Jane Wrigglesworth: Herbs for winter wellness

Sage and Thyme
There has been a lot of concern in the news lately about the increasing rate of antibiotic resistance. For a natural and effective alternative, try herbal antibiotics. Before antibiotics became widely available, herbs were the main medicine of choice for treating infectious diseases.
Many herbs have antimicrobial properties; they inhibit the growth of or eradicate microscopic pathogens.
For example, sage and thyme are two common garden herbs that have antibacterial and antiviral properties. We can easily use these two herbs to halt or soothe the symptoms of a sore throat, for example. A simple herb tea can be drunk throughout the day or gargled with at the first sign of a sore throat. Infuse a handful of fresh sage or thyme in boiling water for 8-10 minutes.
Note: Sage should not be taken if pregnant or breast-feeding.
Thyme Syrup
Steep ¼ cup fresh thyme leaves in 300ml boiled water, covered, for 15 minutes. Strain out the leaves and add ¼ cup honey and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Store in the fridge and keep no longer than a week.
For children 1 year or older, give 1-2 teaspoons every 2-3 hours. Teens and adults can take 1-2 tablespoons at a time.
A sage gargle is very effective for sore throats.
Steep 1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves (2 teaspoons dried sage leaves) in 1 cup freshly boiled water, covered. Strain into a new cup, add ¼ teaspoon of salt and stir. Gargle with this every 1-2 hours.
Growing sage
Some people have difficulty growing sage (Salvia officinalis). It likes full sun and a limey soil (add some lime to your soil if necessary) that’s on the dry side. Soil does not need to be highly fertile. This plant is drought and frost resistant.
Growing thyme
Thyme (Thymus vulgarus) likes a sunny spot in free-draining soil. It doesn’t like wet feet, so add pumice or horticultural grit to improve drainage if required. If planting in pots, use a potting mix that’s low in nutrients. Rich soil encourages softer growth and diminishes flavour. Plants in the garden also have low fertiliser requirements. Drought and cold hardy.
Ginger
Ginger has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe sore throats and destroy viruses that cause upper respiratory infections. A simple ginger tea with lemon and honey is delicious and can be taken at the onset of a cold.
Put 2 ½ cm (1 inch) fresh ginger, sliced, in a saucepan with 1 ½ cups water. Cover and simmer on a low heat for 15 minutes. Strain and add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon honey. You can make and drink this up to 3 times a day. Children aged between 1 and 12 can drink ¼ to ½ cup, 1-3 times a day.
Essential oils
Studies have also shown that essential oils can halt airborne microbes, which are easily spread by coughing, sneezing, even talking or turning the pages of books. A trial at Wythenshawe Hospital Burns Unit in the UK found that using a vaporiser to diffuse a blend of oils (clove, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus and rosemary) into the air combated certain bacteria, including MRSA, a contagious and antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria. In the nine-month study, in-air bacteria diminished by more than 90%.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus has anti-viral and other antimicrobial properties. Use 3-7 drops in a steam bath (steam inhalation) to clear stuffy noses. Also, use at the first sign of a sore throat – it will stop it coming to fruition.
Cover head with towel and breathe through the nose. Keep your eyes closed.
Visit Jane's website at flamingpetal.co.nz.