With how much sanitizer we’re using these days, are your hands feeling dry and painful? No surprise, considering there’s a whole lot of ingredients that I either can’t pronounce or have numbers in the name.

This homemade option is great because aloe vera is a skin-soother and is also  antimicrobial. Rubbing alcohol is a disinfectant, antimicrobial, and antiseptic,  but it can make your skin quite dry.

• 2/3 cup of 99% rubbing alcohol 
• 1/3 cup pure aloe vera gel
• 50 drops essential oils of your choice (optional)

1. Mix in a small bowl until combined.
2. Add essential oil (if using) after you’ve mixed first two ingredients.
3. Mix essential oils in, then store in a small mason jar or squeeze bottle.

Hand sanitizers are a hot commodity these days, and can be found in almost every store you go to, at the ends of at least two aisles. One of the problems with these sanitizers is that they kill all bacteria, including the good microbes, which is one of the ways we get antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or “super bugs”.  It also weakens our immune systems, which makes this one of those vicious cycles.

This easy DIY hand sanitizer works really well. The oregano has disinfectant and antibacterial properties. The coconut oil is antibacterial, anti-aging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. Oh, and it moisturizes and soothes the skin.

• 10 drops oregano essential oil
• 2 tbsp fractionated coconut oil 
• Container to hold sanitizer

1. Mix together and rub on hands as needed.

The recipe below is an easy way to make your own elderberry syrup. If you want to buy pre-made syrup, check out our Immune Support products page for the brands we love! 

Want to learn more about elderberry syrup and why it’s so amazing? Click here to read our article about it! 

Note: If possible, use organic ingredients.

• • • 3 1/2 cups filtered water
    • 2/3 cup dried elderberries (or 1 1/3 cup fresh or frozen)
    • 2 tablespoons grated ginger (or 1 teaspoon dried ginger)
    • 1 tsp cinnamon (or 1 whole stick)
    • 1/2 tsp ground cloves (or 2-3 whole cloves)
    • 1 cup raw honey (added after cooking and cooling)

• • 1. Put the water, elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a saucepan. (Do NOT put in honey. When heated, honey’s enzymes, minerals and nutrients are either weakened or destroyed,  having no healing qualities any more.)
    2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover for 45 minutes to an hour, until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
    3. Remove from heat and leave it to cool until it can be handled.
    4. Mash the berries carefully.
    5. Pour through a strainer into a glass bowl or jar.
    6. Discard the elderberries and let cool until lukewarm.
    7. When it is no longer hot, add the honey.
    8. Once the honey is sufficiently mixed in, store in a mason jar in the fridge.

An herbal syrup is a deliciously healthy addition to your kitchen. It can be added to carbonated water for an herbal soda, poured onto waffles, oatmeal, yogurt, even ice cream! Some frequently used herbs include: elderberry, rosemary, lavender, basil, mint, and lemon verbena.

I like to use honey as my sweetner because of its natural healing qualities, including being antimicrobial, antiseptic, full of antioxidants, and a cough suppressant. You should most definitely make this for your little ones or those of us who don’t enjoy the bitter taste of some helpful herbs!

The more comfortable you are using herbs, the more you can experiment with using multiple flavors and other additions!

• 1/2-1 cup dried herbs
• 4 cups water
• 1-2 cups honey or sugar
• Saucepan

1. Place the herbs and water into the saucepan and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half (30-60 minutes).
2. Strain out the herbs and return the liquid to the pan.
3. Add the sugar or honey. (If using honey, do not put back on heat. The heat will ruin the medicinal benefits in the honey.)
4. Once cooled to room temperature, pour liquid into dry, sterilized bottles.
5. Label, including the name, ingredients, and date.
6. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Essential oils can be amazing when you’re congested and want to clear it up quickly (and pamper yourself a little bit in the process!). However, you should take care when using essential oils with steam inhalation, as they can damage the respiratory tract if used improperly. Remember that the essential oil will disappear as vapor very quickly so you will need to add 1-2 drops more of each essential oil when the oil vapor is gone. Do not add too much essential oil. Add sparingly.

• 4-6 quart pot
• Stove
• Table
• Towel or blanket
• Pot holder
• Essential oil of your choice (peppermint and wintergreen are both great options)

1. Pour 2-4 quarts of water into the pot.
2. Bring the water to a boil.
3. Take the water off the heat.
4. Prepare an area at a table where the head can be positioned above the pot without getting burnt by the pot.
5. Place the hot pot on the table, using a potholder to protect the table.
6. Drape a blanket over the head and pot, creating a vapor cocoon.
7. Sit over the pot with the head directly over the pot of hot water and inside the blanket cocoon.
8. Add 1-2 drops of essential oil to the pot.
9. Breathe in the vapors. Keep your eyes closed so they don’t get irritated.

NOTE: If the vapor cocoon gets too hot or intense:

• Remove head from under the blanket.
• Rest a moment.
• Return when ready.

Herbs are a fantastic way to support your immune system and help your body when you’re congested. Any herb with volatile, antimicrobial essential oils, or herb capable of opening the nasal passages can be used in a steam inhalation for respiratory congestion. Usually an herb that contains menthol is used as menthol is key to opening up the nose and sinuses. The opening of the passageway via a steam inhalation is due to both the steam of the water and the menthol in the herb. Two herbs with menthol that are easy to find and inexpensive are peppermint and wintergreen. The menthol in these herbs is what gives it that refreshing brisk coolness to our mouth with ingestion or when applied on our skin. In addition to herbs with menthol, I also use a strong antimicrobial/anti-fungal herb to be added to the water such as thyme, or oregano.
Peppermint, oregano and thyme are generally easy to procure if you don’t already have them growing outside your door.

• 4-6 quart pot
• Stove
• Table
• Towel or blanket
• Pot holder
• Fresh or dried herbs

1. Pour 2-4 quarts of water into the pot.
2. Bring the water to a boil.
3. Take the water off the heat.
4. Prepare an area at a table where the head can be positioned above the pot without getting burnt by the pot.
5. Place the hot pot on the table, using a potholder to protect the table.
6. Drape a blanket over the head and pot, creating a vapor cocoon.
7. Sit over the pot with the head directly over the pot of hot water and inside the blanket cocoon.
8. Add 1-2 drops of essential oil to the pot.
9. Breathe in the vapors. Keep your eyes closed so they don’t get irritated.

NOTE: If the vapor cocoon gets too hot or intense:

• Remove head from under the blanket.
• Rest a moment.
• Return when ready.

The witch hazel in this easy hand sanitizer has powerful antiseptic and antibacterial properties and is also useful as a skin toner! Combine the witch hazel with your favorite essential oils (some good choices include lavender and tea tree, geranium, or lemongrass) for an effective hand sanitizer.

• 3 oz. witch hazel
• 2 tbsp pure aloe vera
• 15-20 drops of an essential oil (lavender and tea tree, geranium, lemongrass)
• Spray bottle

1. Mix the ingredients together in a glass spray bottle.
2. Spray as needed!