3. A Simple “At-Home” Protocol for the Flu and Other Respiratory Issues

That is all there is to it – a very simple way to make an ointment for minor wounds. If you experience a minor cut, scratch, or abrasion, dab a little bit of this ointment on the wound a couple of times a day until it is healed. This ointment has a shelf life of about five years. On a side note, for those who do not like the smell of lemon or lavender, you can substitute either one, or both. Lavender can be replaced with chamomile essential oil, and lemon can be replaced with fir essential oil.

3. A Simple “At-Home” Protocol for the

Flu and Other Respiratory Issues

Viruses are a part of life that humans have had to live with for centuries. Many viruses can affect us year-round, but during the winter months, flu and other respiratory viruses seem to get worse and cause more issues. There are many reasons for this. First, the lack of sunlight causes a deficiency in vitamin D. Vitamin D is necessary to keep our immune systems strong. Make sure that you are taking a vitamin D supplement during the darker months. In addition to less sunlight, our bodies become bogged down by unhealthy eating during all those holidays and lack of exercise since many of us become cooped up indoors due to cooler temperatures. Try to remain active and eat healthy, whole foods as much as possible. If and when you do happen to come down with a respiratory virus, you can take steps to help your body heal and recover quickly. You can even do this in the comfort of your own home! The remedies below have been used to strengthen the immune system and body for centuries. In addition, many of the ingredients just might already be in your pantry.

1. Old-Fashioned Fire Cider

Nobody is completely sure where the term “fire cider” came from, but herbalists around the globe have been preparing this special concoction for many years to fight various viruses. Fire cider recipes differ between herbalists and countries, but many require the use of spicy plants that stimulate the immune system and speed up recovery. Fire Cider Recipe For this recipe, you will need: • Glass jar • Jar rim lid • Cheesecloth • Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar • Three to four jalapenos • Two to three cayenne peppers • Chopped onion • Four to five chopped garlic cloves • Chopped horseradish • A few sprigs of rosemary • A few sprigs of thyme • A few sprigs of oregano • Chopped ginger • Chopped turmeric.

#1. Place all the chopped plant ingredients in a glass jar. #2. Completely cover the plant material in apple cider vinegar. #3. Place cheesecloth over the top and then secure it on with the jar rim lid. #4. Let this sit in a cool, dark place for four weeks before straining it out. Bottle the liquid and take a one ounce shot at the onset of a virus and every few hours as needed for stimulating the immune system.

2. Killing a Cough

If you just can’t seem to shake a cough, give this recipe a try. This recipe is made from common household items and can be whipped up fast if you need relief. If a cough is keeping you up at night, follow the steps below: Quick Cough Relief Syrup For this recipe, you will need: • Small glass • Apple cider vinegar • Raw honey or molasses • Ground ginger • Ground cinnamon • Lemon juice. #1. Add one half teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to the glass. #2. Add one teaspoon of raw honey or molasses to the glass. #3. Add one fourth teaspoon of ground ginger to the glass. #4. Add one fourth teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the glass. #5. Squeeze the juice of a half a lemon into the glass. #6. Stir everything together well. #7. Drink this mixture, but gargle it a little in the back of your throat as you swallow it. This will help to coat and soothe the throat and prevent coughing fits.

3. Homemade Onion Cough Syrup

Onion and honey are two wonderful ingredients from nature. Both of these have strong antiinflammatory properties and are great as a home remedy for fighting both colds and the flu. Besides having strong anti-inflammatory properties, honey and onion are also good for your immune system. So, at the first sign of flu, grab this onion syrup and suppress those viruses that are trying to make you ill. Onions are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immune stimulating. For this recipe, you will need: • Glass Jar with non-metal lid (as the honey has an acidic pH and reacts with metallic surfaces) • Onion to fit in the container • Raw Honey (preferably local). #1. Layer honey and fresh cut onion slices in a jar. #2. Make sure the onion slices are fully covered in honey. #3. Seal the jar tightly, and let it sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 days. #4. If you want to use it sooner, you can start using it within 12 hours.

#5. Ready to use! Simply eat a spoonful of this syrup as needed to soothe your cough. Store in the refrigerator. Note: You can strain out the onions once the syrup is done, but it is not necessary.

