Food IS medicine, eat well and nourish your body to maximize immune function, reduce illness and shorten duration of colds and flu. Home remedies are the perfect complement to your preventative routine, keeping you and your family well this season.
YOUR FOUNDATION: Building a strong foundation is one of the core principles of prevention.
- Eat for your health: seasonal eating (winter) with a Chinese Medicine approach
- Add whole food supplements (ie: carrot root for Vit C, Cod Liver oil Vit A and D)
- Consume fermented foods to promote gut health and boost immune function.
- Gelatin and bone broth are great for the gut too.
THE EXTRA ESSENTIALS: A few of our favorite home remedies, all from ingredients you likely have in your pantry.
Cinnamon-Coconut Oil-Honey Elixir
Cinnamon relieves congestion, stimulates circulation and serves as an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent. Coconut oil and raw honey (honey that has not been pasteurized) have powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and can strengthen the immune system.
- Mix equal parts coconut oil and raw honey together in an 8-ounce jar (Be sure your coconut oil is slightly warm so it will mix well)
- Add 1 tbsp cinnamon
Enjoy a spoonful/day during times of cold or when you need a little extra immune boost.
Honey-Lemon-Ginger Tea
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, raw honey is also very soothing for the throat. Ginger is very helpful for stomach upset while being warming in nature and lemons are high in vitamin C, potassium and are anti-bacterial.
- Fill a 16-ounce jar with sliced organic lemons (peels can be loaded with chemical residue, be sure your lemons are organic)
- Add approximately 2-4 tbsp chopped fresh ginger
- Fill the jar with raw honey and store in refrigerator
- Scoop 1-3 tbsp into hot water and drink like a tea.
“Vapo-Rub”
Rub it on your chest, soles of the feet(add warm socks) or under your nose and go to bed!
- Melt 1/2 cup of coconut oil on the stovetop (buy organic at Outpost/Whole Foods)
- Add 40 drops camphor essential oil
- Add 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- Pour into your jar and store either in the refrigerator or in a cabinet
Recipes courtesy of Oh Lardy!
Elderberry Syrup– what we call “a spoonful of sugar…” (to tune of Mary Poppins) in my house.
Take 1Tbsp for adults or 1tsp for children of this elixer daily during cold and flu season. At the onset of a cold, take 1tsp ever 2-3hrs. You can even use it as a pancake syrup or sweetener in your yogurt or favorite tea. It is super delicious and kids LOVE it.
- 1/2 cup dried organic Elderberries (I buy mine here)
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup raw local honey
- 1 organic Cinnamon stick, 3 organic Cloves, and organic Ginger (optional)
Place berries, water, and spices in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes- reducing the liquid by half. Smash the berries to release remaining juice and strain the mixture using a sieve, pressing with a wooden spoon to get all of the juice out. Allow liquid to cool and stir in honey. Will last for 2-3 months stored in the fridge.
Recipe courtesy of Mountin Rose Herbs
Sore Throat Soother
To help alleviate throat pain that comes with strep and other bacterial infections this season, gargle with a sage, salt and lemon concoction.The sage slows the growth of bacteria while the salt and lemon reduces the irritation and soothes your throat.
- Mix 1 tsp of salt with juice from half a lemon and a half-cup of sage tea
Recipe courtesy of Dr. Oz.
Essential Oils
The Family Physician kit by doTERRA is an must-have for the medicine cabinet and available for purchase at 8branches. The kit includes tips for using the essential oils and 10 – 5 ml bottles; including Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Melaleuca, Oregano, Frankincense, Deep Blue, Breathe, Digestzen, and On Guard.
Watch for our upcoming classes at 8branches. We discuss using essential oils for wellness and teach acupressure to boost the immune system and much more.