Your Immune System, Some Herbs, and a Few Thieves.

Guess what these are!

It's that season again where everyone is coughing and sneezing. My husband wakes with a sore throat and I give him horehound. A few people's ears start hurting so I make an essential oil blend for their relief. As the weather turns cool and damp, our immune systems take a nasty hit. Some people feel as though they are always catching something, questioning those who hardly ever seem to get sick. They need a boost for their immune systems.

So I'm doing something about that.

As some of you may know, I'm making an Immune System Booster glycerite. It's taken a while to finally put into action, as I've had quite a few specialized product requests (all of which I am completely thankful for and hope to continue doing). Yes, I practice holistic medicine, but the most important value of holistic medicine is maintaining good health - "preventive medicine", as it were. In maintaining good health, it isn't as hard for our body to fight viruses and bacteria as it would be if we were in poor health to begin with. One of the key factors for good health is to have a good immune system.

What herbs and oils can help maintain a good immune system while preventing illness? There are quite a few that help, actually. Not only does eating healthy and nutritionally to begin with help, but adding these herbs to your diets will also help protect your health.

• ​Garlic (Allium sativum) - Protects against parasites such as worms and will also protect against colds.
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - Sure, this herb tastes fine in a Sunday roast or in your favorite Italian dish but only those who can handle bitter flavors can stand to drink a decoction of rosemary! Adding it to your meals often will help fight off stomach ulcers and bacteria, but if you want something straight to the point for a nasty cold try my Herbal Version of Nightquil. (See picture below.) After taking a tablespoon of that, I'm out like a light and wake up feeling much better.
• Lemon (Citrus limon) - Lemon is full of vitamin C, but it also is an antiseptic and kills bacteria.
• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) - Another favorite culinary herb but it's also been known to clear infections from digestive system (herb) as well as the lung (oil).
• Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) - This is an all time favorite herb for those seeking to boost their immune systems! Full of antioxidants as well as a touch of vitamin C, this herb has been traditionally used for treating illness and was even used to treat the flu epidemic in Panama in 1995.
• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) - This beautiful flower was used by the native Americans for many ailments. The most popular were respiratory ailments and colds. This herb helps your system heal as well as help prevent the next attack.

Echinacea purpurea

• ​Rose hips (Rosa canina) - Believe it or not, this herb has more vitamin C in it than an orange. Because of that, it will help your body absorb iron. ​

Many times in the past have herbs been used for the support immune system. Have you heard of Four Thieves Oil? Or maybe you know it by "Three" Thieves Oil. Or even still, possibly just by "Thieves" Oil. Whatever you may call it, the concept is constant: it's an oil made of cold and flu fighting herbs. Where did it get its name? There's an interesting story behind it...

​The story originates from the Middle Ages when the Black Plague was very prevelant across Europe. People dying by the cart loads from this disease, many tried everything physically and spiritually possible to protect themselves from this death. Because of the chaos of the plague, many thieves preyed on the weakness of the ill and dying and those unprotected. From priests who promised salvation from the Plague through repentance and payment of money, to those that pillaged houses and highway robbery.

Now the story goes that three (or four, it changes from mouth to mouth of storyteller) thieves were caught in the middle of a robbery, but in the midst of all those that were sick and dying they seemed to be untouched by the plague. Curious, the judge of the town swore for their release in exchange of knowledge on the secret of how the thieves were unscathed of illness. The thieves had made an oil of herbs that today have been proven to fight off and heal a bad cold or flu. Most every version of this oil is a little different, but they all usually contain rosemary. One thing is for sure, though: in every story, the ratio of herbs was to the ratio of thieves. So if it's Three Thieves Oil, it could be made of rosemary, cloves, and garlic; if it is Four Thieves Oil, it could add sage. This is why every recipe you find for it differs slightly.
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Immune System Booster glycerites in the making!

My Immune System Booster glycerite won't be made of rosemary and thyme, but it will be a beneficial addition to your heal regimen. Made of elderberry, rose hips, and echinacea, this glycerite will help boost your immune system rather than overloading it. 
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​So now it is 10:00 pm and I'm going to go finish making a few orders. I love this, all of this - herbs that heal and creating what is in my mind into existence with my own hands. While we wait for the glycerites, there is still a new product that I have uploaded to the apothecary: the Varicose Vein Relief essential oil blend. 
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I hope everyone has a happy and healthy rest of the week. I have great news coming Friday! 
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