From the kitchen
Recipes
Soups, teas and dishes in which herbs play the leading role, with ingredients, steps and points of attention. Each recipe links to the herbs it contains.
These are traditional dishes, not treatments. Also read the safety information for each herb, especially during pregnancy, when taking medication, or for children.
Browse by use
Recipes for: Colds
Asia · Chinese medical traditionsSweating tea with elder, yarrow and mintA classic hot tea for the start of a cold with fever and little sweating.ColdsSore throatElderberry · Yarrow · MintAbout 4 cups · Steep 15–30 minutes
Asia · Chinese medical traditionsSweetcorn soup with astragalusCorn soup on a 'jade windscreen' broth.ImmunityColdsAstragalus (huang qi) · White atractylodes (bai zhu) · Saposhnikovia root (fang feng)4–6 people · Preparation 15 min, cooking 35 min
Asia · AyurvedaHaldi doodh, warm turmeric milkMilk with turmeric and spices: in Indian households a familiar drink before bed or with a cold.Rest and sleepColdsTurmeric · Black pepper and long pepper · Ginger1 large mug · 10 minutes
Asia · Korean hanbang and the DonguibogamSaenggang-cha, Korean ginger teaGinger preserved in honey, a spoonful of which you stir into hot water in winter.ColdsFeeling coldDigestionGingerA jar for about 15 cups · 20 minutes, plus 1 week ripening
North America · Haudenosaunee medicineSpicebush teaA spicy tea of spicebush twigs.EverydayColdsSpicebush2 cups · 20 minutes
Home remediesTea for a starting coldA fresh mint tea for the first day of a cold.ColdsSore throatEchinacea · Mint · YarrowNorth AmericaEuropeLoose herb blend · 20–30 minutes
Home remediesHerbal honey for colds and fluRosemary, elder and ginger in honey.ColdsRosemary · Elderberry · GingerEuropeAsiaOne jar · Steep at least a week
Home remediesTincture for the cold seasonFive herbs in alcohol, for the cold season.ColdsThyme · Echinacea · Sweet violetEuropeNorth AmericaOne bottle · Steep 2–4 weeks
Body careBath oil for colds and fluA bath oil with eucalyptus, mint and rosemary.ColdsAlmond · Basil · RosemaryAsiaAfricaEuropeOceaniaOne bath · 5 minutes