20 August 2026
How to strengthen your defences before autumn
Every year it's the same: the season's first cold arrives just as school starts and the weather turns. The good news is that the immune system can be prepared in advance, and the herbalist's tools for the job have centuries of track record. This is the plan we've always recommended in the shop.
September–October: the echinacea course
Echinacea is the reference plant for stimulating the immune system. The classic approach is a three-to-four-week course in early autumn, as extract or capsules, followed by a few weeks' break. Taken this way it prepares the ground; taken at the first symptom, it can shorten and soften a cold.
Treasures of the hive: propolis and royal jelly
Propolis is the resin bees use to sterilise the hive, and one of the most complete natural antiseptics for the throat and airways: as a spray, syrup or lozenge, it's our winter first aid. Royal jelly, taken in the morning in vials, brings vitality and is especially useful for school-age children and the elderly.
At the first chill: hot elderflower
At the first chill, European tradition is clear: a piping-hot elderflower infusion, tucked up warm in bed. It promotes sweating — helping the body 'cook through' the cold — and pairs perfectly with fresh ginger, lemon and honey. No miracles, but many a cold stops halfway.
Plants mentioned in this guide
In the shop you'll find
This information reflects traditional uses of plants for general guidance and does not replace advice from a health professional. If you take medication, are pregnant or have a medical condition, ask before using them.