Try These cold remedies at home
As a full time stay at home mom, there are certain expectations you may have of yourself. Feeding the family three meals a day (and snacks) might be one of these expectations. Maybe you play and of course have a chore list that never ends. But what happens when someone gets sick? The normal routine gets thrown out the window while your focus shifts to getting that one (or few) family members well again. Now you can be better prepared with this collection of cold remedies at home for the stay at home mom. You’re busy momma, let’s get to it!
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Certainly, you want to be ready to fight back when illness strikes your home. However, whenever possible, I’m sure you also want to prepare in advance to keep you family’s immune systems strong so that they never (or at least rarely) get sick to the point that they are down for the count. No worries, I’ve snuck in a few immune boosting remedies as well, such as elderberry syrup.
My partner on this post, Sarah, has written a great post about the benefits of elderberry syrup over on her facebook page. Give it a read at Holistic Health with Sarah: Back to the Basics Living. I love partnering with people like Sarah! When you surround yourself with like-minded people, you can really help each other to learn and grow in ways not possible when trying to do it all on your own. In the near future, I will be offering a few of Sarah’s herbal products for sale right here on my site! Make sure you get on my email list here so you’ll be the first to know when they become available.
the magic of elderberry syrup
Since I mentioned it already, let’s first discuss elderberry syrup. There are many suppliers available if you wanted to purchase elderberry syrup already bottled and ready to go but that’s not why you’re here. You’re here because you want to be more closely connected to the foods and products you feed your family.
The reason I list elderberry syrup first is that it is all around fabulous at helping your body fight off viruses that cause cold and flu. Elderberries are especially effective at helping to prevent or mitigate infection from the influenza virus. The elderberry contains reproduction disabling compounds that prevent a virus from injecting its own DNA into our human cells. The more human cells we can prevent from turning into virus factories, the healthier we will be.
Elderberries also stimulate immune surveillance by activating B and T cells throughout the lymphatic system. Thanks to this process, elderberry syrup is also effective against other types of viruses, including the common cold.
Elderberry syrup is super easy to make with the DIY Elderberry Syrup kits sold by my friend Sarah.
I mentioned that homemade elderberry syrup is magic and here’s why; if I call out to my children “it’s time for elderberry syrup”…they come running to get theirs and ask if they can have more once they have sucked and slurped the last drop of their dose. What other all-around health creating medicine can make that claim?
cough syrup with ingredients you can see (and pronounce)
Another one of my favorite kits to have on hand when sickness strikes is the Cough Syrup. This is another one that tastes so good, you’re children will request it. As the name implies, cough syrup is intended to be used Unlike most commercially available cough syrups designed to mask symptoms. The cough syrup kit you can purchase from Sarah is created from herbs designed to support your body through the symptoms of illness. According to Sarah, “Herbs can help support and relieve coughs in a variety of ways. When you are considering a natural cough syrup, it is ideal to use a combination of herbs with expectorant properties, herbs with stimulating and relaxing properties, herbs with demulcent properties and herbs with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. You will get a combination of these herbs in your Cough Syrup Kit. As a result, you will end up with a cough syrup that both supports the effectiveness of the cough while, at the same time, eases discomfort.” (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2676461865770770&id=956870524396588)
Imagine how good it will feel the next time you or your child develops a cold and you are able to reach for a natural herbal remedy to support the immune response rather than suppress it. Now that’s comforting.
The cough syrup kit features herbs such as elderberries (yep, they’re that good), mullein leaf, licorice root, wild cherry bark, ginger root, cinnamon, and more.
Comment below or email me at brandi@throughthekitchen.com with any questions.
Everyone’s Favorite Immune Supporting Vitamin – Vitamin C
Yes, we even have a kit to make your own Vitamin C Drops. These are fun to make and will last a long time if you’re like me and forget to take them more than you want to admit.
One of the main reasons you might consider making your own Vitamin C Drops is that this kit uses whole food vitamin C rather than ascorbic acid. Why does this matter? I’m glad you asked…
“Vitamins are not individual molecular compounds. They are biological “complexes”. They are multi-step biochemical interactions whose action is dependent upon a number of variables within the biological terrain. Vitamin activity only takes place when all conditions are met within the environment, and when all CO-FACTORS and components of the ENTIRE vitamin complex are present and working together. Vitamins cannot be isolated from their complexes and still perform their specific life functions within the cells. When isolated into “artificial” commercial forms, like ascorbic acid, these purified “synthetics” act as drugs in the body (Note: may be a great option in acute situations). They are no longer vitamins, and to call them such is inaccurate.”
“Most sources equate vitamin C with ascorbic acid, as though they were the same thing. THEY’RE NOT!!! Ascorbic acid is an isolate, a fraction, a distillate of naturally occurring vitamin C. In addition to ascorbic acid, vitamin C must include rutin, bioflavonoids, Factor K, Factor J, Factor P, tyrosinase, ascorbinogen, and other components. In addition, mineral co-factors must be available in proper amounts. If any of these parts are missing, there is no vitamin C activity, very little vitamin C activity, and/or the body will draw on its own stores to make up the differences, so that the whole vitamin may be present.” (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2941317285951892&id=956870524396588)
Many things act in synergy together. Vitamins and minerals in the body are no different. Taken in part, they are likely to be much less effective. Whenever possible, support your body with foods, vitamins, and minerals in their whole form so you can enjoy their full benefit.
3 best cold remedies at home for cold and flu season
There you have my top 3 remedies for the stay at home mom to use during cold and flu season. Certainly, there are other remedies that can come in handy at all times of the year. Do you have a favorite that I missed? Let me know what you’re go to is in the comments.
looking for more home remedies?
I know you want even more information on where you can get into more home remedies. I found this post by Our Gabled Home that walks you through the process of making deliciously nourishing bone broth at home! You know, there’s a reason your grandma always made you chicken soup when you were sick as a child right?
Bone broth is tastey, nutritious, and versatile in the kitchen. Plus, it helps reduce kitchen waste so you can make sure yours an even more functional kitchen.
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Did you let your children help you make buttermilk at home? It’s great to include them when it makes sense but don’t stress about always keeping them entertained. Read my post It’s OK to Let Kids Be Bored for more.
links in this post
Holistic Health with Sarah – Back to Basics Living: Cough Syrup Kit: https://www.facebook.com/page/956870524396588/search/?q=cough%20syrup
Cultures For Health: http://www.culturesforhealth.com/?a_aid=61d2e751639f7
Our Gabled Home – How to Make Bone Broth: https://ourgabledhome.com/how-to-make-bone-broth/
Very insightful post! We have all been there when the routines get totally mixed up when a sickness shows up at the door. How great to have these natural remedies ready to fight at sun a time. I love that God already gave us everything that we need to restore health to our bodies. That way, they don’t have to be bogged down by a whole array of other chemicals to process.
Thank you so much for sharing these tips. I am very sick for the first time this season. Going to try elderberry today. Thank you!
Feel better soon!
Really helpful tips 🙂 I’ve always wanted to try making my own elderberry syrup and that kit looks so handy!
It is super handy and very easy to make.
Great post! It’s so much better to try something natural before bringing out the “big guns” (if even necessary).