Gardening for Health

Support Your Immune System with a Garden 

By Maria Price 

With COVID surging in our state, many people are tired and fearful of whatever’s next. Vaccination is very important and it’s also good to have something in your arsenal that can help your body fight colds and flu.  

I always turn to the garden for its healing powers.  

Make plans now to grow an immunity garden this year. You can grow it in a pot or have a plot devoted to your immunity garden. 

Elderberry is a scientifically proven antiviral. Sambucus canadensis is our native elderberry, you’ve probably heard of it. A syrup made of its black berries can prevent the flu virus from adhering to your throat. Find them at Beaver Creek Cottage Gardens (410-551-5084), Logee’s Fruiting, Rare and Tropical Plants (860-774-8038), and One Green World (877-353-4028). Sambucus nigra, the European version, was the plant originally studied for its antiviral properties and it is also available through One Green World. The berries are delicious made into syrup. 

Another plant for your immunity garden should be Echinacea purpurea or Echinacea angustifolia, also known as purple coneflowers. Echinacea acts as an immunostimulant and many studies have supported its antiviral and antimicrobial effects. Native Americans used coneflowers to treat respiratory tract infections and inflammatory conditions. The flower heads can be cut and dried to use for tea. Dig up the mature plant after two years and divide the roots. Save the older roots for tea or tincture and replant the fresh roots. Before drying the older roots, wash and cut them into small pieces. Boil a tablespoon in a quart of water and reduce it gently by half. 

Sage is another herb to keep in your immunity garden. Its beautiful, silvery gray leaves are antibacterial, antifungal and reduce inflammation. Of course, sage is also delicious used in poultry dishes. 

Yarrow, or Achillea millefolium, is anti-inflammatory and helps bring down fevers by encouraging perspiration. Add yarrow to peppermint, which contains menthol and acts as a decongestant. 

The various thymes are also good for your immunity garden. French, English, or lemon thyme can be a lovely tumbling herb in a container or use it as a border in your plot. Thymes act as an expectorant and can eliminate mucus.  

All of these plants are hardy perennials and survive our winters well. If you plant them in a pot, bring the container indoors in January or February and place in a sunny window. You’ll have a medicine chest in a pot.