Useful For: Stamina, wound healing, fights infection, immune system, energy
Herbal Sources: Alfalfa, Burdock Root, Nettle, Yellow Dock, Oatstraw, Red Clover, Peppermint, Fenugreek
Food Sources: Whole grains, organ meats, sweet potatoes, avocados, egg yolks, fish, whey
Herbs: Coltsfoot, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Lemon Balm, Licorice, Chamomile, Lavender, Oregano, Clove, Eucalyptus
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Actions: Putting warm compresses over the sinuses/where the infection is can help. Make sure to stay hydrated. You use even more water than usual when your body is attempting to flush an infection. Drink chamomile tea, especially blends involving cinnamon, and sweeten with honey. This gives a triple punch to whatever is causing the infection. Both cinnamon and honey have effects on fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Eat cinnamon candies, or chew cinnamon gum. Make sure that it is actual cinnamon used, not “cinnamon flavour,” which is a chemical substitute that does not have the effects of cinnamon. If you can tolerate drinking cinnamon tea or chewing on a cinnamon stick, that has an even greater effect. My partner, who had chronic and persistent sinus infections, swears by this tea.
Aromatherapy: Tea tree, lavender, chamomile, oregano, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus
Folk Remedies:
Things to Avoid: Dehydration
Name: Yarrow
Latin: Achillea millefolium
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Used for: Taken internally it fights inflammation. Used externally, it can slow or stop bleeding, assist with pain, and promotes healing. Used internally or externally, it will fight or prevent infection. A spray in the back of the throat can help a sore throat. The same on an infected tooth can ease the pain. Spraying it on your feet can lessen aching. Used as an astringent, it can assist with acne. If made into a tincture and used as a spray, yarrow is an effective insect repellant. Studies done by the US Army indicated that it is more effective than DEET, although not as long lasting. Yarrow is actually more effective than the (now) classic combination of echinacea/goldenseal, and avoids the issues attached to those plants.
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Other Uses for: Folklore states that if used as a hair wash, it will promote curling.
Growing: Yarrow is said to make a good companion plant in the garden. Its root secretions strengthen other plants, and can actually make them more disease resistant. Yarrow is also said to keep ants and other harmful insects away.
Name: Myrrh
Latin: Commiphora Myrrha
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Used for: Myrrh is an antiseptic, which makes it useful for wounds and sores. It is particularly good for problems with tea and gums, when added to toothpaste, or used as a mouthwash or gargle.
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Name: Lemon Balm
Latin:
Other Common Names: Melissa
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Used for: Can be used for improving memory and focus. Can also help to relieve depression. It is also anti-viral and anti-bacterial, and can be used to clear infections and congestion. Good for assisting with nerves, both pain and anxiety. It also tastes lovely, which means it makes a wonderful mixer for teas involving any of it’s attributes. Classified as a nerve tonic, meaning that it rehabilitates and strengthens the nervous system over time.
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Name: Garlic
Latin: Allium sativum
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Parts Used: Bulb
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Used for: Garlic is one of the “magic” plants as far as its health effects and uses. It mitigates the physical effects of stress. It can lower high blood pressure. A tea is good for sore throats, and can be used to lessen inflammation and infection in tonsilitis. If used as a poultice on your chest (often in conjunction with onion), it can help with bronchitis and other chest ailments. Along with being capable of lowering blood pressure, it can help to reduce your cholesterol, strengthen your heart, increase immune response, reduce stroke risk, and stabilize blood sugar. Garlic and its relatives are a source of phytoestrogens, which not only reduce the risk of cancer, they can assist with the passage through menopause. Garlic also has an antibiotic effect similar to penicillin, with the added benefit of not killing off the beneficial bacteria in the body. Used in a cold poultice, it can help to lower swelling; as a hot poultice, can be used to help snakebites and wasp or hornet stings. Crushed and packed in near a tooth, it can assist with toothache. Most of the folkloric and historic beneficial effects of garlic have been proven scientifically.
Use in tandem with: Hawthorn and Cayenne
Directions and Warnings: As garlic is a natural blood-thinner, you should consult with a doctor before increasing the amount of garlic you consume, or using it in supplement form if you are on blood-thinning medication.