Winter Medicine Chest

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

There are several herbs that are effective for treating the effects that winter can have on the body and the mind, these herbs are especially beneficial for treating the causes of colds and flu in the winter months. They can help sooth and repair our impaired immune systems when viruses and bacteria attack. They can help in the maintainence of blood circulation and warm the body. Coupled with all these benefits they can also lift the spirits with their soothing aromas and create happy memories, a wonderful tonic in itself. What follows is a list of herbs and essential oils that can be useful during the winter.

Please remember that any herbal remedies and essential oils can be dangerous under certain circumstances therefore you should always seek medical advice before starting any homemade treatment, especially if you are pregnant, breast feeding or suffer from any known illness which could be adversely affected by self treatment. You should always inform your GP of any self treatment before taking any other prescribed medication.

GINGER: Ginger is used for the prevention and treatment of various forms of nausea. These include motion sickness, the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (morning sickness), and post-surgical nausea. Note: If you are pregnant or undergoing surgery, do not self-treat with ginger except under your GP'w supervision. Ginger has been suggested as a treatment for numerous other conditions, including migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol, burns, ulcers, depression, impotence, and liver toxicity. During the winter gingers can help sooth coughs and it can stop vomiting. In traditional Chinese medicine, hot ginger tea taken at the first sign of a cold is believed to offer the possibility of averting the infection.

ELDERFLOWERS: Elder flowers are highly effective in managing upper respiratory congestion and infections. Picked from the elder tree in mid to late summer, they seem to capture the dry warmth of this time of year, perfect for drying up that runny or blocked nose. These tiny pale white flowers have a delicate floral taste and contain flavonoids and small amounts of mucilage and tannins, a perfect combination for soothing healing and protecting mucous membranes. An old tradition was to make fresh elderflower wine in summer ready to drink in winter.

YARROW: Yarrows principle action is on the circulation. As the cold of winter slows down and redirects blood circulation, yarrow dilates blood vessels allowing increased blood flow, and aids oxygen and warmth get to surface tissues (like the skin and mucous membranes). This enables the immune cells to function at their peak, warding off infection and keeping channels clear and open. The whole flowering tops are used in a tea or other forms in mild fevers or minor congestion where circulation is a concern.

SAGE: Sage is a powerful and effective herb for treating sore throats. The different volatile oils in sage exert an antiseptic effect in the respiratory tract and helps to keep both the throat and lungs free of infection. The additional effect of stimulating digestion aids to minimise congestion in other parts of the body, making fresh sage a valuable ingredient to winter recipes.

ROSEHIPS: Rose hips form in Autumn following the rose flowers of summer. They are the fruit around the rose seed, full of nutrients to protect the seed during winter until the arrival of spring� Let them do the same for you. As a rich source of Vitamin C and flavonoids Rosehips aid with nourishing you for defense against colds and flu.

ECHINACEA: First used by the Indigenous North Americans who harvested the plants for extensive use in the treatment of infectious wounds and burns or eruptive skin complaints. It enhances the phagocytic activity of white blood cells, identifying and retiring bacterial, viral and fungal infections, in addition to the clearance of these from the lymphatic system.

MULLEIN: The leaves of mullien are used as a soothing expectorant, facilitating easier removal of lung congestion. This action is ideal during or after colds where the persistence of dampness or mucus impairs adequate lung function and clearance. Mullein soothes and strengthens the mucosal membranes of the respiratory system where these have been painful, irritated or sore from infection.

THYME: The pungent oils found in thyme are an effective antimicrobial in the treatment of respiratory infections. When taking thyme, people often note tasting it on their breath as the oils permeate through the respiratory system to reduce the proliferation of viruses during infections. It also warms the digestion and reduces metabolic congestion, aiding to clear the body of conditions for infection.

GARLIC: Garlic is superb for zapping bacteria, keeping your heart healthy, warding off coughs and colds. Garlic is an antibiotic that can actually kill infecting bacteria and at the same time protect the body from the poisons that are causing the infection. It is known that the most sensitive bacterium to garlic is the deadly bacillus anthracis which produces the poison anthrax. Even the forefather of antibiotic medicine Louis Pasteur acknowledged garlic to be as effective as penicillin.

FENUGREEK: Soothes sore throat pain and coughs. From ancient times through the late 19th century, fenugreek played a major role in herbal healing. Then it fell by the wayside. Now things are once again looking up for the herb whose taste is an odd combination of bitter celery and maple syrup. Modern scientific research has found that fenugreek can help reduce cholesterol levels, control diabetes and minimise the symptoms of menopause. The ancient Greeks fed this herb to horses and cattle. The Romans then started using it, too, calling it "Greek hay." (In Latin, "Greek hay" is foenum-graecum, and that evolved into "fenugreek.") As fenugreek spread around the ancient Mediterranean, physicians learned that its seeds, like many seeds, contain a gummy substance called mucilage. Mixed with water, mucilage expands and becomes a gelatinous soother for irritated tissues.

MARSHMALLOW: Marshmallow stimulates the immune system and the production of white blood cells. It also soothes inflammation, slows production of mucus, and reduces sugar levels in the body.

Winter Essential Oils




Aromatherapy is supportive in the winter season of quiet regeneration. Winter essential oils cleanse and freshen air in homes closed tight against the cold weather. Essential oils for winter include woody, evergreen, citrus, spice and resin oils. Gingerbread and delicious spice cake come to mind with pungent essential oils such as clove, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and nutmeg. Fresh citrus oils including bergamot, sweet orange, lemon and tangerine recall memories of old fashioned citrus pomanders. Warming oils include Orange, Black Pepper and Rosemary. Immune boosting oils are Tea-Tree, Lavender, Sandalwood and Bergamot. To ease congestion and fight infections use Tea-Tree, Pine, Eucalyptus and Lavender.

