©2007-2020 by Kathleen Raven Wildwood
NOTE: All herbs have many actions and uses that may not be listed here. Also, there are many other herbs that are not named that perform the actions listed below. The information provided here is a great place to start.
Immune Nutritives: Seaweed such as Kelp, Nettle leaves & stalks (which contain large amounts of nutrients needed for immune system function), Violet Leaves
Immune System Tonics: Calendula blossoms, Echinacea root, Nettle leaves & stalks, Seaweed, Elderberry, Maitake Mushrooms, Reishi Mushrooms, Shiitake Mushrooms, Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) and others.
Herbal Actions & Herbs to Relieve Cold and Flu Symptoms
Anti-microbials, Anti-bacterials : Yarrow, Thyme, Goldenrod, Violet, Calendula, Garlic, Echinacea, many many others
Anti-catarrhals : Help the body to reduce mucus
Boneset, Echinacea, Goldenrod, Elder flower, Hyssop, Sage, Yarrow, Thyme
Anti-virals: Calendula, Elderberry, Echinacea, St. John’s Wort, Licorice, Astragalus, Lemon Balm, Goldenrod flowers, many others
Astringents: reduce secretions and discharges. They usually contain tannins.
Yarrow, Elderflower, Comfrey leaf, Goldenrod
Demulcents: soothe irritated tissues and prevent further irritation: Marshmallow root, Marshmallow leaves and flowers, Comfrey leaf, Licorice root, Flax seed
Anti-pyretics/Febrifuges: Boneset, Elder flower, Yarrow, Peppermint
Anti-inflammatories: Ginger, Calendula, Goldenrod, Elderberry, Chamomile
Anodynes (pain relievers): Boneset (especially muscular/rheumatic pain), Yarrow, Violet
Lymphatics: Calendula, Echinacea, Red Clover blossoms, Cleavers
Diaphoretics: Yarrow, Boneset, Elder flower, Goldenrod, Garlic, Ginger, Peppermint
Expectorants: Violet leaf, Comfrey leaf, Hyssop, Licorice, Mullein, Elder flower, Marshmallow, Thyme, Wild Cherry, Horehound
Decongestants: Garlic, Ginger, Thyme, any herb containing volatile oils, many others
Adaptogens: helps the body to deal with long term stress which can wear down the immune system: Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng), American Ginseng, Rhodiola, Oats, Nettle, Astragalus
Herbs to Relieve Cold & Flu Symptoms
Violet – expectorant, anodyne, nutritive, demulcent, antiseptic, immune amphoteric (normalizer), cooling
Ginger – warming, stimulates circulation, anti-inflammatory, breaks up congestion,
circulates lymph, increases interferon production
Thyme – anti-catarrhal, expectorant, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, asthma, carminative, anti-spasmodic, anti-bacterial
Yarrow – astringent, febrifuge, diaphoretic, hypotensive, diuretic, antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial
Elder flower – febrifuge, astringent, anti-catarrhal, hay fever, sinusitis, cold, flu, tones mucous membranes
Elder berry – antiviral, anti-rheumatic, also similar to flower uses
Boneset – “the flu herb”, diaphoretic, relieves muscle aches and pains, aperient, anti-spasmodic, relaxes mucous membranes
Licorice – expectorant, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, mild laxative, adrenal agent
Goldenrod – anti-catarrhal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, anti-viral, carminative, diuretic, sinus, hay fever, allergies.
Calendula – immune system tonic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antifungal, antibacterial, astringent, vulnerary, cholagogue
Mullein – Respiratory system tonic, expectorant, demulcent, anti-spasmodic (for coughs), used for both dry and wet coughs