5 herbs you should take in the winter, according to a herbalist

Herbal medicine has had somewhat of a revival in the last few years, perhaps thanks in part to the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and her love of adaptogens.   

If, like us, you’re attempting (failing) to stave off the office cold, and are interested in herbal alternatives to boost immunity, we asked herbalist and naturopath Jenya di Pierro, founder of Notting Hill-based wellness spa Cloud Twelve, for the medicinal herbs she recommends her clients take during the winter months.

The best way to take herbs is in food sources rather than supplements, she explains, “Herbs should be part of our daily diet providing us with vital nutrients and protection against various ailments,” says di Pierro, who is also a member of The Association of Master Herbalists. 

“However, the range of medicinal herbs extends beyond culinary varieties and if someone is already sick and requires stronger concentrations the best way to take them is in a tincture form, which is a method of extracting phytochemicals from a herb by macerating them in alcohol for a period of time.” 

While some of these are easily available such as garlic and ginger, di Pierro recommends purchasing some of the more obscure varieties from reputable herbalists, her pick is herbs-hands-healing.co.uk, so that you can be sure they’re harvested, preserved and transported ethically and effectively.

Here are her five top medicinal herbs to take while it’s cold out. 

Siberian ginseng

Siberian ginseng belongs to the class of herbs that are called adaptogens. Adaptogens are markable herbs that help the body adapt to stress and increase vitality. We often get sick when we are tired, cold and flu is the way our body tells us that it needs rest. Adaptogens are very helpful in providing us with nourishment and, as a result, resistance to disease. They are amphoteric, i.e. have a normalising effect on the body, calms us down when we are wired and can boost our energy when we are tired.

Siberian ginseng specifically enhances immunity against infections, protects against environmental pollutants and radiation by enhancing the liver’s ability to break down toxins. It also has a powerful anti-fatigue effect, can increase endurance and the ability of the mitochondria cells to produce energy.

Ginger  

Ginger is a wonderful warming herb and a circulatory stimulant. Another reason we get sick in winter is because everything gets sluggish when it’s cold and poor circulation and nutrient supply to tissues and organs results in various deficiencies.

Ginger stimulates, heart and circulation and has a warming effect on the body. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and is excellent for sore throats, bringing down fever, clearing catarrh and a wide range of bacterial and viral infections.

Garlic

Garlic has similar properties and is possibly the strongest natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral herb that exists. Its active component allicin is released when garlic is crushed, sadly its beneficial properties are greatly reduced by cooking. One of the best garlic preparations is garlic macerated in apple cider vinegar. It’s one of the most popular herbal products at Cloud Twelve in winter – and it doesn’t give you smelly breath. 

Another effective preparation especially for babies are garlic socks. Garlic penetrates very easily through the sock and skin and gets directly into the blood stream clearing infection quite quickly. It can also be applied on the chest through a cloth for respiratory tract infections and catarrh (applying it directly will burn the skin).

Echinacea

Echinacea is a wonder herb that does not directly kill bacteria or viruses, but activates our immune system and enhances lymph function which houses white blood cells, more specifically macrophages which play a key role in the orchestration of the immune response. 

It is commonly used as a supportive therapy in the treatment of the common cold and upper respiratory tract infections and has also been shown to possess palliative effects on wound damage and inflammation.

Elder

With its abundant white flowers, the elder tree has been called the “medicine chest”, as it has so many health benefits.

A hot tea infusion of flowers can help during the onset of a cold, fever, flu, tonsillitis or laryngitis. Its decongestant and relaxant effects can also relieve catarrh and bronchial congestion. Both flowers and berries are antimicrobial. 

Gargle with an elder flower infusion to soothe a sore throat, mouth ulcers or inflamed gums, or use it as an eyewash for conjunctivitis or sore and tired eyes. 

Flowers, meanwhile, can be calming and soothing for tension, anxiety and depression.