Colds & Flu with Green, Yellow, or Bloody Mucus

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝘂𝘀 - 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻, 𝘆𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄, 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘆, 𝗳𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿

Sage - antibacterial, antifungal, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, antiviral, drying = good for excessive secretions, a head cold that goes into a sinus infection, staph infection, opens the Lungs relieving Heat and inflammation = anti-inflammatory, sore throat

Pleurisy - antispasmodic, expectorant, diaphoretic, lowers fever, an herb used for when it hurts to breathe, coughing so much it hurts, draws out phlegm from the system, opens up membranes surrounding heart and lungs

Honeysuckle flower- alterative, cools the Blood, antibacterial, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, upper respiratory tract infection, flu, sore throat, pneumonia, fever, disperses Heat and toxic matter

Ground ivy - antiviral, expectorant, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory activities, upper respiratory tract infection, diaphoretic, sinusitis, viral pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections, cough

Usnea- antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, expectorant, clears Heat toxins, upper respiratory infections, strep throat, staph, pneumonia, bronchitis, colds, flu

𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄, 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻, 𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘆, 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 - 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗱𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵

Horehound -slightly cool and slightly moist, Lung inflammation (anti-inflammatory), Lung congestion = expectorant, transforms Phlegm -Heat, non-productive & spasmodic coughs, dry sticky mucus, bronchitis, sinusitis, bronchial asthma, laryngitis, hoarseness

Red clover flower - alterative, expectorant, antispasmodic, clears Heat toxins, cools the Blood, fever, inflamed Lungs, whooping cough, hot dry irritable cough, lymphatic congestion, moistening

Ophiopogon - antibacterial, antitussive (relieves cough), diaphoretic, tonifies Yin, dry throat & mouth, dry cough with thick or Bloody mucus, fever

Pseudostellaria - energetically neutral, Lung tonic, augments Qi & Yin, generates fluids (can be used with white mucus that is hard to expectorate as well), demulcent, per David Winston: Best Lung tonic - good for weak Lungs

***As always, ask your Dr. or a qualified herbalist about contraindications and interactions***

Ashwagandha - Withania somnifera - Smells Like a Horse

• Also known as Winter Cherry - Indian Ginseng - Ajagandha - Kanaje

• Bitter, warm, dry, sweet

• TCM: Tonifies Yang, calms the Shen, calms the Liver, augments Essence, transforms Phlegm, and stops coughing

• Belongs to the nightshade family - those with allergies or sensitivity to nightshades should not take it

• Considered to be Rasayana = tonic for longevity and vitality/vigor

• A calming adaptogen that regulates thyroid (stimulates the thyroid), testes, and adrenal glands, normalizes hormones and physiological functions

• nourishing, building =  relieves weakness and nervous exhaustion, emaciation, malnutrition, chronic fatigue

• promotes healthy sleep cycles, insomnia

• Grounding herb that regulates metabolic processes and stabilizes mood. Test have shown that extracts produce GABA-like activity = produces a calming effect, which makes sense as it is widely used for anxiety

• Often paired with Shatavari (Ashwagandha = Yang tonic - Shatavari = Yin tonic synergistic together)

• Used as an aphrodisiac, to build sexual energy and improve sperm count  (mixed with ghee and honey), infertility

• Rich in iron and used for anemia (mix powder w/ blackstrap molasses)

• Back pain, joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis

• Type II diabetes

• Takes about a month to build up in our system - so its effects won’t likely be noticed right away

Per David Winston-

• It has significant benefits for hyperimmune and hypoimmune function. 

• Used in India as part of protocols for cancer (suppresses tumors and prevents depletion of white blood cells

Per KP Khalsa - 

• chronic heart and vascular disorders, where it is often combined with the famous Terminalia arjuna (arjuna bark)

Per Michael and Lesley Tierra - 

• The leaves are used for hemorrhoids, wounds tumors, sores, rashes, and fever

Per Larken Bunce -  

• Ashwagandha can be uncomfortable for people that aren’t feeling safe or feel too uncomfortable to relax. Of course, we don’t want to force them or contribute to uncomfortable feelings. For these people, she suggests adding in other herbs like damiana or mugwort that have an uplift. 

• Pitta types  = cranky get grumpy on ashwagandha - should give it to them right before bed vs. during the day.

3 Herbs that Clear Heat and Cool the Blood

Sheng Di Huang - Raw Rehmannia- Rehmannia Glutinosa 

• The unprepared or raw root is Cold in nature vs the prepared root which is Warm in nature. 

• Used for fevers, thirst, mouth sores, and hemorrhaging. 

• Lack of Yin fluids with dry mouth, throat pain, afternoon fevers and feelings of Heat, and dry constipation.

• Also used in formulas to treat conditions such as diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and eczema.

Mu Dan Pi - Moutan Peony root bark - Paeonia Suffruticosa 

• Used in Chinese medicine for gynecological issues, such as amenorrhea, scanty periods, painful periods, muscle spasms, and enhancing blood flow. 

• Commonly used when there is Heat caused by deficiency such as menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. 

• Also used for headaches, flank, and eye pain due to Liver Fire. 

Oregon Grape root- Berberis repens, Mahonia repens

• Liver tonic that stimulates bile flow  = increases digestion and absorption by breaking down fats into fatty acids. 

• Cools the Liver and is often used for toxic Liver issues from alcohol or drugs (hepatitis, jaundice, enlarged Liver). 

• Antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal making it useful for IBS, UTIs, yeast infections, acne, rosacea, cysts, dermatitis, styes, strep and staph infections, intestinal viruses, and inflamed gums.

• Oregon Grape root and Barberry are often interchanged due to their similarities.