Health & Body Care News - Herbs for Winter Wellness

Herbs, being nutritive and tonic, can do so much to improve our natural health and immunity during the winter months. The weather is cold, damp and generally cloudy six months out of the Minnesota calendar. Hopefully you are like me (a Wisconsin native), and enjoy the changing seasons and realize that the weather makes this state the wonderland it is.

We all think of echinacea when we think of winter herbal health. The purple coneflower that is commonly found in perennial gardens, Echinacea purpurea, is used to boost and enhance the immune system's function. Sometimes you'll find preparations with E. angustifolia, the narrow leaf coneflower, or our Wisconsin native, E. pallida, the pale purple coneflower. All work similarly, with different studies favoring one or another, but can be used interchangeably. Echinacea has proven effective against bacterial and viral infections, acting as an immunostimulant. David Hoffman, herbalist and author, reports its effectiveness against boils, septicemia, cystitis, and catarrhal conditions - i.e. colds. I've had great luck minimizing the effects and duration of colds with the use of a fresh echinacea extract. The arial parts and roots can be used to make an infusion or tincture, however these have to be dug before the ground is frozen.

Another of my favorite fruit/herbs for winter health is elderberry, Sambucus canadensis. This is a very common American native shrub. The gorgeous fluffy white cymes flower in the early summer, then in the fall develop into dark purple fruits. All parts of the plant are medicinal, sometimes called "the medicine chest of the folk people," and the gypsies consider it too sacred to burn, because to them it cures all ills. It has been proven anti-viral by an Israeli scientist, who conducted a test showing it shortens the duration of the flu. She was using the fruit made into a syrup. There are several elder syrups on the market. (Look for them in the HBC section at the Wedge.) My favorite method of delivery is to make an elderberry pie out of frozen berries that I collect in the late summer. Another favorite of mine is elderberry wine.

For those persistent coughs that disrupt and annoy us, we have another common native plant, the wild cherry that is extremely effective and has other great virtues, as well. The three species that are native to Wisconsin are Prunus virginiana, P. serotina and P. pennsylvanica and work equally well. The part that is used is the autumn-gathered bark. It can be purchased as a tincture that can be easily made into a cough syrup by putting a dropper full into a half-teaspoon of honey. The modern cherry flavored cough syrup you see in drug stores originated historically from real cherry bark.

The Chinese consider the liver and kidneys the seat of health in the body. They act as a filter system and by using alteratives, or "blood cleansers," we can improve liver and kidney function. This can improve health by removing toxins from the body, allowing the system to run more efficiently and enabling it to better dodge disease. My herbal favorites are in my Liver Kidney Blend - burdock, dandelion and yellow dock. These common weeds improve digestion, increase the flow of bile and add nutrients to the body. Dandelion is an excellent diuretic that adds potassium and other minerals. Try this as a tea or tincture, early in the day, for water retention.

Our winter, long and cold with no guarantee of beautiful snow cover, can cause some folks to feel "blue." There are so many herbal remedies that help bring joy or reduce depression (have some lemon balm, Melissa officinalis, dried for tea). I have a lemon balm tincture, but enjoy this herb infused as well. If you believe consequences follow intention, try making a pot of a nervine tea with the intention to soothe and bring joy. Other nervines are motherwort, skullcap, blue vervain, basswood blossom, hops and valerian, but none taste nearly as sweet as lemon balm.

St. John's wort has the reputation as the anti-depressant herb. Herbalists don't like to see our beloved herbs pigeon holed like that, because you may never fully understand all the attributes that make these great healing agents. This herb was traditionally used to ward off evil spirits. The Latin name, Hypericum perfoliatum, means "over an apparition" or ghost. When this plant was named in the 1700's it was used to get beyond one's ghosts.It also helps to heal nerve endings. This would be helpful for nervous exhaustion, but also assists in recovery from burns and bruises.

I appreciate the North, with its changing seasons, adding unique beauty to most days. Even the days that keep us indoors provide a great time to pursue studies, crafts or remodeling projects. Often it takes an internal push to get beyond the many gray days, but with exercise, herbal allies, and determination to stay productive, we'll be in good shape to welcome the violets in spring!

Jane Hawley Stevens, Herbalist and creator of Nature's Acres Herbal Body Care, has studied herbs for 20 years. She lives with her family on their 130 acre certified organic farm. She grows and produces herbal products that can be found at the Wedge Health and Body Care department.