Home remedies you can use, to help get through winter

For Sinus and Chest Congestion:

Old Fashioned Remedy- Vinegar Steam

Need sturdy glass bowl, Apple Cider Vinegar, cayenne pepper, hot water

Pour 1/2 C Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother) in the bowl

add 1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne

Pour in 2-3 cups freshly boiled water in

Drape heavy towel over head and the bowl- Keep head under there 15 minutes breathing in the steam. (come out as needed to get a breath of fresh air & blow nose)

You can do this 3-6 x a day as needed

Oldie but a Goodie:

Lemon, honey and Ginger Throat soother

this is for colds, coughs and sore throats, it's also can help to boost the immune system

This syrup is an easy to make, natural treatment. You can keep a jar of this in your pantry or refrigerator and use it any time you start to feel that little tickle in your throat. There are people that swear by taking a spoonful of this honey, lemon, ginger mixture everyday will keep colds away. You can keep this mix indefinitely. Honey and lemon are both natural preservatives after all. They've found intact jars of honey in the pyramids after thousands of years. If you completely forget that this is in your pantry, after a while it turns into the most delicious marmalade.

Lemon: is a rich source of Vitamin C which is an antioxidant that helps strengthen the immune system. It also contains other nutrients like potassium and B vitamins. Lemon juice has also been shown to have antibacterial properties against certain strains of bacteria.

Honey: has been used for centuries and is also an antioxidant. Honey does have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Ginger: has anti inflammatory properties that help to reduce swelling in your throat so you can breathe easier while also soothing pain caused by a cough or congestion. The spicy flavor helps clear up mucus and phlegm as well. When combined together these ingredients make a natural remedy that can give relief for colds and sore throats.

Need: Pint size glass jar with a lid, cutting board, knife, fresh lemons, fresh ginger root, honey

1. Start by washing and slicing the lemons. You can take out the seeds but it doesn't matter. Pack about half the lemons into a clean pint jar.

2. When you're halfway through filling the jar with lemons, grate in about 1 inch piece of fresh ginger root. Finish filling with the lemon slices.

3. Now, slowly pour in the honey, giving it time to settle between all the lemon slices. Put the lid on the jar and let it sit for about 24 hours before you start using it.

   
   

   Most people stir a spoonful of the mixture into a cup of boiling water, let it steep for a few minutes, then strain it and sip it. I actually prefer it as a hot lemon ginger tea. But, if you are really feeling under the weather, adding a little spoonful of whisky won't hurt a thing.

   
   

   Storage Information: Store this homemade cough syrup mixture in a cool dark place like a pantry or kitchen cabinet. It doesn't require refrigeration unless you just want to. Whether stored in the fridge or at room temperature, it keeps indefinitely.

   
   

Easy herbal tea hack when you don't have syrup above already made:

Any of your favorite herbal tea bags, like the lemon ginger tea bag, add a thick slice of fresh lemon, add some fresh sliced ginger, add 1 tsp of organic honey, fill your cup with hot water. Then you can keep refilling your cup all day long.

Four Thieves Fire Cider Vinegar- it boosts the immune system and helps guard against winter colds and flu.

Get a large Kilner jar or similar glass container with a lid. The main ingredients are sliced onion, garlic cloves- about 1/2 dozen, ginger root-roughly chopped, cayenne pepper, horseradish root if you can get it, otherwise you can buy it finely chopped and dried. Turmeric root roughly chopped. Herbs, thyme, sage, rosemary and a few bay leaves if you have any. Plus, a cinnamon stick or two. And you can add a few thin slices of oranges and lemons.

Put all the ingredients in the jar so they fill it up to around a couple inches from the top. Then pour over the apple cider vinegar, making sure to cover all the ingredients. Also, if the top is metal, put a round of grease proof paper in between the lid and the jar to stop the acid from the vinegar corroding the metal. Plastic screw top is ideal. Leave to "brew" in a cool, dark place for about a month. You can give it a shake occasionally. Then after a month or so, strain off the liquid from the ingredients and bottle. Take a tablespoon every morning- you can mix it with water or fruit juice and add a little honey to sweeten or you can include it in a salad dressing.

Have fun with this** Not everything has to be exact and nothing is perfect.

There are typically a few core ingredients in fire cider. Horseradish, onion, chili peppers, garlic, ginger, turmeric, herbs and citrus, covered in apple cider vinegar.

Do you have to follow this to a T? No. Can you add more things to adjust flavor and add health benefits? Yes!! Have fun with this