Winter coughs and colds

Sometimes it seems like everyone comes down with a cold at the same time. It certainly feels like that at the moment, with most people I know suffering from or just recovering from a nasty, prolonged, cough and cold. Although most people wouldn’t consider consulting a herbalist for these conditions and they generally they go away of their own accord, there are some lovely herbal remedies available for easing symptoms and encouraging healing. A traditional remedy is thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) syrup which I use as a base for individual remedies. The herbs are expectorant, aiding elimination of catarrah, antibacterial, antiviral, antiinflammatory and soothing. Apart from these benefits, the syrup is also delicious, if rather addictive! Other herbs can be added depending on the individual; for example, a tickly cough at night can be temporarily stopped using wild cherry bark (Prunus serotina) and irritated membranes can be soothed further with herbs such as plantain (Plantago lancolata) or marshmallow (Althea officinalis).