People are always interested in learning to use herbs to ease the discomfort (and sometimes abject woe) that comes along with colds, the flu, and other viruses that make the rounds in winter months. One of most important considerations is to learn this information in advance (it's a heck of a lot harder to formulate a plan of action when you and/or your household is in the middle of sick). To this end, herbalist jim mcdonald is offering a series of online video classes on the holistic use of herbs for colds, flus, fevers, coughs, congestion and supporting the body's natural defenses.  Extensive handouts are included.

There are 5 videos in the series:
-~-~~-~-~~-~-~--~~-~-~~~-~-~~-~-~-~~~-~-~-~~-~--~-

holistic perspectives in fever

This is a video recording of a live stream from Thursday, February 6, 2020.

Most people are surprised to discover that the conventional medical opinion on treating fever is actually quite similar to the holistic: fever aids the immune process, fights the infection, and usually doesn't need to be lowered using medicines. However, despite this stated philosophy, in practice the exact opposite is usually recommended in doctors offices and at hospitals. We'll explore the fever response, and how herbs have traditionally been used to support this process, with special attention given to understanding which herbs to choose for a given individual and situation.

-~-~~-~-~~-~-~--~~-~-~~~-~-~~-~-~-~~~-~-~-~~-~--~-

strengthening the castle: building core immunity

This is a video recording of a live stream from
Thursday, February 13, 2020.

While perhaps the most popular and sought after herbal preparations are those that "fight colds and flus" and kill germs, viruses, bacteria, and the like, the first question we should ask with regards to immunity is "How strong is my immune system ~before~ an infection?" Numerous factors, from inadequate nutrition to lack of exercise to ongoing stress can weaken immune functions and responses, and in such cases, using herbal antimicrobials is only compensating for deficiency. We'll talk about lifestyle changes, important nutrients and immune tonics to strengthen core immune function.
-~-~~-~-~~-~-~--~~-~-~~~-~-~~-~-~-~~~-~-~-~~-~--~-

defending the castle: stimulating peripheral immunity

This is a video recording of a live stream from
Thursday, February  20,  2020.

A number of herbs have been shown to stimulate immune defenses, but they are commonly used and recommended "shotgun style": just mix them all together and hope that one of them works with what you've got; it's also not uncommon that they're taken in forms of dosages less likely to be effective. In most cases, individual herbs have specific niches in which they excel in, and in some cases, situations they're not especially appropriate in. jim will talk about herbal antibacterials, antivirals, immune stimulants and explain how to tell which herbs to use when.

-~-~~-~-~~-~-~--~~-~-~~~-~-~~-~-~-~~~-~-~-~~-~--~-

hack, sputter wheeze... herbs to help you cough

This is a video recording of a live stream from
Thursday, February  27, 2020.

Though many people associate coughing with sickness, it is actually an important part of your body's fight against sickness. Additionally, it's one of the best indicators to tell you how your body is doing. Whether a cough is dry, damp, spasmodic, hot or cold (yep, coughs can be hot or cold) can indicate larger patterns in the body and help us know which herbs to choose to help us cough more effectively, so that coughing resolves because we don't need to anymore, as opposed to stopping because we suppressed it. We'll talk about teas, tinctures, syrups, steams and (even) smokes...

-~-~~-~-~~-~-~--~~-~-~~~-~-~~-~-~-~~~-~-~-~~-~--~-
oh, my head... herbs for upper respiratory woe

This is now a video recording of a live stream from
Thursday, March  5, 2020.

Allergies, upper respiratory infections and chronic inflammation of the sinuses are common maladies that many people struggle with. While most conventional treatment involve antibiotics and suppressive drugs, many common herbs can effectively restore health and tone to the sinuses and ease discomfort in addition to fighting both bacterial and frequently overlooked fungal infections. Herbalist jim mcdonald will elaborate on how to use an energetic approach to choose among these plants, and discuss other therapies that can give relief to sinu-suffering.

These classes will be available to watch online until December 31, 2025.  Downloadable PDF class notes are yours to keep forever.

All online classes are non-refundable.  View refund policy here.