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In this post I will share three holistic remedies for kids in winter. These natural remedies can help prevent illness and will help in recovering from a cold or the flu. They are simple to make and your kids will actually love them!
If you have toddlers you know that getting them to take something like “medicine” when they aren’t feeling well can be a struggle and easily turn into a battle. If you’re like me, you have worked hard in the kitchen to create homemade remedies for your child and then they take one look at it and respond with something like “ew, that’s gross” or “no way I’m taking that”. This winter, I have gotten creative so that I can help my kiddos to stay well and avoid that battle. In this post I will share three natural ways you can keep your toddler healthy in the winter. Actually, each of these remedies are great for both children AND adults.
1: Fermented Garlic Honey
The first, and I believe one of the easiest, things we can make to support our children’s bodies during the cold and flu season is fermented garlic in a raw, (preferably) local honey. These two ingredients are both known to help boost the immune and fight off infection. I have recently learned just how healthy garlic is for our bodies with its ant-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. Fermenting the garlic helps to enhance its properties and makes it a great probiotic.
For this DIY, you simply:
1. Peel and crush fresh organic garlic cloves.
2. Place them in the bottom of a glass jar.
3. Pour the raw honey over the top. That’s it!
Leave the lid sit loosely on the top of the jar so it can release the natural gasses during the fermentation process. Occasionally tighten the lid and flip the jar upside down to make sure the honey is coating all the garlic.
After a few days to a week, you will begin to see bubbles forming in the jar and it will be ready to use. It will continue to ferment as times passes on. I have had mine on my counter for about two months now. You can then give your kiddos a spoonful of the honey each morning or night (or sneak it in a recipe). You can also eat a garlic clove if you can tolerate the taste. Either way, you will reap the natural benefits of both the raw honey and garlic to help fight off or prevent a cold during the winter season.
2: Garlic Infused Oil for Ear Ache
The second natural way to keep kids well in winter is to make another simple garlic infusion, specifically for ear aches.
This time, you:
1. On low-medium heat, warm a high quality olive oil on your stove.
2. Then add the crushed organic garlic cloves to infuse the oil, for approximately 20 minutes.
3. Once the oil warms up and becomes fragrant, separate the garlic from the oil and let the oil cool off.
4. Once it has cooled off, but still slightly warm, take a dropper (or use the finger over the top of a straw method) and drip a drop or two of the oil into the ear while your child is laying on their side. Let sit for at least 20 minutes.
Both of my children had complained recently about their ears hurting within the same week. So, I quickly made this after our chiropractor recommended it. Both times, it relieved the pain almost instantly and my kiddos relaxed and fell asleep (this was around bedtime). I was amazed! They say to lay there for about 20 minutes before sitting back up to let the oil run out. You can continue this method once an hour if you don’t see a difference after the first attempt.
Do take note that you should not pour the oil into your ear if it is ruptured. Consult a doctor first if you aren’t sure.
3: Fire Cider Gummies
The third holistic remedy I made for my kids this winter was fire cider gummies.
First, what is fire cider?
Fire cider, or tonic, is a wellness drink made with raw apple cider vinegar and infused with many different herbs, roots, fruits, and veggies. This is a powerhouse blend of medicinal plants that can help aid in digestion, fight off infections, and clear out sinuses, among other health benefits. I will have a detailed post on fire cider coming soon. But for now, you can see what I put in my fire cider at the end of this post.
This does have to be made in advance so it can sit at least three weeks before straining. However, you may be able to find someone local who sells it and skip this step. It is a very strong smelling and tasting drink that can be pretty intense for a small child. So instead of trying to force my kids to drink some, I turned it into a more mild tasting, fun-shaped gummy. To do this, you will need a high quality grass fed gelatin powder. I ordered mine from amazon and it has lasted me a really long time. You can find it here.
To make the gummies you simply:
1. Take 1/2 cup of your fire cider and slowly warm it up over the stovetop.
2. While cider is heating up, take 2 tablespoons of your gelatin powder and add it to a cup of organic orange juice and let sit on the counter for a few minutes. You can replace the orange juice with any organic juice your children typically like.
3. Once the cider is pretty warm, pour the mixture of gelatin and juice into the pan and continue to heat and stir so the gelatin can fully dissolve.
4. After dissolved, pour into a silicone mold and place in the fridge for it to settle. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
And there you have it, homemade fire cider gummies! I store them in a glass jar in my fridge and allow my toddlers to take one or two a day to stay well during the winter season.
Fire Cider Ingredients:
Fresh and organic ingredients are always the best. There are also other variations of this recipe. This is just what I chose to add in mine. You don’t have to be exact on measurements. Using a half gallon glass jar, add:
-Cinnamon Sticks
-Horseradish
– Oregano
-Rosemary
– Thyme
-Ginger Root
-Lemons
-Orange and Orange Peel
-Garlic
-Red Onion
-Black Pepper
-Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (the base, add to the jar last over ingredients)
-Raw Local Honey (After the tonic sits for a few weeks, you will strain the ingredients out of the raw apple cider and can then add honey to sweeten it.)
I hope you found these holistic remedies for kids in winter helpful and you are encouraged to give them a try! Biggest tip, always keep garlic on hand and don’t underestimate the power of nature and what foods can do for your body!
Michelle Braungardt says
Thanks for the information! I love the added photos and the gummies are an awesome idea for kids!