5 of the Best Cold, Flu, and Virus Herbs
From September to February, medicine cabinets are stocked with cold syrup, throat sprays, and lozenges in an attempt to stave off the cold and flu. Now with the additional threat of Covid-19, having a variety of supportive herbs is necessary to stay healthy. If you’re not sure where to start, here are 5 of the best and most-trusted herbs for cold, flu, and virus season.
Echinacea
Echinacea, also known as American coneflower, is a commonly used herb for preventing and treating colds and flus. Some studies have shown the effectiveness of echinacea to reduce the risk of recurrent respiratory infections. For those who are vulnerable to catching a cold each season, echinacea is a must-have.
Goldenseal
A powerhouse on its own, goldenseal has many known benefits. However, in combination with echinacea, this herb becomes an asset to the immune system. It’s rich in alkaloids that have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. While this is effective by itself, for colds and flus goldenseal works well with echinacea. See our combination formula here.
Garlic
Garlic has been well researched for its medicinal benefits. In addition to its heart-healthy properties, garlic is also known for its anti-bacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. From a Traditional Chinese medicine perspective, garlic is great for colds caused by cold weather (also known as ‘Wind-Cold’).
Since garlic is very accessible, it can easily be added as part of any immune-boosting routine. For more full spectrum properties, try our organic Garlic capsules.
Oregano Oil
Although the culinary uses for oregano are globally known, most people aren’t as familiar with the medicinal properties of its oil. Oregano oil is a potent anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antiviral, and an antioxidant. It’s properties primarily stem from the active Carvacrol and thymol compounds. Because of this, oregano oil is used in many natural preparations for disinfectants, produce washes, and diluted as a mouthwash solution.
When it comes to natural cold, flu, and virus prevention, this oil is highly recommended. You can find more here about Oregano oil tincture and capsules.
Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver is a liquid consisting of tiny silver particles used with some success for several health ailments. One of the most common ailments it is used for is viruses and as a homeopathic remedy. Colloidal silver in spray form has also been used as a mouth freshener and antibacterial wash for the throat. Some anecdotal evidence suggests it can decrease the duration of a sore throat. Although it is not an herb, it is widely used as a natural preventative and treatment for viruses and the common cold.
As with all herbal supplements, if you are taking any medications, please check with your physician before adding a new herb to your regime.
To find out more about the herbs listed here, and others, please read our book “The Divine Fiat: Black Excellence in Herbalism”.
Have a safe season!
6 comments
Very good information. Thank you