🌿 5 Simple DIY Herbal Remedies You Can Make at Home to Keep Your Family Well Naturally

As a mama who’s been through the trenches of autoimmune disease and come out the other side stronger and more aligned with nature, I’ve learned one powerful truth: the body wants to heal — sometimes, it just needs the right support.

That’s where herbal remedies come in. These time-honored, plant-powered potions have been used by generations of mamas before us to boost immunity, soothe fevers, calm digestion, and more. And the best part? You can make them right in your own kitchen — no fancy degrees or apothecaries required.

Elderberries are rich in antioxidants and antiviral properties that support the immune system and help shorten the duration of colds and flu. This syrup is sweet, soothing, and safe for children over 1 year old.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup elderberries (dried or fresh)
• 4 cups of water
• 1–2 inches fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
• 1–2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 cup raw honey
• 1 lemon, sliced

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine elderberries, water, ginger, lemon, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, until the liquid is reduced by half.
3. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean bowl, pressing the berries to release all their goodness.
4. Once cooled, stir in the honey until fully dissolved.
5. Store in a glass jar in the fridge.

Dosage:

• For children 1 and up: 1 tablespoon daily for immune support
• Up to 3x daily when sick

This is my absolute favorite home remedy and I can honestly say we use it in our home a ton & my kids are OBSESSED with it! Great for pre-travel, when school starts up to boost the immune system and I give it 3 x’s a day when my kids are actively sick! I swear by this that it helps them fight off viruses way faster! 🙏🏼🦠🤧

Chamomile is calming for both the nervous system and the digestive tract — perfect for little bellies and bedtime routines.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers
• 1 cup hot water
• Optional: touch of raw honey (for children over 1)

Instructions:

1. Pour hot water over chamomile flowers in a mug or teapot.
2. Cover and steep for 5–10 minutes.
3. Strain and enjoy warm.

Use this remedy after meals or at bedtime to ease gas, bloating, or restlessness.

Raw honey and garlic are both antibacterial powerhouses. Combined, they make a potent natural cough and cold remedy that even picky kids can tolerate!

Ingredients:

• 1 head of garlic, peeled and lightly smashed
• 1 cup raw honey

Instructions:

1. Add garlic cloves to a clean glass jar.
2. Pour honey over garlic until fully covered.
3. Seal and let infuse at room temperature for 3–5 days before using.
4. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Use:

• 1 teaspoon straight off the spoon for cough or sore throat
• Mix into warm (not hot) tea or lemon water for a soothing drink

Calendula flowers are known for their skin-soothing, anti-inflammatory benefits — perfect for cuts, scrapes, rashes, and dry patches.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried calendula flowers
• 1 cup olive oil (or coconut oil)
• 1/4 cup beeswax pellets

Instructions:

1. Infuse calendula into oil using a slow method (in a sunny windowsill for 2 weeks) or quick method (gently heat in a double boiler for 1–2 hours).
2. Strain the flowers out and return the oil to the pot.
3. Add beeswax and stir until melted.
4. Pour into tins or glass jars and let cool.

Apply as needed to minor skin irritations, eczema, or dry skin patches.

This is a go-to remedy in our home for colds, congestion, or just a pick-me-up on cold days. Ginger clears sinuses, lemon provides vitamin C, and honey coats and soothes.

Ingredients:

• 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1 cup hot water

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a mug and stir well.
2. Sip slowly while warm.

Drink 2–3 times daily during colds or as a preventative during cold + flu season.

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✨ Final Thoughts from Mama Naturally

These remedies are more than just natural alternatives — they’re acts of love, nourishment, and ancestral wisdom. When you make them, you’re not just boosting your family’s health… you’re reconnecting with the Earth, trusting your instincts, and choosing a gentler, more aligned way to care for the ones you love. 🌎🫶🏻

Let me know in the comments — have you tried any of these remedies before? Do you have a go-to herbal recipe you swear by?

With love & purpose,
Cole
RN | Holistic Health Advocate | Founder of Mama Naturally