Posted by Les Mauvaises Herbes
At the same time last year, I caught the worst cold of my life. I was totally unprepared!
To prevent that from happening again, I've put together a small list of our favorite remedies to better prepare my defenses against potential viruses and respiratory infections.
Let's welcome winter with a smile!
This column was originally written in partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation for Lifestyle and Company.
Fire Cider (How to Ward Off Winter Illnesses)
Fire cider, well-known in herbalism, is used to combat winter colds and flu and maintain good overall health. This recipe (adapted from a recipe in Rosemary Gladary's book Medicinal Herbs) is highly adaptable: you can add your favorite medicinal foods and make it your own. It will quickly become a must-have in your natural medicine cabinet!
- Estelle
Préparation
20 min
Conservation
6 mois
Rendement
1 L
Echinacea Glycerite for Children's Health
This echinacea glycerite recipe is perfect for little ones, but also loved by adults for its sweet taste and effectiveness! To learn more about using echinacea, check out my article below.
- Estelle
Préparation
4 semaines
Conservation
6-12 mois
Rendement
500 ml
Elderberry Gummies for Kids and Grown-Ups
A fun way to incorporate our winter syrup blend into your preventative care routine is to make sugar-free gummies with no refined sugar or preservatives, packed with the power of 6 anti-infectious, emollient, and fortifying plants that help prevent and relieve seasonal infections.
Préparation
1h30
Conservation
1 semaine au réfrigérateur
Rendement
250 ml
Plantain cough syrup
In traditional herbal medicine, plantain is used to relieve respiratory ailments and mucous membrane inflammation. This cough syrup gently soothes sore throats. In addition to being very effective, it tastes delightful! It almost makes you want to catch a cold.
Préparation
15 min
Conservation
2 semaines au frigo
Rendement
env. 125 ml
Cold Season Bath Bombs
These comforting bath bombs feature the decongestant power of ravintsara essential oil to relieve stuffy and difficult breathing, or simply for the pleasure of feeling like you're in a spa at home.
Préparation
20 min
Conservation
6 mois
Rendement
6 à 7 bombes
Decongestant ointment for babies and children
This decongestant ointment recipe for babies and children, with only 3 ingredients, always helps my little one in winter and is literally a godsend for clearing the airways of any little sprout. Plus, it literally smells like CANDY.
- Audrey
Préparation
20 min
Conservation
6 mois et +
Rendement
125 ml
Fir & Black Spruce Decongestant Ointment
When I was a little girl with a bad cold, my parents would rub my chest and back with that famous camphor ointment, the one in the blue jar, you know the one. Here's a natural version, free of petroleum jelly (yuck!) and made from our magnificent local resources!
- Audrey
Préparation
15 min
Conservation
12 mois
Rendement
env. 80 ml
Menthol balm - sinuses & inflammation
Wild mint essential oil (Mentha arvensis) is the mint essential oil richest in menthol, a powerful anti-inflammatory, anesthetic, and decongestant. This balm relieves congested sinuses, sore muscles, joint pain and acute inflammation, insect bites, headaches and migraines, swollen feet and heavy legs! It covers it all.
Préparation
15 min
Conservation
6 à 12 mois
Rendement
100 ml
Medicinal conifer honey
Winter is energy-intensive for the body, which has to expend energy on staying warm and performing its usual functions correctly, which can make it more vulnerable to infections. Here's a recipe with antiseptic properties that stimulates blood circulation and warms the body! Less cold, fewer bacteria. I'm thrilled!
- Alexandra (Clotilde du balai)
Préparation
30 min
Conservation
indéfinie
Rendement
variable
