You could say I’m “anti-antibiotics” although we’ve certainly used them when the situation warranted it! My preference is to live and eat in a way that supports your immune system so you get sick less often and we generally turn to natural treatments first.
I’ve written before about the top herbs for cold and flu season and how to treat your family at home. We’ve certainly come a long way since I first started researching more natural health. Today we have a couple of new immune-boosting herbal recipes to add to your natural medicine cabinet! -Katie
This is a guest post from Carol Little, R.H. of Studio Botanica.
There are so many wonderful, healthy herbal recipes that are easy for anyone to make. Especially in the winter months which we refer to as “cold and flu season” it’s a good idea to have some immune-boosting home remedies on hand.
Today I’m sharing with you two of my go-to recipes – both are healthy additions to your winter wellness strategy. I hope you’ll try them and enjoy them both!
RELATED: Beekeepers Naturals Propolis Review.
Using Herbs to Boost Your Immune System
There’s a lot to be said for being prepared when that pesky cold virus shows up.
The first symptom of a virus is often a raspy or sore throat and immediate treatment is key! It’s important to have helpful herbs on hand to reverse the hold of the virus and kick it to the curb as soon as possible.
These easy, homemade herbal lozenges come together quickly and store well. Honey is wonderful for sore throats and coughs.
What you Need to Know About Slippery Elm
- It is endangered so it needs to be purchased from a good source.
- Safe to use regularly. Dissolve a slippery elm lozenge anytime it’s needed.
- Take at least 2 lozenges daily for the duration of the virus, more if needed.
- Very soothing and calming to mucosa thus easing sore throats.
- Often able to restore the intestinal lining and neutralize harmful invaders that may be hanging around the intestines.
Homemade Slippery Elm Throat Lozenges
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 36 lozenges
- Category: Herbal Remedy
- Method: No bake
Instructions
- Reserve about a tablespoon of slippery elm bark powder for step 4.
- Add the rest of the slippery elm to a small bowl and stir in the honey until you reach the consistency of pie crust dough. The exact amount of each ingredient you need will depend on the viscosity of your honey,
- Use your hands to roll small balls using about 1/2 a teaspoon of the mixture for each one.
- Roll the lozenges in a little more slippery elm powder to keep them from sticking together.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool area.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lozenge
- Calories: 9
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.5 g
If you are up for making more herbal remedies like this one, I also have a ‘cough candy’ recipe made with horehound. This is a classic traditional herbal recipe that has been made by herbalists for centuries.
If you’d like to find something ready made, Bio-Botanical Research has come out with a throat spray – BiocidinTS.
Immune Boosting Adaptogenic Herbal Snack
Who doesn’t love to play in the kitchen and make delicious and healthy no-bake balls? This is a great recipe to make with your kids (or have them make for you by (teaching your kids how to cook!)
The ingredients mix up very easily and these are so yummy! The recipe is very flexible and can be adapted for almost any dietary preference or allergies.
No time to source these specific herbs? That’s just fine. Use what you have on hand or substitute other herbs and spices. The herbs can even be omitted entirely and the recipe becomes a delicious no-bake healthy treat.
What you Need to Know About Astragulus
- It is an adaptogen and helps your body deal with stress.
- It is an adrenal tonic and strengthens the adrenal glands.
- It is an antiviral.
- It stimulates the immune system.
- It is an immune tonic and helps elevate a chronically compromised immune system.
- You can read more in this in-depth look at astragalus.
What you Need to Know About Echinacea
- It is hypoallergenic.
- It is antibacterial and antiviral.
- It is an immune stimulant.
- It can be used for any kind of infectious condition.
- It increases the number and activity of white blood cells.
- It is helpful for lymphatic conditions with or without an infection.
What you Need to Know About Ginger
- It is antibacterial.
- It calms nausea, tummy irritation and motion sickness, and aids in digestion.
- It is an analgesic so it can help with pain relief.
- It is anti-inflammatory.
Immune-Boosting No-Bake Herbal Energy Balls
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24-30 balls
- Category: Snack
- Method: No bake
Ingredients
- 3 c. rolled oats
- 2 c. your favorite nut butter (use sesame or sunbutter for nut-free)
- 11/2 c. raw honey
- 1/4 c. cocoa powder (use the code STEWARDSHIP for 10% off at that site!)
- 1/2 ounce astragalus root powder
- 1/2 ounce echinacea root powder
- 1/2 ounce ginger root powder
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut flakes, lightly toasted
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine oats, nut butter, and raw honey.
- Add cocoa (use the code STEWARDSHIP for 10% off at that site!) and powdered herbs. This mixture should be thick enough to form into bite-sized balls.
- Roll into balls using about 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture for each one and then roll the balls in coconut flakes or more cocoa.
- Store in airtight containers between layers of wax paper and keep refrigerated for up to a week.
Notes
For different flavor variations you can add finely chopped candied ginger, dried cranberries, raisins or chopped dates.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 balls
- Calories: 191
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 3 mg
- Fat: 3.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 gm
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Wish You Knew All the Answers to Keep Your Family Healthy?
How about a crash course?
I’d love to send you a 7-day “Quick Start Guide” email mini-course to give you Health Agency! When something goes wrong in your family, YOU can be the agent of healing and not allllllways have to call a doctor for every little thing.
Imagine this email series as a virtual chat over the backyard fence with your own neighbor, a wise older mom who’s raising 4 kids with intention, trying to avoid unnecessary medication and being kind to the earth.
Looking forward to connecting to help you learn EXACTLY what you need to know to stock your natural remedies “medicine cabinet,” deal with normal childhood ailments, and even the dreaded, “What’s that on my skin?” issue! 🙂
Carol Little, R.H. is a traditional registered herbalist in Toronto, Canada, where she has a private practice working primarily with women. She has a unique system for helping her clients integrate holistic healing choices into their lives while helping to move towards optimum health.
Carol writes an herb-infused blog filled with seasonal tidbits, helpful hints and ways to embrace herbs and healing foods. Visit her site: Studio Botanica. She offers a seasonal newsletter with additional recipes and ideas for living a herbalicious life!
Carol has written 2 popular ebooks: Cold + Flu Season ~ Are YOU Ready? and Herbal Teas for Winter Health.
She is a past board member and current professional member of the Ontario Herbalists Association. She writes a chapter each year in the “Herb of the Year” book for the International Herb Association and is a contributing author for the delightful “Home Herbalist Magazine.”
A few years ago I ended up needing some extensive dental work done. The cause was sleeping with cough drops in my mouth. I was desperate for something to calm my deep cough that worsened when I laid down. Ever since I have wanted to make some cough drops out of slippery elm bark and xylitol. I haven’t gotten brave enough to play around with my expensive ingredients, although they certainly aren’t doing any good sitting in the pantry!
Can you freeze the immune boosting balls?
Those immune boosting no-bake energy balls look like a great recipe for kids! I can’t wait to have all the ingredients ready to try them!
I hope you and your kids enjoy them! Let us know how it goes when you make them!