4. Medicinal Pickled Garlic

Garlic is a wonderful ingredient from nature. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties and it is great as a home remedy for fighting both colds and the flu. Besides having strong anti-inflammatory properties, garlic is also good for the immune system. So, at the first sign of flu, grab this pickled garlic, or even garlic clove, and suppress those viruses that are trying to make you ill. Garlic is filled with allicin, a compound known to have anti-microbial properties. Apple cider vinegar contains prebiotic pectin, an essential for good digestion, which helps foster the growth of probiotics in the gut. Raw honey is also a prebiotic food that may promote healthy gut flora. How to Prepare Medicinal Pickled Garlic For this recipe, you will need: • Peeled garlic cloves • 1 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar (Raw, organic apple cider vinegar is ideal) • 1 cup of Raw Local Honey. #1. Fill a jar with the cloves (Leave 1-inch space from the top of the jar) and pour apple cider vinegar until they are completely covered. #2. You may prefer to experiment by adding a little honey to customize the flavor. #3. Put the lid on and close it. Leave the jar at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, then move it to a cellar or other cold, dark storage. #4. You may need to “burp” the lids a few times over the first couple of days to release any built-up pressure in the jars. You can wait at least 2 to 3 weeks before eating, but you can try it in order to discover your preferred taste. You can eat a clove of the garlic whenever you wish. In case of a cold or flu you can eat about 3-5 cloves a day.

5. What Happens If You Put Garlic in Honey?

Garlic and honey are two wonderful ingredients from nature. Both of these have strong antiinflammatory properties and are great as a home remedy for fighting both colds and the flu. Besides having strong anti-inflammatory properties, honey and garlic are also good for your immune system. So, at the first sign of flu, grab this garlic-infused honey, or even garlic clove, and suppress those viruses that are trying to make you ill. Garlic is filled with allicin, a compound known to have anti-microbial properties. Fermented Honey Garlic Recipe For this recipe, you will need 1 cup garlic cloves (peeled) and 1 ½ cups honey (I used acacia).

#1. Peel the garlic and place it into a clean jar. #2. Drizzle the honey over the garlic. You can pour the honey directly over the garlic or drizzle in by using the wooden honey spoon. Do not use a metal spoon as the honey has an acidic pH and reacts with metallic surfaces. #3. Once the garlic is covered with the honey, place a lid on the jar. #4. Make sure the cloves are covered in honey. You can flip the closed jar upside down and place it in a dark place. Within a few days, the fermentation will begin. Bubbles will appear. This is the first sign your garlic is ready to consume. (Of course, you can wait a few days more or even weeks, until the honey is thinned down and garlic drops to the bottom of the jar).

6. The Surprisingly Soothing Power of Eggs

Have you ever sipped on a glass of eggnog and thought “This will surely soothe my sore throat!”? Yeah, me neither. Apparently, we should think again. This concoction of egg yolk, honey, and milk, served while still warm, can be a real saver. Egg and Honey Drink Recipe

#1. Heat 2 cups of whole milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly. #2. Separate 1 egg, pour the yolk into a bowl and gently beat it with 2 teaspoons honey. #3. Put an ounce or so of hot milk into the egg mixture and whisk well. This tempers the yolk and prevents it from scrambling in the pot. Pour the egg mixture into the pot and whisk for about 30 seconds, until frothy. #4. Pour the final results into a cup and sprinkle some cinnamon if you want. Drink it while it is still warm. Your throat will thank you for it.

7. Homemade Onion and Walnuts Syrup

Onion contains allicin, a compound that's a strong, natural antibiotic. It can also reduce inflammation and loosen phlegm, making cough more productive. Meanwhile, the outer skins of onion provide an excellent source of vitamins A, C, E, and numerous antioxidants. The skins of onions are also a rich source of flavonoids, particularly quercetin, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Walnuts are also very healthy and nutritious. They contain a large amount of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and Omega 3. This onion and walnuts syrup is simple, cheap, easy to do and it can be consumed to strengthen the immune system and help alleviate cough symptoms and sore throat. For this recipe, you will need: • 5 yellow onions; • 3 whole walnuts; • 2 cups of water (16.6 oz.). #1. Wash the onions and cut them in four. #2. Wash the nuts and crush them gently, so they remain almost whole.