Image courtesy of Thames & Hudson

Caz Hildebrand, author of “HERBARIUM,” recommends herbs to keep you well throughout the winter months.

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Have a cough or achy joints from the cold? As the prime time for harsh weather and even harsher sicknesses, winter can wreak havoc on the body. Our aches and pains usually take us to the drugstore to buy medicines, creams, and the like, but there are natural ways to promote wellness during the winter months. In her newest book, Herbarium, Caz Hildebrand provides a directory of 100 herbs along with a colorful illustration of each that includes facts like its botanical name and place of origin. Hildebrand also provides a history of each herb along with its modern uses in food, beauty regiments, health remedies, and overall wellness. Here, the award winning cookbook designer and author shares her herbal remedies for your winter troubles. Uncover more uses for herbs in Hildebrand’s book, available for $29.95 at Thames and Hudson.

Keep coughs, colds and flu at bay with plenty of garlic, yarrow, echinacea, thyme, and sage.

Garlic “Eat no onions nor garlic, for we are to utter sweet breath, And I do not doubt but hear them say, it is a sweet comedy.” William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Designed by Here Design © 2016 Inkipit Ltd

Herbs for well-being? Try St John’s wort to improve your mood.

St. John's Wort If you tread on St John’s wort after sundown, you will be swept up on the back of a magic horse that will charge around until sunrise before depositing you on open ground. Apparently. Designed by Here Design © 2016 Inkipit Ltd

For a soothing foot soak, add Rosehip to a large bowl of warm water.

A warming winter cocktail recipe: Rosemary with fig, vodka, lemon and soda.

Rosemary Possibly the most poignant use of a herb in the history of literature occurs in Shakespeare’s Hamlet: Ophelia, turned mad through grief, measures our her sadness—“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance.” Designed by Here Design © 2016 Inkipit Ltd

Muscle and joint aches can be reduced with Meadowsweet.

An infusion of common thyme can ease common colds. Gargle it if you have a sore throat.

Thyme "I know a bank where the wild thyme blows.” William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Designed by Here Design © 2016 Inkipit Ltd

A calming potpourri can be made with alecost, rosemary, cloves, bay, cinnamon, and sage.

Goldenrod is sometimes recommended for colds and flu, allergies, kidney stones, arthritis and gout. It is taken as a tea made from the dried herb, as capsules or as liquid extract.

A primrose tisane can act as a mild sedative; a decoction of the roots can alleviate bronchial problems and coughs.

In modern Chinese medicine, a decoction or infusion of perilla is used for common colds, stuffy noses, coughs and headaches, for dispersing stagnant qi and calming the mind.

If foraging, always make sure you know exactly what it is that you are picking. If you have any doubt, don’t pick it. Guidebooks to identify edible plants can be helpful or, even better, take someone with you who is experienced in this area. It is your responsibility to be away of any foraging codes of conduct and relevant legislation that operate in your area.

 The information provided in “Herbarium” is not intended to be construed as or be used as an alternative to medical advice. Speak to your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any herbs or herbal supplements. The author and publisher cannot be held liable for any heath issue that may result from the information presented in this publication.