All of us at Fantastic Foragers wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!

My father was the master of "Dad jokes".  He used to tell them all the time, and even though we may have groaned when he told them, they often contained some degree of wisdom or insight.  One of his favorites at this time of year was, "I opened the window and in flew Enza." Influenza, get it?  The reality is that we are now in the heart of cold and flu season in northern Ohio. Ugh!

Have you ever thought about the expression, "I caught a cold or I caught the flu"? While the viruses that result in cold or flu symptoms are always around us, we seem to "catch" them more readily in the winter. When you "catch" something, you grab hold of it and hang on to it. The same is true with a virus.

When we are healthy, our bodies take in viruses all the time, kill them, and expel them. When our immune systems are weaker, we lose some of the ability to deal with those little buggers, and so our bodies hang on to them long enough to let them grow and multiply, and we end up sick. The immune system is weaker in the winter because we do not get as much sunlight for Vitamin D, we eat less fresh foods, and our bodies have to use lots of energy to keep our tissues warm and moist.

Is there something that you can do to remain healthier in the winter? Yes, there is! The best thing to do is to increase your intake of natural substances that support your immune system. Antibacterial substances help your body to kill off the bacteria that could result in infections such as strep throat. Antiviral substances help your body to kill of the viruses that cause cold or flu symptoms. Adaptogenic substances help your body respond to attacks by outside organisms. Antioxidant substances help to clear out toxins that can interfere with your metabolism.

Where can you get these substances in a form that your body can use effectively? From plants!  Many plants contain chemical substances in a form that your body can use to help keep you healthy. The challenge is in knowing which plants to use and how to get them. Lucky for you, Fantastic Foragers can help with that!

Here are some plant-based products that can help keep your body healthy;

Blackseed elixir contains Blackseed (Nigella sativa), Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina), Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

Breathe contains Chickweed (Stellaria media), Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum )

Elderberry super syrup contains Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), Chickweed (Stellaria media), Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), White willow (Salix alba), Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale),

Immuni-tea contains Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), Clover (Trifolium pratense , Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis)

Quell contains Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa ), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus ), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Green tea (Camellia sinensis), Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana), Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), White willow (Salix alba)

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is a powerhouse of prevention.  Pure Vitamin C is water soluble, and has a tangy taste like citrus. It can be added to water or other beverages to make a refreshing drink.

Here are some plant-based products that can help deal with the symptoms if or when you get sick;

Breathe contains Chickweed (Stellaria media), Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum )

Expel contains Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana), Chickweed (Stellaria media), Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra), Star anise (Illicium verum),

Warm awakening contains Assam tea (Camellia sinensis), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Star anise (Illicium verum)