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Ygraine's Words of Winter Wisdom

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Herb Garden at Castle Pendragon

SONG OF SAMHAIN
by
Caitlin Matthews

I am the hallow-tide of all souls passing,
I am the bright releaser of all pain,
I am the quickener of the fallen seed-case,
I am the glance of snow, the strike of rain,
I am the hallow of the winter twilight
I am the hearth-fire and the welcome bread,
I am the curtained awning of the pillow,
I am unending wisdom's golden thread.

Winter is the time for restoration and renewal, an opportunity to use
the shorter days and darkness to take care of ourselves, rest and
contemplate those areas of our lives which require extra nurturing.

Winter often brings with it the misery of colds, coughs, various viruses
and often a seasonal depression caused by the aftermath of the illness
and/or lack of sunlight. Here are some tips and hints to help minimise
the misery and assist your body to fight off whatever has attacked it.

PREVENTION

Make sure that you eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and take in
a sufficient amount of vitamin C, for example from apples, oranges,
rosehip tea or elderberry syrup.

Make the most of seasonal root vegetables and cheaper cuts of meat or
fish to make soups or stews. These are part of the preparation for a
winter hibernation, to store up energy to see us through the lean times
of late winter and early spring.

Keep warm. Do not expose your head, neck or chest to cold wind or
freezing temperatures. Continue with gentle exercise, but do not go out
into very cold conditions without being able to acclimatise your body,
especially if you have a weak chest or heart problems. Exposure to
sudden chills can kill you by bringing on a heart attack.

COLDS

At the first sign of a cold, ease your throat by drinking hot cider or
raspberry vinegar and honey. (2 tsp vinegar + 2 tsp honey in 1/2 a pint
of boiling water) Make sure that you start combatting the cold
immediately, don't wait until it develops. Strengthen your immune system
by drinking half a cup of echinacea decoction or 1 tsp of tincture 4-5
times daily. Taking up to 2g of garlic daily will help, especially if
you develop a chest infection. The best herbal tea for a cold is made
from equal parts of elderflower, peppermint and yarrow. If you feel
cold, add some ginger to the brew and if you feel restless, add
cammomile. Drink between three and six cups of this tea every day while the cold lasts.

INFLUENZA

True influenza lasts for up to two weeks and is characterised by whole
body aches and a post viral depression. Do not ignore the symptoms and
try to "carry on regardless", you only put yourself in danger of
developing a secondary infection, which could be life threatening and
may require treatment with antibiotics. A useful herb to counteract the
aches and chills of influenza is boneset. David Hoffman recommends a
tea made from 2 parts of boneset to one part each of elderflower and
peppermint. This should be drunk as hot as possible every two hours. If
the tea is too bitter, especially for children, it can be sweetened with licorice or honey.

Sore throats can be helped by gargling with a strong solution of sage
tea and sea salt in warm water.(2 tsp dried sage or 2 tbl of fresh sage
+ 1 tsp sea/rock salt in 1/2 pint of boiling water. Infuse for 10
minutes then strain and use the mixture for gargling - do not swallow!)
If your throat is infected, gargle with a mixture of 1 tsp of enchinacea in 1/2 cup of water

Congestion in the chest and nose can be eased by regular steam
inhilations. Either make a 500ml standard infusion of the herb or add 10
drops of essential oil to a bowl of boiling water. Cover your head and
the bowl with a towel and inhale the steam for at least ten minutes,
remembering to stir the mixture regularly. It is important to stay in a
warm room for 30 minutes after the treatment to allow the airways to
return to normal. This process should be repeated between 2 and 4 times a day.

Suitable herbs/essential oils for inhaling when you have a cold are:
hyssop, thyme, benzoin, anise, sandalwood, eucalyptus.

Chest rubs can also assist with breathing problems and coughs. Use 5-10
drops of thyme, hyssop and eucalyptus essential oils in sweet almond or
wheatgerm oil and massage into the chest two or three times a day.
Remember to rub some in immediately before going to bed and wear loose
fitting nightwear to allow the fumes to circulate.

REMEMBER Never rub essential oils directly onto the skin!
DO NOT use essential oils on children

Foot baths can relieve aching feet and stimulate the circulation if you
are prone to chilblains. It also helps to combat the common cold. Use
the herbs or eseential oils listed above as a hot infusion or you can
prepare a traditional mustard bath by adding a tablespoon of powdered
mustard to a basin of hot water.

