It looks like Fall is right around the corner and with that and school starting, germs and illnesses are on the rise again. It is the season to boost your immune system so you can enjoy all the pumpkin spice, apple cider and holiday gatherings to their full extent!
I get asked all the time what I keep in my medicine cabinet and today I decided to share! I’m no doctor (I know, you are all surprised by this) so take my advice with a grain of salt, do your own research or just use what you feel comfortable with. This is what I keep on hand for my family and what I know works for us, but it’s not medical advice.
This is what gets us through the season:
Elderberry Syrup
Anyone else a HUGE Elderberry fan?
There are a couple things in our natural health arsenal and this is a big one! You can buy it pretty much anywhere nowadays (I try to stick with organic if I buy it) or make your own.
This Wellness Mama elderberry syrup recipe, given daily, is a great way to boost the immune system naturally and protect against cold and flu.
Here is the recipe I make:
🍯Ingredients🍯
2/3 cup dried black elderberries (I use these), or 1 1/3 cups fresh or frozen
3½ cups water
2 TBSP fresh or dried ginger root (optional)
1 tsp cinnamon powder (optional)
½ tsp cloves or clove powder (optional)
1 cup raw honey ~ if you can find a good, local honey that is best! And use organic ingredients if you can!
📖Instructions 📖
Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
Remove from heat and let cool until it is cool enough to be handled.
Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil.
Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
Discard the elderberries and let the liquid cool to lukewarm.
When it is no longer hot, add the honey and stir well.
When the honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a quart sized mason jar or 16 ounce glass bottle of some kind ~ I use mason jars!
You just made homemade elderberry syrup! Store in the fridge and take daily for its immune boosting properties. Some sources recommend taking only during the week and not on the weekends to boost immunity.
Instant Pot option: Put all ingredients in pot, seal lid, and set manually for 9 minutes on high pressure. Vent pressure and strain.
👉🏻Standard dose is ½ tsp – 1 tsp for kids and ½ – 1 tablespoon for adults. If the flu does strike, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear.
You can also make this recipe into gummies if you would prefer it to syrup!
SOOOOO MANY BENEFITS ~ Here is the full article for you – click here.
Want to read more about the benefits of Elderberry Syrup? Click here.
Oscillococcinum and Cold Calm:
As soon as we start feeling run down or have other flu-like symptoms (as in respiratory flu, not stomach flu), such as headaches, body aches, chills and fever, we start taking Oscillococcinum. And if we are feeling cold-like symptoms, we start Cold Calm. The instructions say to take a full tube as one dose but, anyone familiar with homeopathy will tell you that whether you take the full tube or a few granules for each doses, you get the same amount of the remedy, so save yourself the money and only take a few granules for each dose.
Echinacea
I feel like echinacea has had a rough reputation in the last few years but, it works for us so I keep sharing! If someone in my house is sick, I start taking daily echinacea capsules as prevention. If I feel a cold or the flu coming, I take Super Echinacea in liquid form. I use this one and the same brand also carries a kids version. I take it several times a day when I’m feeling sick and I feel like it really helps with the duration and severity of the symptoms.
Essential Oils
We diffuse and apply topically (diluted of course) when anyone is under the weather. A blend from Pure Haven called Five Defense when illnesses are making their rounds. This helps boost the immune system. Another blend from Pure Haven called Be Well if someone has respiratory issues. peppermint when someone has the stomach flu. Diluted oregano around the ear (never in the ear) when someone has an earache (check out Mullein Garlic Oil for inside the ear). And my absolute favorite blend… I make it myself and just love it for any respiratory illnesses, sore throat, flu and cold: rosemary, frankincense and lemon. You can diffuse this or dilute it and apply it on your throat, over your sinuses, on your spine and under your feet. That is one I always have mixed and ready to go. I love the scent and it always helps.
As with any essential oils, make sure what you are using is safe for the age of your kids. Not every oil is suitable for every age. For example, you might be surprised to hear that Eucalyptus and Peppermint are not safe to use with young children. Do your research or schedule an Essential Oil 101 Class with me!
Probiotics
A good daily probiotics for everyone in the house was life changing for the incidence of stomach flu and illnesses in general in our house. We had a good one but, the company was bought out by a big “mainstream” conglomerate so now we are on the hunt for another good, clean brand.
And because sometimes, despite your best effort, you still feel under the weather, let me share this last recipe with you.
Cure All Comfort Drink
🍯Ingredients🍯
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 Teaspoons honey
1 Teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger (or a few peeled pieces)
1 dose of Super Echinacea
A pinch of cayenne (optional)
📖Instructions 📖
Combine all the ingredients in a cup of boiling water and stir until the honey is dissolved. Let sit for 1 minute before drinking. Enjoy!!!
Now that you have all my secrets, here’s to a happy and healthy Fall!!!
Catherine
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.