So, I woke up this morning with the beginning of a cold. This elderberry tea is my personal, go-to magic bullet to fight any kind of winter ick.

It’s a heady mix of berries, flowers, and herbs that almost always beats a cold if I drink it right when I first start to sniffle. (Which was this morning!)

I use this combo for the herbal properties–and also for the plant spirit energy.

I’ve found over the years that I do my best healing work when I combine physical medicine with energetic medicine.

Here’s what’s in my magical brew.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

This small purple berry is an antioxidant powerhouse that may help boost your immune system. Elderberry tea has been one of my foundation remedies since I started studying herbalism more than a decade ago.

Many believe it has potent antiviral properties. Elderberry is the rockstar of folk remedies for cold and flu.

Since I use them all winter, I buy a few pounds in August before they start to sell out.

Elderflower (Sambucus nigra)

The tiny yellow flower is from the same tree and has a lot of the same properties.

In pagan traditions, the elder tree offers protection, enhances dreams, and helps you access the Faerie realms.

It was used to heal, and also to exorcise negative spirits and spells. It was believed that carrying any part of the tree would protect a person.

The leaves and branches were often hung around a house’s entrance doors to protect all within. (Pretty good medicine, right?) 

In pagan traditions, the elder tree offers protection and healing, enhances dreams, and helps you access the Faerie realms. (Pretty good medicine, right?)

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow is ancient medicine. It’s a febrifuge, which means it can help bring down fevers.

Legendary Greek hero Achilles used yarrow to treat the wounds of his soldiers in battle.

It’s know to help staunch wounds that are bleeding. Topically, I use yarrow essential oil on bruises and cuts. It seems to really promote healing and shorten the time that it takes.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

I add this for the menthol oil, which can really help open sinuses and get mucous flowing out.

Red rose petals (Rosa damascena)

Rose is super astringent. It’s a great nervine, which means it can help elevate your mood (and who doesn’t need that when they’re sick?).

It’s also a mighty tonic for the heart.

The heart is the body’s energetic power center, so when I’m under the weather, I always pay more attention to my heart chakra to keep my energy up and flowing.

What’s your go-to remedy for a cold?

Drop me a comment below, I’d love to know! 

Explore more plant and animal medicine

Discover more about plant medicine.

Learn more about working with animal medicine and spirit animals.

Disclaimer: I love you guys, but I’m not a licensed physician and this info is for educational purposes only. If you’re sick, go to the doctor. (And I hope you feel better soon!)