Immune support recipes

“My strategy is to stop the assaults–to reduce the number of factors your immune system has to deal with by cleaning up your diet, healing your gut, lightening your toxic burden…and reducing your overall stress.”     – Amy Myers

                                        

The recipes in this section may help support your immune system. We are always adding more recipes, so check back frequently to see what’s new!

ALOE VERA AND RUBBING ALCOHOL HAND SANITIZER

 

 

About

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.

Ingredients

Directions

  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.

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COCONUT OIL AND OREGANO HAND SANITIZER

 

 

About

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.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Mix together and rub on hands as needed.

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ELDERBERRY SYRUP                                                                                                  

 

 

About

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! 

Ingredients

Note: If possible, use organic ingredients.

 

Directions

      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.

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HERBAL SYRUP: A TASTY HERBAL ADDITION                                            

 

 

About

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!

Materials

Directions

  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.

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HOW TO USE EOs FOR STEAM INHALATION                              

 

 

About

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.

Materials

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

Directions

  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.

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HOW TO USE HERBS FOR STEAM INHALATION                             

 

About

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.

Materials

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

Directions

  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.

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WITCH HAZEL AND EO SANITIZER SPRAY                                

 

 

About

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.

Ingredients

Directions

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

 

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Disclaimer: All information contained herein is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided to diagnose, prevent, or treat any disease, illness, or injured condition for any human or animal, and Mother Nature’s Truths, as well as the author(s), contributor(s), publishers, and owners accept no responsibility for such use. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness, or injury, or who has an animal suffering from such, should consult with their physician or veterinarian. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.