Some people are very lucky and can go years without so much as a sniffle. Then there are the rest of us who try to fight the yearly cough and cold but can never quite win the battle. If you have a spouse or kids always of the verge of sickness, the following is definitely for you!

Herbal Teas. Warm herbal teas are a great, quick and easy way to ingest the healing power of plants. Not to mention, the entire practice of tea-making is healing all on its own. (Note:: I purchase all of my tea making supplies here and if you’re looking to beautify the art…these gorgeous tea pots are just what you need!) The following is the collection of various herbal teas I keep stocked on the shelf all winter long:
–Echinacea & Roots Tea
–Fidnemed Nighttime Tea
–The Blues Tea
–Winter Spice Tea
–Just for Kids Organic Cold Care Herbal Tea
–Throat Coat Herbal Tea
Smudge Sticks, Resins, and Medicinal Burnables. I love the practice of smudging my home! And during the winter months, I step-up my efforts by burning a combination of white sage, locally-harvested chaparral/pine/juniper/cedar, frankincense, myrrh, and palo santo. (Note:: I only recommend purchasing herbs and resins for burning from Mountain Rose Herbs, click here to check out their vast assortment of burnables.) According to an article published by The Mind Unleased, titled ‘Killer Germs’ Obliterated by Medicinal Smoke (Smudging), Study Reveals, we now know — based on modern scientific research — that the practice of burning herbs may actually have life-saving implications by purifying the air of harmful bacteria. As evidenced by the following:

Homeopathic Remedies. Homeopathic remedies are just another staple in my medicine chest. Working with our bodies’ ability to heal itself, homeopathic remedies are super effective and quick and easy to get on board as soon as symptoms hit. Here are the few must-haves:
–Boiron Homeopathic Medicine Oscillococcinum for Flu
–Boiron Coldcalm Cold Relief Tablets
–Hyland’s Cold ‘n Cough 4 Kids
–Hyland’s Sore Throat Tablets

Detox Bath Supplies. Detox baths are an excellent way to support the entire body during illness! Not only is it a therapeutic practice, it has the ability to induce a deep state of relaxation. These are a few of the detox bath recipes I follow when I’m feeling under the weather…Cure the Common Cold Naturally:: DIY Detox Bath and 3 Natural Detox Bath Recipes.

Organic, Raw Honey. Honey is so much more than just a natural sweetener. Organic, raw honey, which has not been pasteurized or filtered, can be especially useful for medicinal, antibiotic purposes. Historically it has be used to soothe a sore throat and ease a cough. I LOVE the Immuni-Bee Herbal Honey Spread from Mountain Rose Herbs!!! With the addition of immune boosting powdered herbs…it takes medicinal honey to a new level!

Garlic. Garlic’s power and value as a healing agent is unsurpassed and cannot be overstated…it has been used throughout history as an effective antibiotic. Garlic’s broad antimicrobial spectrum incorporates antifungal, antiparasitic, antiprotozoan, and antiviral attributes in one food source. Garlic is most potent chewed or crushed raw. Nothing science has ever created comes close to doing what garlic can do.

Remember, physical sickness isn’t the only thing you have to worry about. When it’s snowy outside, for those of us living in the east, with ice on the sidewalk, there is always a threat of slipping. Keep plenty of bandages on hand for those cuts and sprains too!

For further information go to Frugally Sustainable for some more clever ideas on what to keep in your medicine chest or pantry.