Herb queen's top picks: Five kitchen remedies for winter health

Are you feeling the first signs of fall-winter infections? Instead of reaching for pharmaceuticals, consider natural and easily accessible products. A physiotherapist advises which herbs and spices are most effective during heightened illnesses.

The infection season is approaching rapidly. We feel weak and are plagued by runny noses and coughs, headaches, and low-grade fevers. We recommend herbs as an alternative to traditional medications. Here are five that are worth using in the fall and winter to fight infections.

During the fall-winter period, viruses attack more intensely, affecting both younger and older populations. Respiratory viruses are most active in low temperatures. Exhausted by the cold, we become easy targets, and our immune system works worse, partly due to a deficiency in vitamin D3, making us more prone to illnesses.

Medications often reduce the symptoms of seasonal infections only slightly while causing a range of side effects: drowsiness, digestive problems, headaches. Herbs, including those used as spices found in your kitchen cabinet, are far more effective in reducing cold symptoms.

Agnieszka Skowerska lists five herbs worth keeping on hand during the fall-winter season: rosemary, marjoram, thyme, oregano, and cloves. She recommends pouring boiling water over one teaspoon (5 grams) of dried herbs or a few cloves, covering for 15 minutes, and then straining. You can add lemon, ginger, or honey to enhance the flavour. Drink this infusion 1-2 times a day.

• ROSEMARY

Rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties, which are useful in treating upper respiratory infections. It contains active substances that help reduce coughs and runny noses and boost immunity. It also has antibacterial properties and helps expel phlegm.

• MARJORAM

Marjoram reduces nasal mucosa congestion and swelling, easing breathing with a cold. It is also rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron, thereby aiding the body's recovery.

• THYME

Thyme is the most effective herb for upper respiratory infections. Its antibacterial, antifungal, and antispasmodic properties help clear phlegm and reduce coughs and runny noses.

• OREGANO

Oregano has anti-inflammatory properties and soothes sore throats. It also has antispasmodic and expectorant effects.

• CLOVES

Cloves have been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat cold symptoms. They contain eugenol, which has disinfectant, anesthetic, pain-relieving, and antibacterial properties.