If you have poor ciculation in your feet, try grating 1/2 inch of peeled
root ginger over your food each day, or add the grated ginger to herbal teas.

CHILBAINS

If you have a tendency to suffer from chilblains, a pinch of cayenne,
(Capsicum frutescens), sprinkled inside you socks will keep your feet
warm on cold days and help to prevent them from occurring in the first
place. A variation of this remedy may also be used for actual chilblains
-- but only on unbroken skin. Warm the affected limb very gently with
your hands first, and then massage a small amount of cayenne ointment
carefully into the skin taking care not to break it. Repeat if
necessary. Do not burst any blisters. If the chilblain is already
broken, apply some marigold, (Calendula officinalis), ointment and cover
with gauze. Calendula will help heal the sore and relieve any itching.

ACHES & PAINS

If you suffer from rhumatism or arthritis which is made more painful by
the onset of damp of cold weather, rub the affected area with a mixture
of 10 drops of rosemary essential oil in 10 drops of sweet almond oil.
Creams made from cayenne pepper or linnaments made from equal parts of
lobelia and cramp bark with a pinch of cayenne may also be helpful when
rubbed into the skin.

DEPRESSION

Post-viral depression can be treated using skullcap or vervain. Oatmeal
is also a good nervine tonic and lemon balm tea may also help.

Some recipes for the cold and flu season that might be helpful:

Tea

Place 2 tsp of dried herb, or 2 tbl of fresh herb in an earthernware
teaput and pour either one cup or 1 pint of boiling water over it. Steep
the mixture for ten minutes, then strain and drink.
(If making a pint of tea, divide the liquid into 3 parts and drink at 3
separate times during the day, heating it up again.)

Teas will keep for up to 24 hours in a cool place, but are best made fresh.

Decoction

This method is mainly used for roots and berries of plants. Cut up the
root into small pieces and cover with cold water in a saucepan. Bring to
the boil and simmer for 10-20 minutes. Strain and drink.

Inhilation
(to loosen mucus, pulmonary antiseptic)

4 cups hot water in glass bowl
add:
1 drop Eucalyptus essential oil
1 drop Lemon essential oil
1 drop Sandalwood essential oil

Hold head, tented with towel, about 8 inches above bowl. Breathe slowly
and deeply with eyes closed for about 5 to 10 minutes, three times a
day. Pat face and neck area dry following treatment and wrap scarf or
towel around neck or wear warm turtleneck sweater to prevent chilling.

Chest Treatment Oil I

(For brochitis, moist cough)
1 oz. vegetable oil
10 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops Hyssop essential oil
3 drops Peppermint essential oil
2 drops Cedarwood essential oil
Massage chest and back (down and out under the arms for back, and circular
motion on either side of chest coming up center and down outside) This
encourages lymphatic drainage and will help draw out fever and reduce lung congestion.

Chest Treatment Oil II

(for bronchitis, dry, non-productive cough)
1 oz. vegetable oil
10 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops Hyssop essential oil
3 drops Bergamot essential oil
2 drops Sandalwood essential oil
Same massage technique as above.

Provided by Marcia Elston, member of Henrietta's Herblist
http://sunsite.unc.edu/herbmed

She also provided the following recipes from "How to be Your Own Herbal
Pharmacist" by Linda Rector-Page

Herbal Ointments and Salves.

There are two methods, the first one a simple preparation, and the second is more complex.
I
The simple method is to warm 6-7 ounces of lanolin, cocoa butter, lard,
or vaseline (not if you are a purist) in a pan with 2 tablespoons fresh
cut herbs (or dried or powdered). Simmer gently 10 minutes, stirring,
and then filter through a cheese cloth pressing out all the liquid from
the herbs. Pour into small jars while still warm and let cool.
II
The second method is to take a mixture of oils of your choice - almond,
sesame, wheat germ, vitamin E, olive, cocoa butter, lanolin or lard, 6-7
ounces total. Steep herbs of choice in boiling water to make a strong
tea. Simmer the oils and the tea together until the water evaporates
and the herbal extract is incorporated into the oils. Add enough bees
wax (2-1/2 oz to 5 oz herbal oil) to make a good consistency. Melt and
stir until well blended. (Lanolin or lard will harden by itself and need no wax.)

