The Sorta Crunchy Mama

Vitamin C

This is probably what everyone thinks of taking when they begin feeling under the weather. But it is so much more than your best friend during an illness! Vitamin C promotes collagen production (think skin), supports healthy eyes and vision, and protects against free-radical damage due to its antioxidant properties.

We start taking vitamin C at the first sign of sickness or even when someone else is sick in our house. I like to be proactive when those wonderful germs begin circulating the household. My favorite brands that can be found at most local grocery stores or health food stores are Nature’s Way, Now, and Nordic Naturals. If you’re wanting a more whole food supplement for vitamin C, there are a couple of options: Acerola Powder, Immune-Aid, Liquid Vitamin C (for kids), Raw Vitamin C.

Lastly, I used to be a heavy user of Emergen-C before realizing the first ingredient was fructose, then maltodextrin (some have a third ingredient of sugar!), and some flavors even add caramel coloring (suppressing a gasp over here). Sufficient-C is a wonderful alternative that still gives you that high dose shot of vitamin C you’re looking for but with clean ingredients! Win-win.

*I want to note*: While vitamin C is water soluble, taking high doses for long periods of time is not encouraged. Over supplementation can cause digestive issues, such as diarrhea.

Elderberry

Elderberry has a long history of being a commonly used medicinal plant. It’s most notably used to treat cold and flu symptoms, and it serves as a great respiratory remedy as well. I’m sure you have seen syrups lining the shelves at your local store. There’s a reason for that! Not only can you use it during times of sickness, but also as a daily immune support.

You can find the syrups at your local health food store, or even make your own with kits! The elderberry syrup my children find the most favorable, and the one we use often is this Elderberry Elixir. It combines elderberries with herbs such as mullein leaf, which is a powerhouse for anti-viral and respiratory symptoms. It also tastes amazing! My children want this even when they aren’t sick. We take this about every other day during the fall and winter months to maintain a healthy, robust immune system. If we’ve been exposed to something or are currently sick, then we take daily.

If you’re feeling a little more on the DIY side, here are kits you can use to make your own at home: Roots & Leaves Elderberry Tonic or Earthley’s Elderberry Syrup Kit

Oscillococcinum

Sniffles? Feeling a little congested? More fatigued than usual? That dreaded scratchy throat? Go grab your Oscillococcinum and begin taking asap! This should be taken at the first sign of symptoms, as it works best this way.

This is one of the most well known homeopathic remedies for flu symptoms. In fact, since 2000 it’s been one of the top selling “drugs” in France for the common cold and flu, and is still used widely in Europe. It eases symptoms and can shorten the duration of your sickness. The great thing about this homeopathic is there are no known side affects. Again, it works best if taken at the first sign of symptoms. It’s safe for the whole family and can be found at most grocery stores or health food stores, and you can also grab it on Amazon.

Feel Better Fast

Feel Better Fast is the herbal remedy that I reach for to cover almost anything! Stomach pain? Tickle in the your throat? Feeling nauseous? Have the sniffles? Fever? Yup, let’s get the FBF! It’s pretty amazing.

Feel Better Fast is the “catch all” remedy that you can grab at the first sign of any symptom really. This herbal remedy from Earthley Wellness is a combination of herbs such as echinacea, astragalus, elder flower, Ceylon cinnamon, and fennel seed that have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties. They naturally support fevers, promote immune health, ease congestion, and soothe minor discomforts. It’s a powerhouse we refuse to be without.

Cough-b-Gone

Let’s just take a moment of silence for cough-b-gone, the true hero of herbal remedies…seriously! This is one tincture that we *stock* up on. With herbs like mullein leaf, fenugreek, and dandelion root it’s the ultimate promoter of lung health. This tincture helps with coughs (obviously), sore throats, relieves congestion, and removes mucous.

The difference between an over the counter cough medicine and cough-b-gone is essentially the difference between a suppressant vs. an expectorant. The well known cough medicines are suppressants, meaning you are suppressing, or reducing, the intensity of your cough. The herbs in cough-b-gone are expectorants, which help promote the excretion of phlegm and mucous within your respiratory tract. This is exactly what you want when you have a cough to help support your body and get rid of the “yuck”.

Needless to say, Cough-b-gone is truly one of my favorite herbal remedies we use! It’s the one I reach for any time I feel that annoying tickle in the back of my throat, you know the one. And it’s the one I’ve seen my children have the most improvement with too. Don’t miss having this in your medicine cabinet this winter.

*Bonus remedy that I’ve just recently started using in our home and with our children*

Pulsatilla

This is one of my recent favorite homeopathic remedies to have on hand. It’s best indicated for colds and coughs, but it’s also helped us with ear infections! If we are experiencing symptoms that include green or yellow nasal discharge, itchy eyes/nose, coughs, fevers, and of course ear aches…I grab this remedy. It’s safe for the whole family too! Like Oscillococcinum, you can find this at most health food stores, and also Amazon.