We’ve asked Karyn Schwartz, owner of the Sugarpill apothecary on E Pine, to contribute to CHS about health and Hill living on a semi-regular basis. If you’re an expert and want to share with the community in a recurring CHS column, we’d like to hear from you.

Basil, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, savory, thyme, parsley, sage, fennel seed, garlic, onion, maybe a little bit of black pepper and/or red chili flakes…

Even the shittiest brands of Italian Seasoning –- the one spice blend you are guaranteed to find at even the most bleak of grocery stores, contains some combination of these herbs and spices. You can make your own, of course, but the point of this month’s article is not to discuss the gourmet variations of this classic blend, nor to provide culinary inspiration.

The reason I bring up Italian Seasoning is that it’s good medicine, and you can find it almost anywhere.

Say you are on a road trip, or on tour with your band, or visiting an old friend who felt the need to move to a remote part of a large state, and you are stuck in the middle what seems to be nowhere, without access to any of the things you normally use to keep yourself well. And then you start to feel a sore throat coming on, or you are in the verge of a sinus infection, or you just cut your hand on the bottle opener nailed to the inside of the bathroom door in your crappy motel… what to do? Make a tea out of an entire bottle of Italian Seasoning, strain it out, and either drink it or soak your wound in it (hopefully you will have found the kind without the red chili flakes).

Here’s a brief introduction to the medicine chest that’s probably already in your kitchen spice rack:

Basil: One of my very favorite herbs for the melancholy that comes with feeling under the weather, or just living in a dark, cold place. Like many of the green Mediterranean cooking herbs, it is strongly antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, good for your cardiovascular system, and it carries the energy of the sun that it thrives on.

Rosemary: Known for it’s ability to improve both circulation and brain function, including memory, rosemary is also a fabulous digestive aid, a strong ally to the respiratory and immune systems, and one of my favorite energetic insulators for times when life seems overwhelming and the heart is heavy from loss or disappointment.

Oregano, Marjoram, Savory & Thyme: Any or all of these can be used to make a steam for sinus congestion, and are useful internally and externally to help with all kinds of bacterial, viral or fungal infections.

Parsley: A wonderful source of vitamin C and beta-carotene, both of which play huge roles in the immune system’s ability to fight off infections and heal inflamed tissue. Parsley is also very supportive to kidney function and is a rich source of iron.

Sage: One of the best herbs I know for dealing with sore throats. On cold winter nights, sage tea with lemon and honey can be the perfect cold prevention brew, and just so happens to also be a fabulous remedy for hot flashes, if that is something keeping you up at night, my lady friends… (though, beware, nursing moms: sage will often dry up your milk supply.)

Fennel Seed: Found in many of the best digestion remedies, including “gripe water” for colicky babies, fennel seed helps to settle an upset stomach, dispel gas and bloating and ease nausea. Ginger and Peppermint, fresh or dried, are also helpful for these discomforts.

Garlic & Onions: There’s no end of traditional remedies using these members of the Allium family. With strong affinities to the immune, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, garlic and onions are utilized in every way imaginable, including soups and teas, infused honeys and vinegars, compresses, poultices, salves, infused oil put into the ear, feet placed in socks filled with them, even full body immersions for the worst of febrile diseases.

PS. Lemon & Honey: Really, who doesn’t love a hot toddy when they are sick? Especially with a little whiskey before bedtime…