5 of Our Favorite Herbs for Respiratory Support*

Goldenrod

Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) holds a special place in our hearts here at Herb Pharm, as it was one of the first plants that our co-founders, Ed Smith and Sara Katz, learned to identify in the hills around our Certified Organic farms in southern Oregon. (It also became one of our signature colors.)

A member of the Asteraceae or Daisy family, Goldenrod’s bright yellow blooms are easy to spot during late summer and autumn all across North America. This plant has a rich history of use among Native Americans, too.

You’ll find it in Herbs on the Go: Ready for Pollen™ and as a single herb extract.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is a woodland plant with a yellow root that is native to the eastern and central regions of North America from Ontario to Alabama. It also has a long history of use by Native Americans and is a member of the Ranunculaceae or Buttercup family.

Goldenseal is on the list of United Plant Savers At-Risk herbs, so we grow it in our Botanical Sanctuary here on the farm. To preserve wild-growing populations of this threatened plant, we only use cultivated, Certified Organic Goldenseal. Our Goldenseal is dug by hand in the late summer or autumn, then carefully cleaned and dried in the shade before it is thoroughly extracted.

You'll find Goldenseal in Golden Echinacea™, Neutralizing Cordial, Rapid Immune Boost™, Pollen Defense™, and as a single herb extract and an alcohol-free extract.

Horseradish

The same Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) you might eat on a sandwich has been traditionally used to support the respiratory system. (You might have suspected as much if you’ve ever eaten too large of a bite!) The plant’s common name doesn’t refer to an animal. It means “coarse,” to distinguish it from the edible Radishes you might find in a salad, and both types are members of the Brassicaceae or Mustard family. Also known as crucifers, the Brassicaceae also includes Broccoli, Wasabi, Cabbage and Kale.*

Mullein

A field of Mullein in full bloom is quite the sight to behold, as the plant can grow as high as cornstalks — and taller than most adults! A member of the Scrophulariaceae or Figwort family, Mullein waits until its second year to send up its towering stalks with flowers.

The woolly, mucilaginous leaves and yellow flowers of Mullein (Verbascum spp.) are both used in herbalism. Its first recorded use was in ancient Greece, and it was also widely used among Native Americans. The plant’s other common name is Aaron’s Rod but it is known to some as Flannel Leaf or Bunny Ears; names that come from the downy softness of the leaves. You can’t help but want to reach out and touch them.

We use Mullein in our Kids Cough Crusader™ and Mullein Blend.

Thyme

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a member of the Lamiaceae or Mint family. Commonly used in the kitchen, Thyme’s original Greek name has a colorful history. One story is that it was a derivative of a word meaning “to fumigate.” However, it’s unclear whether that’s because it was used as incense or because of its trademark sweet, balsamic fragrance. The other story is that Thyme comes from a word meaning “courage,” a trait it symbolized in ancient and medieval history, when it was considered to be an invigorating herb.*

Thyme is found in several of our products, including Herbal Respiratory Relief™, Lung Expectorant™, Calm Breathing™, Kids Cough Crusader™ and Kids Immune Avenger™.