Can you believe it's nearly Fall equinox? And as if I wasn’t already feeling low enough about Summer’s end, the season change brought me a throat virus.

My throat is like my early-warning signal. When I start getting run down, a sore throat is always the first symptom. If I pay attention to it (start going to bed on time, make sure I’m eating well, drink herbal tea with elderberry syrup, take a hot soak in the tub), it usually resolves without becoming anything more than a sore throat.

But if I don’t pay attention and let it go for a couple days… Of course it worsens and I end up where I am today: headache, sick stomach, and a really sore throat with both tonsils swollen and sore.

Change of season is a time many people get sick, so it’s a good idea to keep a couple go-to remedies on hand. I mentioned one of my favorites: elderberry syrup. 

What's not to love about elderberry? Not only delicious, elderberry syrup is a proven cold and flu remedy and is usually pretty easy to find in stores if you don’t make your own (quick tip: you can substitute maple syrup for honey in syrup recipes).

Two other favorite plant friends of mine for this time of year are Calendula and St. Johnswort. Both are helpful for many different complaints, including cold and flu, so I try to always have them around in various forms (dried, tinctured, infused oil, salves and creams).

For sore throat:

• Calendula is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Its tea can be used as a gargle to reduce inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, which will ease a sore throat. Tincture can be substituted if you don’t have Calendula flowers. Add 2 teaspoons tincture to 1 cup of warm water.

• St. Johnswort with its antiviral, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties is another great herb tea to gargle with, and is said to be especially useful for chronic sore throat. Again, substitute tincture if you don’t have the dried plant.

Another favorite remedy, tub tea: Add relaxing Lavender or Chamomile to a Calendula + St. Johnswort blend, then treat yourself to a nice, long soak. You'll be feeling better in no time.