Herbal Remedies
Here is just a small sampling of what has worked for me and others I personally know. I'll be adding more sections.
*If you're new to herbal remedies, learn a couple at a time and get comfortable with those before adding more.
Mullein
Mullein is what I consider a gift from God. I had a cough and a tightness in my chest for months. I even ended up in Urgent Care where the doctor told me I had emphysema. Eeek! I used up my rescue inhaler and my son's inhaler then got to the inhaler he had in his backpack (he hadn't been needing his, thankfully). My dear husband read about mullein and found a tincture at our local health food store. It was not very tasty. I wasn't impressed, but I got used to it and didn't mind it so much because I knew it was so effective.
I was putting the 30 drops in the last couple of sips of my cooled-down coffee once a day. He reminded me that it was supposed to be taken three times a day. I moved up to twice and sometimes three times a day. After I did that for 2 days, I found that I didn't need the inhaler before going to bed and didn't wake up during the night coughing. I was excited and then made sure I was getting that tincture in anything I was drinking: coffee, water, and OJ. In the mornings, I would get a couple of good productive coughs to clear my lungs (I know, TMI, but I want to give you a heads up). I kept up the tincture 3X/day until I was no longer coughing. It really works!
A friend's daughter who is pregnant was coughing for months. No OTC meds or meds from her doctor were working. She was exhausted physically. I passed on a tincture and some tea bags of mullein. About a week later, my friend let me know that her daughter was no longer coughing and felt SO much better. The only thing she changed was the mullein. She hadn't realized how bad she was feeling until she started feeling better. MONTHS of coughing... over. She can now focus on growing her second baby and caring for her toddler without being breathless.
I keep up the mullein by putting a teaspoon in my tea diffuser EVERY day, and have recently added stinging nettle to bolster my immune system even more.
Fennel
Fennel is a culinary herb that has amazing health benefits as well. I first started using fennel seed tea while trying to increase my breast milk supply for my third child over 15 years ago. I didn't like the taste at first but would do anything for my children, so I chugged the tea. It worked.
It also has the benefit of calming the digestive system, which I ALWAYS need. Studies have shown that fennel helps regulate the contractions of the small intestine and aids in the expulsion of gas. It also helps reduce spasms that are a part of IBS struggles. It has been a perfect addition to a lifestyle that keeps me off medication for Crohn's disease.
I have had a huge fennel plant in a pot for 6 years that I share with the black swallowtail butterflies and their babies. Pretty much every time I walk out my front door, I grab a piece of fennel and munch away. I check during the spring and summer to make sure I'm not getting an egg or smashing a baby caterpillar while I snack.
I also harvest the seeds and some branches to dry for tea. If you don't have fresh fennel, get the best deal on a bag here.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle is a powerhouse herb that many people use to support overall wellness. It is rich in nutrients and is often enjoyed as a tea, tincture, or dried herb added to blends. Even though the fresh plant can sting when touched, it becomes a gentle and nourishing herbal ally once it is dried or prepared properly. If you harvest it yourself, wear long sleeves and gloves. Even after it is dried, it can be a mild irritant, so use a long handled scoop so that it doesn't get on your hands. Once it hits heat, its bothersome qualities disappear.
I especially love stinging nettle as a daily support herb because it is commonly used to help nourish the body and support immune health. It also pairs beautifully with other herbs in tea, like mullein or chamomile, making it an easy addition to a simple routine.
If you're interested in herbal remedies, stinging nettle can be a wonderful herb to learn about and use consistently. As with any herb, take time to learn what works best for your body and introduce it in a way that feels manageable.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a gentle, fragrant herb in the mint family that is often loved for its naturally calming qualities. Many people enjoy it as a tea to help create a sense of relaxation, especially during stressful seasons or at the end of a busy day. It has been said that this herb can lower cortisol and boost metabolism, along with soothing digestion.
The Welness Hub of iHerb gives more insight to the potential benefits of this amazing plant: "Lemon balm is a popular herb used by millions. Scientists call it 'Melissa officinalis'- 'melissa' from the Greek word meaning 'honey bee'—but it also goes by many other names, such as 'nectar of life, 'cure-all', 'balm mint' or 'honey plant'. Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, native to Europe and well recognized for its many benefits. It is bright green in color and has small, heart-shaped leaves with clusters of white and yellow flowers similar in shape to mint leaves. It is not only grown in gardens but also for medicinal purposes. Lemon balm is considered a calming herb and has been used for medicinal purposes since the Middle Ages. It is believed to help reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, enhance cognitive performance, fight viruses and ease indigestion symptoms. Lemon balm can also be used for culinary purposes, due to its flavoring." Check out more studies and claims about this herb here.
It is also a wonderful herb for beginners because it is easy to use in teas, desserts, or fish dishes, and has a pleasant lemony flavor. If you are exploring herbal remedies a little at a time, lemon balm can be a lovely addition to your home herbal toolkit.
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