By Andrée Noye
Reading Time: 4-5 minutes
As John Lennon asked, "So this is Christmas, and what have you done”? You've done your best, no doubt. Let's be honest, the holidays can be tough. Stress levels often rise as we're bombarded with messages to shop and spend, suggesting that consumerism is the best way to show love.
While spending time with family can bring comfort, it can also trigger past traumas and old family dynamics. Grief may resurface as we remember holidays with lost loved ones. And here you are, holding it together, keeping your head above water. Well done!
But suddenly, you feel that itch in the back of your throat, the ache at the base of your neck, stiff shoulders, a general sense of dread and fatigue, and your nose turns into a leaky faucet… The Christmas Flu, the Festive Cold, The Bah Humbug Cough.
And. everything. is. closed.
Fear not. You likely have an extensive herbal apothecary right in your kitchen – whether you realize it or not! Here are a few spice cabinet allies:
Black Pepper: For thousands of years, black pepper has been used in Ayurveda to ease congestion, asthma, bronchitis, and sore throats. Similarly, Western herbalists incorporate small amounts of black pepper in formulas to ward off and support the clearance of colds and the flu. It’s also a powerful circulation enhancer and diaphoretic.
Honey: Honey has many helpful properties. It’s highly antimicrobial, promotes expectoration, and soothes the throat.
Try this! Black pepper mixed with honey is a lovely and accessible addition to your cold and flu arsenal. Simply combine approximately ⅛ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper with a teaspoon of raw honey. Note: this infused honey should not be given to children under 1 year of age.
Oregano: Fresh or dried oregano can be used in various ways to ease respiratory symptoms. This easy-to-grow herb is rich in volatile oils, providing powerful expectorant, antimicrobial, and diaphoretic properties—all handy actions for cold and flu support.
Try this! To help expel mucus or sweat out a fever, steep a tablespoon or so of fresh oregano or ½ tablespoon of dried oregano in 2 cups of hot water for 10-15 minutes, tightly covered. Then, uncover and bring your head over the bowl to inhale the steam. Cover your head with a towel to prevent losing the precious volatile oils!
Basil: You might be surprised to see basil on this list, but basil is an excellent expectorant, anti-catarrhal, and diaphoretic. Basil has a long history of use across the globe for various respiratory complaints, including asthma, acute respiratory infections, and chronic bronchitis.
Try this! Make your own tea to help with clearing fever and cough. Use 2 tablespoons of dried basil or ¼ cup of fresh basil per 2 cups of water and let it steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain the herbs and drink hot, as needed.
While kitchen spices are often used to enhance food flavor, it's fun to realize that as we spice up our dishes, we also enhance their healthfulness. What’s more, these everyday herbs and spices are quite versatile beyond their culinary uses! It’s comforting to know that when respiratory illness finds its way into our home, we can reach for the herbal allies right in our spice cabinet for support. Even a simple preparation made with kitchen spices, honey, and/or water can provide many herbal actions and energetics that can help protect and restore our health and well-being.
If this blog has interested you and you would like to know more about pantry herbalism, please register for our upcoming workshop: