Healing Herbs for Winter

Renewed interest in the herbal approach to health is on the rise in our culture. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 80% of the world's people rely on herbs for their health.

So, what is it they know that we don't? Herbalists look at how body systems have been affected by the totality of the person – mind, diet, environment, spirit – and then seek to promote health by addressing the underlying causes of illness. Herbs are used to strengthen the body's natural functions and to help bring about system balance.

Common herbs and spices may help protect against certain common and some chronic conditions. Herbs, including basil and parsley, are from plants and plant parts. Spices, like cinnamon, often come from the seeds, berries, bark, or roots of plants.

Below is a list of some of the most commonly used herbs and spices for weathering the winter months. Of course, this list is not meant to be a substitute for a proper diagnosis or treatment of any illness by your physician but can serve as a means to reconnect us with the plant world that once was essential for our ancestors. It may also empower us to nurture ourselves in new and creative ways.

Ginger has been used to relieve various gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and motion sickness, including dizziness, vomiting, and cold sweating. It brings warmth and movement. Ginger has been praised for years for its culinary and medicinal properties. Recently it has even been used to help sickness associated with chemotherapy and in reducing pain in osteoarthritis due to its anti-inflammatory effects.

Thyme is the hardiest of all the herbs. It makes a small, bushy pot plant and the more the leaves are picked the better it does. An infusion of lemon-scented thyme helps relieve coughs and colds. Use thyme in casseroles and stews, to garnish roasts or added to salad dressings and salads.

Parsley needs full sun if grown in a pot and the soil should be kept moist. The leaves are rich in vitamins A, C, E, and Iron. Build your immune system by eating two tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley each day. Sprinkle it on salads, add it to meat, pasta or cheese sauces at the end of cooking or juice it up in a blender with apple or tomato juice.

Cinnamon has been around since medieval times, with doctors using the spice to treat conditions such as arthritis, sore throats, and coughing. Today, studies have shown that it reduces cholesterol, is effective against bacteria, reduces pain linked to arthritis, is a natural preservative, helps with PMS and menstrual pains, and regulates blood sugar levels! It has also been thought that substances in cinnamon could help fight fungal and bacterial infections and protect against Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

Nutmeg was used in ancient times as a brain tonic and has been thought to protect against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. It can also help stress, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. The properties in nutmeg can combat a whole host of pain-related issues including digestive problems and muscle aches, and due to its antibacterial properties, the spice can additionally treat halitosis and bad breath by eliminating bacteria from the mouth. Enjoying a warm drink with nutmeg in the evening has also been found to aid sleep. However, some scientific studies have found that the major compound in nutmeg, mystiricin, can cause hallucinations and convulsions, so be careful not to eat too much!

Cloves were used thousands of years ago as breath fresheners, and traditionally the oil has been rubbed on gums to treat toothache. A study recently has even found clove oil to be as effective as a pharmaceutical gel for dental relief. The active component in cloves is called eugenol, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can enhance sexual health, improve digestion due to the relaxation of the gastrointestinal tract, and even treat bruises and scrapes. In Ayurveda, clove tea is used to prevent colds and to attack germs linked with sore throats.

Oregano easily withstands winter frost but likes full sun. The more you harvest the better it grows. It has a strong aromatic taste ideal for rich winter food, but use sparingly or it can be overpowering. An infusion of oregano can be used to treat coughs, tiredness, and irritability.

Hyssop grows well in pots and tolerates quite cold weather. It has a bushy form and attractive spikes of blue flowers. Both the leaves and flowers can be used in an infusion to treat bronchitis and loosen mucus. The leaves have a peppery taste and are a good addition to thick soups and stews.

Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean, with students in Ancient Greece putting sprigs in their hair for stimulating and strengthening memory. Today, rosemary is still used for these memory qualities and studies have shown that sniffing rosemary helps students to feel less stressed during exams, even reducing their heart rate. Rosemary contains substances that increase blood flow to the head, stimulate the immune system, and improve digestion. Anti-inflammatory properties also reduce symptoms of asthma, and antioxidant properties protect the arteries from fat build-up, improving heart health.

Garlic is so beneficial in health that whole books have been written about this particular herb. It is the sulfur-containing compounds that provide garlic with its benefits, including detoxification, strengthening the immune system, decreasing impotency, reducing cardiovascular disease, and alleviating fungal and bacterial infections.

Turmeric is a powerful medicine that has been used as an anti-inflammatory for years, treating a range of conditions from jaundice to toothaches, bruises, chest pain, menstrual difficulties, and digestive issues. Curcumin is the substance responsible for the golden color and has anti-cancer properties, reducing inflammation that contributes to tumor growth and helping to detox the body from toxic substances before DNA is damaged.

Yarrow is principally a medicinal herb that can be used to bring down fevers and helps relieve infections, influenza, and sinusitis. Both the leaves and flowers of the plant are used as an infusion. Add peppermint or a teaspoon of honey if you find the leaves a bit bitter.