It’s that time of the year again when we’re dealing with flu, colds, all sort of viral infections.
I have a 5 year old girl who goes to school and brings back home an array of viruses and microbes.
Since school started we’ve had quite a few illnesses with some more serious than others. each time, I pushed for natural remedies that involve herbs which can support the body in healing it faster.
Cold and warm-blooded vertebrates have developed this pathogen defence mechanism called fever for more than 600 million years. This means our bodies know what they’re doing when it comes to killing intruding microbes and viruses. At the same time, modern medicine is equally important and we should be very thankful for all the medical advancements we have today which keep us alive.
Effective and aromatic remedy for my little one’s fever
When my child has fever under 38.8C, I tend to let her body deal with the viral infection without fever suppressants such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Instead, I am using elderflower tea and elderflower syrup, as they are diaphoretic, meaning the promote perspiration, thus cooling the body down naturally. This plant has a beautiful aroma, rich in bioactive compounds like flavonoids (especially quercetin and rutin), phenolic acids, and antioxidants that help the body fight inflammation and oxidative stress. It also acts as a mild decongestant easing symptoms like runny nose, sore throat, and sinus pressure.
I also tend to add wild thyme or thyme, another powerful ally in combating respiratory and digestive infections. Thyme has stimulating and drying properties, it is a powerful expectorant and antiseptic. Thymol and carvacrol are some of its most treasured compounds, with anti-microbial and anti-fungal actions.
However, if the fever goes too high, then I give her paracetamol or even ibuprofen. And everyone knows their children and their medical history so it’s always best to act based on your parental instinct.
Instructions
This is the quick recipe which is safe for children over 3 years, given they are not allergic to any of the ingredients:
- one teaspoon of dried elderflowers
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme/ wild thyme
- 250 ml of boiled water
- let it steep for 15 minutes and have the child sip within 2-3h (while also giving them water).
Liquids are also a key factor in helping the body eliminate viruses and bacteria.
- honey
Immunity booster & warming tea
Now that I had a small intro on what I do for my daughter’s colds and viral infections, I’d like to focus this section on a easy home brew which energises, warms the body, and supports the body’s immune system fight against pesky viruses.
For this brew I’ll use:
- Rosehips, which are stimulating and high in antioxidants and Vitamin C. Your immune system will be thankful.
- Peppercorns are also energising, plus, they help the absorption of Vitamin C.
- Haws (hawthorn berries) – rich in flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs), act as powerful antioxidants that help protect blood vessels from oxidative damage and support healthy circulation. The berries also contain triterpenic acids, phenolic acids, and small amounts of vitamins C and B-complex, which further nourish the cardiovascular system. These little red gems improve blood flow, strengthen heart muscle contractions, regulate blood pressure, and reduce inflammation, while warming your body if feeling cold and shivery.
- Ginger – a well-known aid for restoring warmth and boosting energy. Gingerol, the most abundant compound in fresh ginger, helps reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract and can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and viruses linked to respiratory infections.
I made a video about it here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DP_uNz1iLSn/
How to make the brew
– Bring to boil 350ml water
– add 3-4 rosehips, 7 haws, 8 peppercorns, a few slices of ginger
– let all the herbs boil for 5-7 min
– cover with a lid/plate and let the decoction steep for another 5 min
I hope these remedies will work for you and your family. These are fantastic plants which can be easily found in nature or to buy.
