Beginning of the Cold Season

Already the 9th day of the new year and it has been a busy time compounded by the fact that I somehow managed to come down with a wicked cold. It is slowly passing but boy did it remind me that I didn't have any herbal remedies prepared for this cold season. The Doctors and researchers are saying that the cold and flu season has hit early this year but that is no excuse for not being prepared. Funny how me, who never gets a bad cold, ends up with a zinger like this one. At this point I am finding that sleep and some herbal remedies are helping out a lot. I thought I would share two of the recipes that i have used in the past and am making. to avoid having to deal with this type of cold again this winter. So cheers and I hope that you happy cold season without any bad colds!


This recipe is from Rosemary Gladstar's book Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health. Some people think it tastes great and others don't like it to much but the truth of the matter is that it works.

Hair-Raising Cider

• 1 quart Vinegar
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 head of garlic, peeled and chopped
• 1.4 cup grated fresh horseradish
• 2 tablespoons powdered turmeric
• Cayenne
• 1 cup honey (more or less to taste)

To make this Cider you will need to combine all of the above ingredients except the honey. Leave the mixture to sit in a warm place for 3 to 4 weeks.  At this point you will need to strain the vinegar mixture add the honey and then re-bottle it.  You can adjust how much of the honey you put in to suit your taste. 
I you refrigerate this it will last for a while. Take 1 to 2 Tables spoons at a time at the first sign of a cold and then continue throughout the day ever 2 to 3 hours until your symptoms ease. 


I am not sure where I got the following two herbal tea recipes but they are helpful. The first one is best for general cold symptoms while the second is best for bronchial congestion associated with colds.

Cold Tea

• 1/4 cup thyme
• 1/4 cup fever few flowers
• 3/4 peppermint leaves
• 1 tablespoon sage

Place all the herbs in a tea ball or bag and then cover with boiling water. Let steep for 10 minutes and then remove tea ball or bag. You can add sugar or honey to sweeten but honey would be better.

Cough Tea

• 1.5 oz anise seeds
• 1 oz calendula flowers
• 3/4 oz marshmallow root
• 1/3 oz licorice root

Crush the anise seeds and add to herbs. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tsp of the mixture, cover & steep for 10 minutes. You can sweeten as you wish but honey is always the best sweetener.