Oil BottleBergamot (Citrus bergamia) Bergamot is uplifting sweet with a fruity fragrance. Helpful for depression. Refreshes a room. Avoid sunbathing and sunbeds when using this oil.

Oil BottleBlack Pepper ( Piper nigrum) Hot, dry, spicy oil with a deeply warming effect. Relieves muscular aches and pains. Stimulates the digestive, circulatory and lymphatic systems. Can irritate sensitive skin, use sparingly.

Oil BottleEucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) Eucalyptus was first employed by Australian aborigines, who not only chewed the roots for water in the dry outback but used the leaves to treat fever, cough, and asthma, and European settlers quickly adopted it as medicine. You can also use a few drops of eucalyptus oil in boiling water or in a bath as an inhalant. Eucalyptus is often used for - Sore muscles, Insect repellant, Tension headache, Cold, Cough, Sinusitis, Rheumatoid arthritis, and Strains/sprains. Warming and antiseptic oil with a strong camphorous medical smell.

Oil BottleJuniperberry (Juniperus communis) Juniper berry essential oil contains mainly pinene, myrcene, sabinene and limonene. These constituents are also found in other winter season oils including pine, cypress and fir needle. Juniper berry oil blends especially well with these oils. Juniper oil is refreshing, clarifying and uplifting to the spirit. Its physical actions are cleansing, astringent (for oily complexions) and toning. Detoxifying, cleansing and antiseptic. Do not use in pregnancy or if you suffer with kidney disease. Not suitable for children.

Oil BottleLemon (Citrus limonum) Lemon is a fresh sunny scent that is cold pressed from the rind itself! Lemon has antiseptic-like properties and contains compounds that have been studied for their effects on immune function. It may serve as an insect repellent and may be beneficial for the skin. Diffuse it in your house for a fresh alternative to air spays. It compliments the Oil of Oregano to neutralize the over growth of Candida. Put a few drops on a kleenex and put it into your vacuum bag to freshen the smell of your carpets and furniture coverings. 1 drop is also very refreshing and purifying when taken in a glass of water.

Oil BottleOrange (Citrus sinensis) Orange essential oil is obtained from the rind of the fruit and used principally as a flavoring agent. Warming, orange oil is an antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, febrifuge, phototoxic sedative, tonic. Orange oil helps spreads sunshine on gloomy thoughts and depression, has a very comforting and warming effect and dispels tension and stress and helps revive when feeling low on energy. Orange oil calms the stomach both for constipation and diarrhea. Stimulates bile which helps digestion of fats. Has a beneficial effect on colds, bronchitis and fever. Helps with the formation of collagen - vital for tissue repair and hair growth. Also helpful with muscular pains. Helps anxiety and insomnia. Possibly reduces blood cholesterol levels. Orange oil helps dry skin conditions softening wrinkles and dermatitis. An excellent skin tonic. Orange oil can make the skin photosensitive to sunlight.

Oil BottlePeppermint (Mentha piperata) Peppermint oil is the most extensively used of all the volatile oils, both medicinally and commercially. The characteristic anti-spasmodic action of the volatile oil is more marked in this than in any other oil, and greatly adds to its power of relieving pains arising in the alimentary canal. From its stimulating, stomachic and carminative properties, it is valuable in certain forms of dyspepsia, being mostly used for flatulence and colic. It may also be employed for other sudden pains and for cramp in the abdomen; wide use is made of Peppermint in cholera and diarrhea.

Oil BottleRosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Rosemary is stimulating and refreshing, an invigorating pick-me-up. To help refresh and nasal passages and assist easy breathing. Excellent for hair and scalp problems including hair loss and dandruff. Do not use if pregnant or if you have high blood pressure or suffer with epilepsy.

Oil BottleTea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Tea-Tree is a powerful antiseptic, anti-bacterial oil which helps boost the immune system. Excellent for treating cold sores and fungal infections such as thrush. Spots, insect bites, warts, cuts and grazes.
Winter Oil Blends To Try

Oil BottleWINTER WARMTH BLEND Combine the following oils: 10 drops of cedarwood 25 drops of bergamot orange 15 drops of fir needle 30 drops of juniper berry 20 drops of sandalwood A wintertime aromatherapy blend For a massage oil, dilute 12 drops of this blend in 10ml of vegetable oil.

Oil BottleSINUS CONGESTION BLEND To relieve sinus congestion, respiratory problems and to clear a stuffy head, Combine the following oils: 5 drops of Eucalyptus 3 drops of Lavender 2 drops of Tea-Tree 2 drops of Pine. Add drops to a bowl of hot water and inhale.Makes a great cold remedy. This is a powerful decongestant for those unwanted colds. Add a few drops to your oil burner and inhale this way.

Oil BottleSORE THROAT GARGLE To soothe a sore throat and combat infection. 2 drops of Tea-Tree Add to a glass of water and use as a gargle. Do not swallow, essential oils must not be taken internally.

Oil BottlePICK ME UP BLEND Combine the following oils: 7 drops of Bergamot 5 drops of Grapefruit 3 drops of Rosemary in 10ml sweet almond oil

Oil BottleSUNSHINE BLEND A great blend to lift the spirits on cold winter days. Combine the following oils: 5 drops of Lemon, 5 drops of Orange, 3 drops of Geranium, 2 drops of Peppermint in 10ml sweet almond oil. Undiluted the oil blend can be used in a burner.