Wild Medicine for Colds & Flus
How to Make a Wild Foraged Cough & Cold Syrup
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Did you know that all of the medicines you need for soothing and healing inflamed throats and lungs grow right from the land in this Front Range area? There are many medicines that are helpful for colds and flus, but I like to think that the land knows me where I’m from and creates just the right support for my system with the medicines she produces right underneath my feet. The same is likely true for you and wherever you are living.
Here’s my recipe for how to make a Colorado wild foraged medicine for coughs and colds.
Directions:
1. Start with a base of infused Monarda Honey. In late July or early August here on the front range, when the flowers of Monarda Fistulosa are at their peak, harvest a 1 quart jar full of fresh purple wizard head flowers (that’s what the kiddo’s call them:) and cover with honey. Let this marinade and steep until you are ready to use as the base for this cough syrup. You can read my blog post all about Monarda and how to make this honey.
* Note: If you do not have this infused medicinal honey yet still want to make this recipe, you can still make it with a base of plain local honey. You will still gain all the benefits from wild cherry bark, and other herbs.
2. In the fall or winter, harvest several small branches from the Wild Cherry (or Choke Cherry) tree. You only need 1 cup of peeled bark, so just a small handful of branches will do. If you are working with twigs, you can use the outer and inner bark. If you have slightly larger branches, peel back the outer layer of bark and only use the inner bark for this recipe. You can also gather Wild Cherry Bark from your local apothecary.
3. In a heavy bottom saucepan, combine 1 cup Wild Cherry Bark with 3 cups water. Bring to a gentle boil then simmer on low for about an hour, or until the liquid is reduced by half.
4. In the summer months, I gather Choke Cherries (which are delicious for jams and other foods). I set some aside in the freezer to use throughout the winter. You’ll need 1 cup of these frozen choke cherries for this recipe. If you don’t have choke cherries, you could substitute elderberries for this recipe which you can either gather or find at your local apothecary.
5. In another heavy bottom saucepan, combine 1 cup Choke Cherry with 2 cups water. Bring to a gentle boil then simmer on low for about an hour, or until the liquid is reduced by half.
6. Gather up a large handful of pine needles. I like to use Ponderosa Pine needles but you could use needles from your favorite conifers. Chop ‘em up to release their medicines. Avoid pines that aren't really pines—meaning, make sure you are correctly identifying your trees with a good guidebook. And stay away from the highly toxic Yew (genus taxus).
7. Gather up the other ingredients (either ethically wildcrafting or from an apothecary) of Osha Root, Marshmallow Root, and Star Anise.
8. Combine Pine Needles, Osha Root, Marshmallow and Star Anise in a third pot and cover with 2 cups water. Bring to a gentle boil then simmer on low for about an hour, or until the liquid is reduced by half.
9. In a separate large pot, strain your Monarda Honey (or simply add 1 qt honey if using plain honey). This will serve as the base of your syrup.
10. Strain the decoctions of all the other herbs (Wild Cherry Bark, Choke Cherry, and the mix of Pine, Osha, Marshmallow and Anise) into the honey base. Stir, and heat on low until the syrup reduces to your desired consistency and taste.
* Note: Be careful not to boil honey as it will lose its medicinal properties when over-heated.
11. Optional: Add in a dash of Brandy if you like. This helps preserve the syrup for longer.
12. Bottle and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks, or freeze for longer storage.
A NOTE ON FORAGING:
It is a beautiful offering to forage herbs and plants. When we do this in a good way we are helping the plant to live out their life purpose, giving us their fruits to feed, nourish and sustain us. This being said, when you head out to harvest there are a couple of things that are good to be aware of.
Always ask permission from the plant to harvest and make an offering. Some people offer tobacco, some a strand of hair. I say, offer whatever it is that is sacred to you. It is a way to acknowledge the generosity of the plant and give a little something in gratitude for all that we receive from them.
Only take what you need and have a plan for. Know that what you harvest has an effect on the life of the plant and other animals around. Harvest in gratitude for what you need, and leave what you don’t.
Always leave enough for the plant to stay vibrant and reproduce for the coming year. A good rule of thumb is to never take the first, never take the last, only take what is given, and never take more than half.
Why Choose These Herbs?
I know myself through my relationship with the land, and I believe the land knows and loves me too. I choose to work with these herbs because they are of this land where I live, and because each one of them offers pretty freaking awesome medicines to help us through these sticky icky times of sickness. Here are some of their properties:
Monarda ~ Great for infectious conditions of the lungs, sore throat, digestive system, and urinary tract. Awesome for sore throat and low grade fever. Aids immune system, and is antibacterial, antifungal, anesthetic, and clears mucus.
Wild Cherry Bark ~ Quiets respiratory irritation. Useful for infections of lungs and persistent coughs.
Choke Cherries ~ Soothing for sore throat and respiratory system, quiets irritation, astringent.
Pine Needles ~ Super high in vitamin C, also in vitamin A, minerals and antioxidants. Used for respiratory ailments, aiding in the elimination of congestion and mucus. Improve immune function.
Osha Root ~ Antiviral, supports immune function. Great for any respiratory disease, especially supporting movement of mucus and congestion.
Marshmallow ~ Soothing and healing to mucus membranes in the respiratory tract.
Anise ~ Expectorant helping to move congestion, antispasmodic helping relax irritation, and anti-inflammatory.
Honey ~ Antibacterial, supports and boosts immune function.
I’m curious - is this Wild Foraged Cough & Cold Syrup a recipe you might try? Leave a comment down below if this is something you might give a go, or if it’s something you’d love to try in a workshop.
Sending lots of warmth to you and yours as we make it through this mighty cold and flu season! 🤍