers were used originally by the Native Americans for a wide variety of ailments, such as toothache, sore gums, sore throat, enlarged glands (including mumps and tonsillitis), headache, antidote for snakebite and many other poisonous and septic conditions, venereal disease, G.I. tract problems, dyspepsia, increase saliva flow, as an analgesic for pain including burns, rheumatism, arthritis, wash for reducing fevers, coughs and as a veterinary aid for distemper in horses (Moerman).

Echinacea destroys the germs of infection directly, and bolsters the body's defenses, kicking white blood cell production into high gear and stimulating T-cell activity.

Experimental data from hospitals in the 19th century verified its antiseptic and anesthetic (remember that numb feeling in your mouth from drops of potent Echinacea tincture), body temperature equalizing (lowering fevers and raising subnormal temperatures), abilities.

Recent research in Germany shows that Echinacea and hyaluronic acid (the material found in tissues that "cements" cells together, forming an effective barrier against infection), combine to increase resistance to the enzyme carried by bacteria and viruses that breaks down this protective barrier.

Research also shows its ability to protect cells against herpes, influenza, and canker sores and that echinacin, its active constituent, exhibits interferon-like activity.

"Take it early, take it often" (as much as every hour or two at first onset), is my favorite concept when you need to fight off an attack on your system.

There is some discussion in the literature about Echinacea's abilities as a tonic.

Since it kicks the immune system into high gear, my opinion is that Echinacea is best utilized at the onset and during illness, and refrain from long-term use. There are far better herbs as a long-term immune tonic.

Utilizing Reishi Mushroom, Astragalus supplements, or Red Lapacho (Pau d'Arco) tea as immune system tonics for several months, gently boosts immune function so you have it when you need it.

Goldenseal is the other part of the mainstream, herbal "dynamic duo." Long noted, especially by the Eclectics in the 19th century, Goldenseal is a potent infection fighter.

Research over the last 150 years has confirmed its antibiotic actions.

The alkaloids berberine and hydrastine have been used against a variety of infectious agents, including gram positive bacteria, staph and strep, and gram negative bacteria like Escherichia coli in research in Germany with positive results.

In the early 1950s, Goldenseal was shown to also be effective against tuberculosis bacteria (Journal of Antibiotics and Chemotherapy, 1954) and in India it was shown to have a pronounced effect against cholera (Mowrey).

Given the popularity of these two herbs, it is not at all surprising that wild populations of both are at risk.

Please be sure that any Echinacea or Goldenseal that you purchase has been organically grown and is not wildcrafted.

Unusual Suspects

Many herbalists are now using Oregon (or Mountain) Grape Root, which is more plentiful in the wild and grows easily in any southwest garden.

Like Goldenseal, Mountain Grape Root also contains substantial quantities of the alkaloid berberine and has been shown to have strong antibacterial effects.

An extremely popular herb in centuries past, and especially useful for skin disorders, it fell into disuse with the rise of topical corticosteroids.

It can be used in place of Goldenseal in infectious situations with fevers and sore throats.

Licorice Root is another well-known sore throat remedy. Used for centuries, it has achieved the status of a major tonic in China.

Its ability to prevent and remedy infections, inflammation and fevers as well as its antibacterial activity against gram negative intestinal pathogens was studied as early as the mid 1960s.

In the late 1970s, Italian researchers reported that Licorice Root had anti-viral properties, including the extracellular destruction of virus particles, and the impairment of the assembling ability of viral structural components (Mowrey). Recently in China researchers have shown its action against hepatitis recognizing specific constituents that activate the interferon mechanism.

In Japan, Licorice Root's antimicrobial properties against a staph strain that had already developed resistance to penicillin and streptomycin have been documented.

Its corticosteroid-like action helps the body respond to the inflammation of infections.

Osha, also known as "Bear Medicine," perhaps due to its strength, is a typical parsley family herb that is easily confused with Poison Hemlock.

Michael Moore touts the herb as one of the "best treatments for viral infections, either tinctured or chewed," encouraging a thorough elimination of toxins through sweating, especially if used in the early stages of infection.

As many of its important constituents are only slightly water soluble, it is best tinctured. Or when chewed, it provides quick relief, anesthetizing sore throats, and attacking bronchial infections if one can get past its bitter principles.

It makes an excellent cough syrup when mixed with Licorice Root, Wild Cherry Bark and honey. Due to the near impossibility of Osha cultivation, it is one of the plants that could be loved to death if we are not careful.

It is ecologically sensible to utilize Osha in small quantities and in conjunction with other herbs.

Blue Vervain is especially good during convalescence, and its use goes all the way back to Hippocrates, who recommended it for ague and plague.

Its stimulating, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties are extremely useful in infectious swellings and pain and it was listed n the National Formulary in the early 1900s as a diaphoretic, helping a feverish person break a sweat and as an expectorant to relieve congestion due to colds.

Medicine from Your Kitchen

A delicious and effective healing tea can be made by gently simmering Licorice Root, Oregon Grape Root and Ginger (especially useful in feverish conditions to help you sweat it out and soothe upset tummies) for 10 minutes.

Pour decoction (liquid) over dried Blue Vervain, soothing Chamomile, and add a good dollop of honey. Steep another 5-10 minutes.

Squeeze the juice of fresh lemon or lime in it just before drinking. Drink hot and drink often.

A great homemade "quickie" cough syrup can be easily made by adding the tinctures of any of the above herbs, but especially Oregon Grape, Licorice, Lomatium (another great anti-viral from the Pacific Northwest) or Wild Cherry Bark (of over the counter cough syrup fame), to some loquat or other honey. Take by the spoonful throughout the day.

Hot baths with sea salt and soda, or epsom salts or facial steams with essential oils, including cedar, wintergreen, eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary or tea tree oil can help clear congestion.

Or add a drop of any, or a combination of, the above oils to your favorite soothing green salve and rub on your chest, forehead or temples to help reduce congestion.

Then, there are always those great steaming bowls of green chile, liberally laced with garlic for those not to sick to eat. For an unusual twist, add a spoonful of miso instead of salt. Adding cayenne to any food or tea can also help.

Especially warming to the back of the throat when there is postnasal drip or sore throat (careful: some people find cayenne painful, others soothing, so go slow with the amount at first).

Cayenne has long been noted for its stimulating abilities and will help warm a chilled person beautifully.

Delicious in either sweet or savory teas or soups, as a spicy lemon aid with ginger or add a dash of cayenne to any veggie broth.