The winter season is on and you catch a cough or develop a nagging cold; maybe you have a sore throat, well, the list of minor problems is many, right? Well, what do you do in those cases? Do you tend to simply pop a pill?
So, what if I told you that there are some natural remedies that can help you with these problems in no time!
You can make your own winter got-o first aid kit! Yes, it is that easy and I’ll show you how. Check out the recipes below.
1. Valerian Tincture
This tincture helps with insomnia and can relax the mind and body.
To make at home:
Fill a medium-sized jar (about a 5-to-6-inch jar) 3/4th full with the Valerian root (after cleaning/washing the dirt off the root and drying it well). Then, top it up with 50% alcohol of choice (preferably vodka). Screw on the lid and let it rest for 4 to 6 weeks, shaking it once every few days.
To use, strain out the tincture and transfer into a clean bottle.
2. Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup can help boost bodily immunity and helps with colds and flu.
To make at home:
- ¾ cup dried elderberries
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup raw honey
- 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
- 2 to 4 whole cloves
(Or 1 tsp clove powder) - 1 cinnamon stick
(Or 1 tsp dried cinnamon powder)
Method:
Into a pot, add in the water, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and the elderberries and let it come to a boil. Once it bubbles, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 45 minutes, while the quantity reduces to half.
Turn off the heat, let the liquid cool, squeeze and strain, add in the raw honey, mix and transfer into a clean dry bottle and its ready to use.
3. Honey Garlic
Honey garlic supports immunity and combats infections.
To make at home:
Into a mason jar, add in 1 cup of honey and 1 cup of whole garlic cloves (peeled). Let the garlic be submerged into the honey. Screw on the lid and let it rest for about a week, before you can use it. The garlic can continue to ferment.
4. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil helps with sinus congestion, by steam inhalation.
To make at home:
You will need:
- 1 cup carrier oil (virgin olive oil, coconut or almond)
- ¼ cup of fresh eucalyptus leaves
(Wash it, dry and keep it ready) - or 10 drop of eucalyptus oil
- and 5 drop of peppermint oil.
Method:
Into a small pot, add in the oil and the fresh eucalyptus leaves and let it simmer on low (after bubbling) for about 30 minutes. Then, turn off the heat and let it rest (lid on) for about 6 hours to steep.
Once done, strain and transfer into a clean dry bottle and its ready to use.
5. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea relieves indigestion and promotes relaxation. It has natural sedative properties that can promote better sleep, as it induces sleep if consumed before bed time.
To make it at home:
You will need:
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp organic dried chamomile flowers
- Honey to taste
Method:
Into a heating pot, add in the water and dried chamomile flowers and let it come to a boil. Cover the pot with a lid and then let it simmer for 5 to 6 minutes on slow heat. Then turn off the flame, strain, add in the honey, stir well and it is ready to consume.
6. Arnica Cream
This arnica cream can help relieve sore muscles and can promote quicker healing for bruises.
To make it at home:
You will need:
- ½ tbsp beeswax
- ½ tbsp vegetable glycerin
- ¼ cup shea butter
- ¼ cup arnica infused almond oil
- A couple of drops of essential oil (of choice, optional)
Method: Melt the beeswax and shea butter, along with the arnica infused almond oil, on low heat and once fully melted and mixed, toss it into the freezer for 10 to 20 minutes, until it thickens a little. Next, add in the glycerin and whip well, until it forms a cream-like texture. Store in a clean container and its ready to use.