After a typically British Summer followed by a beautiful but somewhat brief and misty Autumn we find the air turning colder and the nights drawing in. Winter is here wrapping our gardens in a shawl of glistening white frost.

While we prepare for the festivities ahead we need to be mindful of our health and protect ourselves against the inevitable winter bugs. We also need to protect our skin from the cold and driving rain as well as the dehydrating effects of central heating. For this reason I have dedicated this column to five herbs that I feel are a must to see us through until Spring. Marshmallow which can act as a barrier to the elements, whilst hydrating the skin. Thyme whose powerful antiseptic properties make it perfect for banishing fungal infections. Tea tree the fantastic herb from Australia with its myriad of uses, Eucalyptus renowned worldwide for its decongestant properties. And finally Camphor a herb to help alleviate the aches and pains associated with rheumatism and chilblains.

Althaea officinalis- Marshmallow

To most people Marshmallow brings to mind confectionary, the soft sticky sweet beloved of children and adults alike. Although Marshmallow does form part of the original recipe it is barely, if at all present in today’s brands.

This rich and nourishing herb is a must for winter skin. Its name comes from the Greek word 'altho' which means 'to heal'. It was introduced to Britain by the Romans although its use have been documented long before this. Marshmallow pollen has been discovered at ancient burial sites along with yarrow and other well known herbs. The Romans and the Egyptians regarded the herb as a delicacy and it was eaten as a vegetable. In fact today a soup called Malukhiyah made from a local species of Mallow is the national dish of Egypt, It is delicious and I practically lived on this when I was last there. In modern France the young tops of the plant are eaten in spring salads. An old English recipe suggests frying up mallow root with onions and butter, I don’t know how this tastes but it would be a great healing food for those suffering from gastric ulcers. This is because of marshmallow’s wonderful demulcent and emollient properties, as well as soothing inflammation and irritation in the gut, it also exerts similar effects on the respiratory system and urinary system making it a choice herb in treating coughs and bronchial conditions where it serves an expectorant, and for cystitis and other urinary infections. In France a paste of Marshmallow called 'Pate de Guimauve' is rubbed into the chest to soothe bronchial complaints. When consumed as a medicine, Marshmallow provides a protective coating for the digestive, respiratory and urinary system acting as a barrier against infection and irritants whilst working its healing benefits on the inflamed tissue at the same time.

Externally Herbalists use it for a wide range of skin complaints ranging from boils, abscesses, ulcers and burns, to bruises and strains. Even if you are not afflicted by these complaints Marshmallow makes a rich and nourishing crème forming a barrier against the elements, soothing sore dry skin. It can be used on daily as a face, hand and body crème.

Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)

We all know this one, perhaps more in a culinary sense than a medical one. This incredibly important herb has a rich history of use and tradition throughout the ancient world.

Thyme comes from the Greek word thyein meaning 'to smoke', this was because it was used to make incense probably for its insecticide properties rather than for its perfume. The ancient Egyptians used it in the embalming process of their mummies, the Romans were said to sleep on beds of it to ward off melancholy. In Europe it was used in times of plague as a strewing herb. Thyme contains a substance called thymol which is a powerful antiseptic; it is used to medicate surgical gauzes and dressings. It is also used in deodorants. Thymol resembles carbolic acid in its actions.

As said before Thyme is a powerful antiseptic, whether taken as a tea or tincture internally, used topically as a crème or inhaled as an oil. Thyme oil can be toxic in overdose, do not use the pure oil internally for any reason, for this reason home use should be restricted to bath oils and crèmes, small amounts may be given internally but only by your herbalist. A lovely way to enjoy the benefits is to use it in the bath, it stimulates circulation and is good for chills and lethargy, its strong aromatic aroma is especially good for bronchitis, pleurisy, coughs and colds, and pneumonia, it helps shift phlegm owing to its expectorant properties. Thyme crème can be rubbed on to the chest to help you breathe more easily especially at night before bed when the symptoms of flu always feel at their worst. Culpepper describes it as a 'notable strengthener of the lungs'. Another important respiratory property of thyme is its use as a bronchodilator making an excellent addition to asthma medicine; it also has a long tradition of being used for whooping cough in children.

Thymes antiseptic properties can also be made use of in gastroenteritis and other ‘tummy bugs’, as well as fighting the infection it also helps to restore and encourage the growth of healthy gut flora ( as found in natural yoghurt) . Thyme is also valuable for easing colic associated with Irritable bowel syndrome, peppermint and camomile can be added in this case.

Many urinary tract infections can be treated with Thyme, although you should get advice from your GP or herbalist in this instance as these kinds of infections may need investigation and to be kept a check on. Thyme also has a local anaesthetic effect so it can be used as a crème or balm externally for rheumatic conditions, arthritis, and aching muscles. This anaesthetic effect teamed with its antiseptic properties make it a great gargle for sore throats and as a douche for thrush.

Around the house Thyme can be mixed with dried lavender flowers to preserve linen from moths, hung in bunches around the house it wards of most insects.

Eucalyptus- Eucalyptus globulus

Also known as the gum tree, here we have another herb of Australian origin although it is also now grown in other parts of the world. It is another extremely powerful antiseptic. The leaves are used as a gargle for throat infections and for wound dressings. It has a history of use in tuberculosis and other serious lung complaints. It was also a constituent of liniments used in rheumatic conditions. For coughs and respiratory problems it is best used as an inhalant. Just pour a few drops of the oil into some hot water, place at towel over your head and inhale, its soothing and decongesting effects are instant.

Its main use is antiseptic and expectorant but it also has antispasmodic qualities. It is ideal in fevers occurring in flu cold and flu viruses where it can be rubbed onto the chest to ease bronchial problems and asthma symptoms .In hospitals it is used to lubricate catheters. It is interesting to note that while it seems that the medical world are only just opening up to the use of herbs, actually they can commonly be found in hospitals and clinics in various preparations, about 70% of medicines are derived from plant constituents. In veterinary practice, Eucalyptus oil is used to treat horses with influenza and to all animals in septicaemia. It is also used in parasitic skin infections. I must also mention eucalyptuses use as an insecticide and its apparent ability to ward off mosquitoes, a few drops can be added to the seams of clothing and the oil can also be heated as an oil burner, if it doesn’t ward off those mosquitoes it does make a very good air purifier. Use a few drops of oil in a burner or on your pillow if you are suffering from a cold or flew, this will help you breathe and promote sleep. A combination of Eucalyptus with mint may help relieve snoring.

Camphor- Cinnamonum camphora

Camphor comes from the French word Camphre which itself comes from the Latin ‘Camfora’. The Arabic word for it is Kafur.Camphor has a strong penetrating and fragrant odour and is often used in incense. It is an important part of many Hindu ceremonies, it symbolizes consciousness. In Asia, Camphor is commonly used as a flavouring in sweets.Although Camphor has been used internally to treat anxiety and pain it can be toxic so should only be used externally at home.

As an ingredient to cremes, oils and salves it acts as a mild analgesic (pain killer). Like menthol it is very cooling, these effects make it perfect for chill blains and muscle and joint stiffness sprains, rheumatism and neuralgia. These conditions are all common in the winter months, rub it into aches and pains as required. It also works wonders for itchiness. Cosmetically it makes a wonderful clarifying face mask.

As you can see Camphor, Tea Tree, Thyme and Eucalyptus are a great combination for alleviating the symptoms of the winter flu viruses so you should be well armed in protecting your health in the winter months ahead whilst enjoying radiant nourished skin courtesy of Mallow.

I would like to wish everyone a very merry festive season and will return in spring.

With love