How to tackle viruses and colds with herbs

Teas and dried herbs have been part of our shop since the very beginning. There's nothing better than brewing a fragrant cup while playing a board game or reading a new book. In our selection, you'll find not only high-quality loose-leaf teas but also a wide range of interesting herbs.

Winter is also the season of sniffing and coughing. Modern medicine works wonders, but trying a different path—the way of our grandmothers and their grandmothers—is never a bad idea. We've prepared a few tips for you on how to fight off those nasty bugs and colds.

Herbal infusions from single herbs or blends

Great for infusions are sage, yarrow, thyme, elderflower, plantain, purple coneflower (echinacea), mullein, marjoram, fennel, licorice, or linden. Also, those high in vitamin C, such as strawberry leaves, raspberry leaves, or spruce tips.

You can also make syrup from fresh tips—place layers of tips and sugar into a clean, dry jar. Leave the jar in the sun until all the sugar dissolves and the tips release their juice. Then, strain the syrup and store it in the fridge.

For herbal blends, I use 3 or more types of herbs, depending on what I have at home and what I'm in the mood for. It's ideal to drink 2-3 cups of warm infusion daily at the first signs of "feeling under the weather" and continue for a week or two. You can sweeten your tea with honey and lemon. You can also add fresh ginger to the blend (or make a separate tea from it). I use one part of each herb in the blend. For one cup of infusion, I use 1-2 teaspoons.

What are my favorite blends?

• Sage, yarrow, elderflower, strawberry leaves, and spruce tips.
• Plantain, linden, mullein, rosehip, and blackberry leaves.
• Echinacea, thyme, fennel, chokeberry, and raspberry leaves.

Herbal tinctures

Tinctures can be made from both fresh and dried herbs. Place them in a jar and cover with alcohol (min. 40% alcohol content, e.g., vodka, slivovitz, or medicinal alcohol) so that the mixture is completely submerged. Unsubmerged pieces can get moldy. Let it steep for 4-6 weeks, shaking the jar every day.

You can use tinctures internally or for inhalation. Spruce tincture is also great for rubbing on sore backs, joints, and muscles. You can inhale both infusions and tinctures added to hot water.

Old wives' tales and herbal wisdom

A saline solution is very suitable for inhalation or gargling. Finely chopped onion sprinkled with sugar releases juice, which you can take several times a day. Garlic or a combination of both is also effective. You can add fresh ginger here as well.

Advice for patients aged 18+: To sweat it out, boil about 2 dl of wine and add about 1 dl of slivovitz, honey, and lemon to the cup. I recommend drinking it in bed. After this potion, nothing will bother you anymore. :)

author Gabriela Foltová