Dear Medicine Worker,
With the news about the super flu going around, I thought I would share my favorite herbs for prevention and staying well during flu season. It is always best to think ahead and be proactive when it comes to transmissible illnesses. By putting a plan in place ahead of time and using herbs before we get sick, we can significantly decrease our chances of contracting the flu. And if the virus does get through our defenses, we have a better chance of having a milder case and fighting it off faster.
In the next post, I'll share my favorite herbs for use during a cold or flu; for now, I'm focusing on strategies for prevention and staying well.
Before we get to the herbs...
As I say all of the time, herbs are amazing, but they work best when we don't expect them to do all of the work. In order to keep our immune system functioning properly, we need to look at our lifestyle. Are we getting enough sleep? Are we managing our stress? Are we getting proper nutrition? If not, we should give these areas attention, as they all affect our immune function.
In addition, the following strategies can also help us stay well...
Get fresh air and sunlight daily.
Move our bodies.
Dress warmly in cold weather.
Take a good multivitamin with zinc, vitamin C, and B vitamins.
Avoid sugary foods that decrease immune function.
Ok, now that the basics are out of the way, let's talk about the herbs.
My 5 favorite herbs for flu prevention...
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra, S. canadensis)
Elderberry has to be number one here. It has been used traditionally for both prevention and treatment of viral infections, including flu, wherever it grows. In addition, we have studies showing elderberry's effectiveness against the flu virus, regardless of strain.
See the rest of this article over on my Patreon page… An Herblist’s Journal…
Tomorrow, December 31st, is the last day to subscribe to An Herbalist’s Journal at the $1 a month tier. When you become a paid subscriber, you get instant access to all my previous herbal medicine posts (over 200!) and recorded classes. You can also expect 2-3 posts a month on how I am using herbal medicine in my own practice. There is practical content for beginner and advanced herbalists, and I’ve got some interesting stuff planned for the winter months.
I hope to see you there.
In good medicine,
April
Over on Patreon…
My Patreon is where I share stories, thoughts, and sometimes classes about how I am working with the plant medicine in my own practice. Every month, I try to post at least one post that is free for everyone, and one or two posts for paid subscribers that go a little more in-depth about specific plants and how I work with them. |
I started this Patreon page a few years ago because some of my students wanted to continue learning after our classes were over for the season. It is my way of sharing a window into my herbal practice to inspire your practice. |
There are 3 subscription tiers to choose from, depending on your ability to pay. And you can also join as a free member and get immediate access to all past free posts! The $1 a month subscription tier will be ending January 1st! |
Recent posts… |
Making and formulating with Schisandra Tincture
Baking with Einkorn Flour
My 5 Favorite Herbs for Flu Prevention
To check it out, click the button below. |
Alchemy of Menopause online course
Ready to dive into a holistic and empowered menopause? Join Cathy Skipper and me for our next run of the Alchemy of Menopause online course, starting September 12th. I will walk you through the physical aspects of the menopause transition and how to support the process with diet, lifestyle, herbs, and supplements. Cathy will share her alchemical framework for working with the psychological aspects of menopause for healing and transformation. Together, we offer a holistic framework to give you the tools to navigate this time in a positive and powerful way.
This program combines self-paced depth work with real-time mentorship. You’ll receive:
9 self-paced modules of video teachings, guided meditations, and transformative exercises (lifetime access)
Individual Onboarding and regular check-in
Bi-Weekly (every 2 weeks) 90-minute live Zoom sessions including group coaching, integration, and real-time support
Lifetime access to all course materials and replays
Community connection via a private digital chat space (Pumble)
Optional Essential Oils kit (9 curated samples) to accompany your inner work
Let's reclaim menopause! It is our time.
Join our free, 90-minute group coaching session next month to get a taste of what we do.
Book a consultation
I offer one-on-one support to help you reach your wellness goals. All consultations are online and include custom wellness plans, individualized herbal formulas, and ongoing support. Click the button below for more information or to book your initial consultation.
Upcoming and recorded classes in 2025...
Alchemy of Menopause course https://menopausealchemy.com/live-online-hybrid-menopause-course/
Purchase single and bundled class recordings available to watch now https://www.patreon.com/nettlejuice/shop
XXFFFSSSSSSSs
click to visit the medicine shop