Its that time of year!  Wondering why it’s so quite on this homestead…sick kids.

Sooo… I thought I would share a couple of my favorite home remedies and supplements to have on hand when the sick bug visits.

Emergen- C is a great way to combat bad colds, and equally great to take on a daily basis to ward off colds. I drink mine the second I feel a sore throat coming on!

Elderberry syrup is wonderful to have all made up in your fridge, for boosting immunity, and really helps a bad cough. This little jewel of a berry is known for effectively fighting Influenza A and Influenza B. Try making this syrup at home!

Cod liver oil (flavored) my kids call it fishy oil. Cod liver really combats chest congestion and bad coughs. I’ve been told to hit it hard during a bad cold, just don’t take it for prolonged times. Don’t take my word for go check it out.

Lemon & Honey Tea- 2tsp. honey and 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice is my favorite soothing tea for sore throats. I never really measure, but I figured I had to tell you something. J

Mustard Plaster. This is by far one of my favorites. This forgotten find works, it always turns my boat around. Check it out HERE. I always add a thin layer of olive oil on my chest to prevent burning.

Last but not least, the hot water bottle. I could not get by with this tool on our off-grid homestead. I really believe every home should have several of these handy tools. Sickness aches and pains, cold beds. A simple wonder!

I’ve missed you all, and dearly love your comments. We have a lot of new news coming this week… so please stay tuned.

Our Family uses lots of garlic, honey, apple cider vinegar, lemons, brewers yeast and herbs. We make home remedies and take these natural sources of food and herbs to strengthen and fight off common elements. Here is one of the many recipes we use:

        Elderberry Syrup- from Mountain Rose Herbs.com

     1 cup fresh or frozen elderberries -or- 1/2 cup dried elderberries.
    1-2 cinnamon stick
     5 cloves ( whole )
     1 T. fresh ginger, minced or grated
     2 cups of water
 
     Boil & Simmer 20-30 min. Reduce by half.
     1 cup of raw honey - add to the strained elderberry juice. Store for a couple of weeks. 
 

 How to use:
 1 T. every hour if sick; 1 T. a day as a preventative.
  
  I call this purple gold! It is wonderful for colds, sore throats, and the flu. I double this recipe because we have a big family and it seems we all get colds at the same time.

 My mom and I pick our elderberries in the late summer and freeze them. They are easier to remove from the stems when frozen. You can order dried ones if you do not have any fresh or frozen, but this coming summer try to pick or glean some to save money.

Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey is another favorite. Just simply add a heaping teaspoon of honey in a glass of water, then add 2 teaspoons of pure apple cider vinegar
( with the mother) and sip slowly.

Apple Cider Vinegar has high potassium and powerful enzymes that are so good for you. It also helps control weight and helps relieve chronic fatigue. There is so much I could say, but take the time to read a good book on apple cider vinegar, you will be amazed.

 Watch for our next giveaway on Making Herbs Simple dvd!