Add 1 drop of tincture of benzoin to preserve against mold.

Kloss Linament

(as described by David Hoffman)

Combine 2oz powdered Myrrh, 1oz Golden Seal, 1/2oz Cayenne Pepper, one
quart rubbing alcohol (70%). Mix together and let stand seven days;
shake well every day. Decant off and bottle in corked bottles. If your
do not have golden seal, make it without.

NB: Golden seal is an endangered species and practically extinct. Do not use.

CARROT SALVE

by Non Shaw and Christopher Hedley
( A cooling, soothing and nutritive salve for chapped and dry skin.)

Ingredients:
2 grated carrots
Oil to cover
Beeswax

This is a very quick method that can be used for other fresh herbs.
Traditionally oil, lard or animal fats were used. This recipe calls for
oil -- sunflower oil is lighter than olive oil, odourless, and easy to use.

Method:

Grate two carrots.
Cover with oil and fry gently until the carrots are soft. The oil will
turn orange. Strain the oil. (If you wish, you could turn up the
heat and quickly fry until the carrots are dry and crisp and then
strain.)
The oil is made into a salve by melting together: 1 part beeswax to 5
parts oil.

COLD & FLU REMEDIES

from Abby's Herbal Newletter

1) Astragalus (Astragalus membramaceus) is antiviral and makes an
excellent energy tonic during cold weather, helping the body to adapt to
external influences, especially to the
cold. It stimulates the immune system helping to fight off viral
infections like the common cold. Make a decoction with 20 g root and 1
cup water to which 5 g cinnamon can be added.
A squeeze of lemon will increase the effectiveness of this tea. Drink 1 cup twice a day.

2) Mix equal parts of yarrow (Achillea millefolium), peppermint, and
elderflower. Infuse 1 tsp of the mixture with a cup of water for 10
minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. (Do not take during pregnancy.)

CONGESTION REMEDIES

1) Infuse 1 tablespoon German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) in 3 cups
water in a covered pot. Remove the pot from the heat. Place a towel over the head and the pot.

Lift the lid and inhale the steam for 10 minutes. Alternatively, use 15 drops German
chamomile essential oil in a bowl of hot water. Be careful when using
this method with children. Steam can burn the skin.

2) Infuse 1 tablespoon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus glogulus) leaves in 3
cups water in a covered pot. Remove the pot from the heat. Place a
towel over the head and the pot. Lift the lid
and inhale the steam for 10 minutes. Alternatively, use 15 drops
eucalyptus essential oil in a bowl of hot water. Be careful when using
this method with children. Steam can burn the skin.

COUGH REMEDIES

1) Make a decoction with 1 tsp elecampane (Inula helenium) and 1 cup
water. Add 1/4 tsp licorice powder to the tea. For acute bronchitis,
add 1/2 tsp eucalyptus leaf to the decoction. (Do not take during pregnancy.)

2) Mix 10 drops each of eucalyptus and thyme essential oils with 2
tablespoons base oil (olive oil or canola oil will do). Massage the
chest and back once or twice a day.

3) Use eucalyptus or thyme essential oil in a diffuser or burner.

SORE THROAT REMEDIES

1) Gargle with equal parts of fresh squeezed lemon juice and hot
water. Heat 2 tablespoons water. Dissolve a pinch of salt in the
water. Squeeze 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
into the hot salted water. Gargle immediately. Do not prepare ahead
and do not use bottled lemon juice.

2) Use 1/4 tsp each of tincture of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis),
sage (Salvia officinalis), myrrh (Commiphora molmol), and echinacea
(Echinacea spp.) and 5 tsp hot water as a gargle. Swallow the mixture (except if pregnant).

REFERENCES

Hoffman, D Holistic Herbal Element Books 1996

Ody, P 100 Great Natural Remedies Kyle Cathie Limited 1997

Shaw, N Herbal Medicine: a Step-by-Step Guide Element Books Limited 1998

Useful websites

http://sunsite.unc.edu/herbmed/
http://www.abbysherbs.com

DISCLAIMER

The information provided here is given only as advice

and should not take the place of consulting a professional.

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