The Winter Kitchen Medicine Cabinet
By David Russell, Ph.D., D.Sc. and Lynn Wiese Sneyd

This cold and flu season try turning to your kitchen medicine cabinet to initiate the healing process.
The typical and simple colds and flus of winter that most of us experience, while uncomfortable, are nature’s way of resolving the climatic stressors that affect our body’s biological functions. By supporting these important immune responses, such as runny or stuffy noses, fatigue, and achiness, through simple, natural remedies we can ensure the unfolding of health in the body and mind.
In dealing with these seasonal events in our health cycle, we often overlook the teachings and wisdom inherent in the natural medical sciences practiced for centuries in the traditions of various cultures. In our own kitchens, we have access to some of the greatest healers in the plant kingdom: common spices and herbs with which we are all familiar. Following are some useful items to keep on hand, with a description of their medicinal properties. With the exception of garlic, these spices and herbs are excellent to drink as a strong tea.

GARLIC

A powerful anti-microbial used to treat bacterial, viral, and yeast infections. It contains elements that rejuvenate and build up all of the body’s tissues and functions by reducing the factors that break down the health of our cells including the effects of stress and nervousness. An excellent blood and tissue cleanser, garlic works through the lymphatic system as an immune enhancer, and thus is effective for treating influenza, colds, bronchitis, ear infections, and pneumonia, due to its antibiotic affect as well as its ability to dispel phlegm.

You can have an excellent immune enhancer for the winter months by using a good amount of fresh garlic in your cooking. One of the reasons why garlic is so healthy, is because it increases all the metabolic processes and biological heat in the body. NOTE: Do not use garlic internally when fever is present, as during colds and influenza, because it will tend to increase heat. In conditions where fever is present, you can use garlic very successfully by adding one part crushed, fresh garlic to two parts olive oil. Allow the mixture to sit for six to eight hours then apply the oil externally to the area needed such as around the bronchia or throat. You can also dip a small piece of cotton in the oil and insert it into the ear for earaches.

SAGE

Another useful cleanser, sage reduces excess secretions of the mucus membranes. Sage is an effective remedy for flus and colds, as it dries up mucus and resolves issues involving the lymphatic system like swollen lymph glands, laryngitis, and sore throats. Sage also works on the brain and nerve systems and has a calming and integrating effect on the mind and emotions by promoting clarity, as well as “cleansing” the mind of old emotional blockages.

ROSEMARY

One of the universal healers of the European spice family, Rosemary’s wonderful properties extend from the mental and emotional realms to all physiological processes and the immune system. It works on the immune system through the mucus membranes and is used for whooping cough, colds, flus, and bronchitis, and swollen lymph glands. Rosemary improves primary biological energy in the body’s systems and restores brain, adrenal, and nerve system functions as well as promotes calmness and well being while helping to resolve fatigue, stress from over work, depression, anxiety, memory loss, and nervous disturbances.

THYME

Another of the great healers, thyme works through the kidney, adrenal and lung systems, promoting biological strength in the body and resistance to all diseases through increased immunity. It is effective in resolving all infections and is a strong anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral substance. In the upper respiratory tract, thyme is used to expel phlegm from the lungs, bronchia, and sinuses and in cases of bronchitis, wheezing, allergic asthma, and whooping cough, and sore throat. It works well on mental and emotional issues such as depression and nervous exhaustion.

GINGER

In Eastern medical traditions, Ginger is called the “King of Spices” due to its wonderful properties. Ginger is the most “harmonious” of all spices and clears the bio-energetic channels that connect one organ system to another as well as stimulates and supports the metabolism of all the body’s tissue systems. Ginger also helps balance the mind and the emotions, increasing memory and calming the nerves. Ginger is excellent for high fevers, colds and flus; it expels phlegm from the bronchia and lungs, and rejuvenates the entire system.

How to Prepare Standard Hot Infusion (Strong Tea)
Place 1 rounded teaspoon of dry herb in a cup. For fresh herbs, double the amount of herb used. If combining two herbs, use 1⁄2 teaspoon of each. For fresh ginger root, peel and chop 1 teaspoon. Pour 8 ounces of boiling water over herbs and steep for 15 minutes; strain out herbs. You can add organic honey to any tea, but wait to add it until tea is drinking temperature.

Lynn Wiese Sneyd, Russell Public Communications. www.russellpublic.com. lweisesneyd@russellpublic.com. (520) 575-8302.