Flu and COVID and RSV - oh my!
It’s rough out there y’all. Flu and COVID and RSV, oh my! I pride myself on being a low key unofficial expert on holistic wellness for my family. In fact one of my first positions working with other mamas was as a brand new mom in 2009 as a co-leader of the Holistic Moms Network in Los Angeles. I learned so much about all the ways we can naturally heal our little ones and ourselves and how so much of this wisdom and knowledge is within us through our lineage but often forgotten. I want to share some of my go-to’s! Hopefully something here will help your fam this season.
One of my favorite Mindful Parenting tools is imagining the world through our kids' eyes and specifically how they see us, their parents. How do I appear to them? What do I sound like? One of the many images I am sure they will carry with them throughout their lives is me as “witch-doctor Mama”?! I am in no way above Western medicine, but I am so grateful for all the holistic tools I call upon first. Our medicine cabinet is a balance of Eastern/Western and there are so many home remedies I love to turn to especially during the Winter months.
Palo Santo - which translates to “holy wood” - is one of my favorites. Did you know as an ancient form of smudging, it’s not just used for clearing negative energy (similar to sage) but also for healing with its antibacterial/antiseptic properties? Can’t. Get. Enough. I have a little Palo Santo station on my kitchen counter and start each day by lighting a stick and then dancing around with its warm and cozy aromatic smoke through the house, circling it around my babes’ heads. This has become ritual for our fam. It brings a sense of peace and renewal.
Here are some more of my favorite immune boosters and cold/flu remedies:
Elderberry (gummies are readily available but getting your hands on some locally made syrup or even making a batch yourself is even better)
Oil of Oregano (not to be ingested under 7 years old but you can put a few drops on the bottom of your little ones' feet and then cover them with socks)
Apple Cider Vinegar (I like to mix it with honey, lemon and hot water)
Raw/Local Honey
A cut onion next to the bed overnight (crazy sounding right?! It brings everything up and out faster. Think of what happens when you chop an onion.)
Some recent additions that I’m now hooked on are wet socks and fire cider.
Wet Socks: Wearing ice cold wet socks (covered by dry wool ones) to bed is like a magic trick for treating colds and fevers and boosting the immune system - especially for kids. It’s seriously like a magic trick! My kids now ask for it if they’re not feeling well.
Start with warm feet, either after a warm bath or a warm foot soak. *
Soak the cotton socks in ice cold water. Some people will even put their wet, cotton socks into the freezer for 5 minutes before putting them on. (You just have to try it.)
When the socks are wet and cold, wring them out well and then put them on.
Then put the pair of dry wool socks on top of the cotton socks. Please note, you do not wet the wool socks – they must be dry!
Go to sleep.
And that’s it! As you are sleeping, your body does the healing work.
*instructions from Live Healthy mag
Fire Cider: Fire Cider is an herbal folk remedy that has warming and wellness-supporting ingredients is an especially pleasant and easy way to boost natural health processes, stimulate digestion, and raise your internal thermostat on cold days. You can take this by the spoonful, drizzle over a salad or stirfry or add extra honey and water for a sweet warm tea your kids will enjoy.
This recipe is taken from Mountain Rose Herbs.
Ingredients
1 medium organic onion, chopped
10 cloves of organic garlic, crushed or chopped
2 organic jalapeno peppers, chopped
Zest and juice from 1 organic lemon
1/2 cup fresh grated organic ginger root (or organic ginger root powder)
1/2 cup fresh grated organic horseradish root (or organic horseradish powder)
1 Tbsp. organic turmeric powder
1/4 tsp. organic cayenne powder
2 Tbsp. of dried rosemary leaves
organic apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup of raw, local honey, or to taste
Directions
Prepare your roots, fruits, and herbs and place them in a quart-sized glass jar. If you've never grated fresh horseradish, be prepared for a powerful sinus-opening experience!
Pour the apple cider vinegar in the jar until all of the ingredients are covered and the vinegar reaches the jar's top.
Use a piece of natural parchment paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal, or a plastic lid if you have one. Shake well.
Store in a dark, cool place for a month and remember to shake daily.
After one month, use cheesecloth to strain out the pulp, pouring the vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquidy goodness as you can from the pulp while straining.
Next comes the honey. Add and stir until incorporated.
Taste your cider and add more honey until you reach the desired sweetness.
Stay well, friends! And let us know if you try any of these!