Homemade Products: Healthy Home Remedies

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that most colds/flu are viral and no pill can help anyway. These home remedies are to help make you feel more comfortable as you struggle through the aches and pains of winter. They are not meant to replace a doctors advice.


Winter oh yes Winter. The house is stuffy and so is your nose. The cost of health care is rising and so is the products we need to get well. I know my husband and my cobra health care has finally run out and we just can not afford to go to the doctor. There are coupons out there for buying cough syrup, decongestants and more but this year I purchased some simple staples to keep on hand to see if we could heal ourselves more organically. Keep in mind that if you are on medicines as I am you don't want to mix other chemicals with your meds (store bought stuff) so I am always willing to try something new. I also HATE taking any more pills. I take enough in a day as it is. So here is to your health and never actually needing to make any of these products.

Essential oils are expansive and you want to make sure you use real oils. My friend Sara told me about a great online site that I ordered from and I now have a lot of my oils on hand for cleaning and wellness for a fraction of the price at the store. Oils should be stored in cool, dry, place and they last a long time. I also got my oils, Shae butter, cocoa butter, aloe Vera and more from here.

Electrolyte Drink for Diarrhea: If diarrhea persist for more than 24 hours seek a doctor. 1 cup apple juice, 2 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, juice from a lemon or lime. In a pitcher combine apple juice, water, salt and lemon. Store in Fridge. Drink throughout day to maintain hydration and balance of electrolytes.

Chest Rub for Colds/Bronchitis: 30 drops of massage or oil (almond, jojoba, avocado) 5-10 drops of eucalyptus or wintergreen essential oil. In small bowl mix the carrier oil with the essential oil and rub on your chest. Cover your chest with a cotton towel or flannel and place a heating pad or hot water bottle on top of flannel and snuggle under blankets.


Another Chest Rub: 12 drops eucalyptus oil, 8 drops essential oil, 4 drops peppermint oil, 2 tablespoons almond or olive oil. In small dish, mix all. Rub on chest and cover with a warm, damp flannel (warm in microwave) and leave on until warmth fades. Don't burn yourself!!

Cough Suppressant Medicine: 1 large onion finely diced, 2 cloves garlic finely diced, 2 tablespoons diced fresh ginger and honey. In small saucepan, combine onion, garlic and ginger. Add honey to cover and cook for 30min on very low heat. Mash together and let cool. Store in clean jar with tight lid in fridge. Take one teaspoon every 15 to 30 mins.

Steam cough Relief: 4 cups water, 2 drops thyme oil, 4 drops eucalyptus oil and 2 drops hyssop essential oil. In saucepan over medium heat get almost boiling, pour into a bowl and add oils, hold your head over the bowl about 8 inches above water and drape a towel over your head. Keep eyes closed and breath deeply until water cools.

Gargle Solution: This old fashioned gargle will make your throat feel much better and costs little. 2 heaping tablespoons brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1 quart warm water. Combine and shake well, gargle with 1/2 cup as often as needed.

Herbal Inhalant: 1/4-1/2 teaspoons rock salt, 2-4 drops peppermint oil, 2-4 drops eucalyptus oil, 2-4 drops wintergreen oil. Put the rock salt in bottle of small glass jar or bottle and add oils. Carry with you and sniff as needed to open clogged nasal passages. (I usually don't have rock salt but I would probably just use sea salt to see what would happen) Can you imagine what this might look like if you pull up to someone driving and sniffing? LOL...Bet it works well.

Decongestant Salve: Give that blue/green bottle a run for its money. 4 ounces olive oil, 1/2 once of each peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, 1/2 wintergreen oil, 1/2 grated beeswax and 4 drops tincture of benzoin. In the micro using 30 sec intervals heat oils, add beeswax and tincture of benzoin and stir until melted. Pour into clean jar with tight top and allow to cool. Put under your nose or chest as needed keep in cool place for up to two weeks.

Drops for Earache: If your kids have ear problems keep this on hand. Doctors don't like to give medicine for earaches anymore so try this one. 1 clove garlic crushed, 2 tablespoons fresh or dried mullein flower 1/2 cup almond or olive oil. Combine garlic and mullein flower then cover with the oil and seal the top, shake to blend. Store in cool, dark place and shake daily. Make sure herbs are under the oil for two weeks then strain and store in fridge. To treat earache let the oil come to room temp or run under warm water and dispense 2-3 drops with eye dropper, massage in ear to help the oil make its way thru the ear canal.

Fever Spray: Spraying pulse points (wrists, behind knees, jaw) with this soothing solution will bring down a fever quicker then any pill. It feels good too. 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/4 cup witch hazel, 3 drops peppermint oil, 2 drops lavender essential oil. In clean spray bottle combine, shake and chill in fridge. Spray on pulse points. Avoid mouth/eyes.