I don't know about you, but these last couple of years feel like everything has gone absolutely wackadoo crazy! Stores are running low on ingredients, people are losing connection with their loved ones, whilst trying to stay healthy, sane, and employed!
One way that I've found to help keep the family healthy is by going back to nature and using everyday ingredients (mostly!) to make our medicines and supplements.
I've found a couple of fantastic books to study up on and honestly I feel like I have some control back! If you're interested in learning about herbs, spices, and plants that can help you grow your immunity naturally, I would highly recommend starting with the book "Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide" by Rosemary Gladstar; a qualified Herbalist based in the United States.
The other one that's been incredibly beneficial is "The Plant Clinic: Healing with plant medicine" by Erin Lovell Verinder. B Herb Med, Adv Dip Nut Med, Dip Energy Healing
Both books are incredibly easy to read, with clear pictures and easy-to-follow information regarding the benefits of a wide variety of plants that although the books are American, you can easily transfer to NZ.
One of the biggest lessons that I gained from these books is that it's so easy to look after your health naturally, simply by making herbal teas (infusion), or syrups. If you want to go all out, you can even learn how to make your capsules, tinctures, linaments, and cough drops too!
The second biggest lesson learned was the power of Nettle Leaf and Dandelion. I never thought that things we classed so readily as weeds (in my husband's eyes at least) would be so powerful when it came to stopping mild hayfever and dropping some lbs on the scales!
Armed with this new knowledge I stepped into the kitchen to see what I could put together to help with whenever the throat starts to feel ticklish or the hayfever starts.
I've put together an immunity syrup that the kids will happily consume and that I can even get down the fussiest family member's throat!
IMMUNITY SYRUP RECIPE
Ingredients
500g Blackcurrants
1 Onion - diced 2" Ginger root - sliced
1/4C Nettle leaf tea (brewed in 2C water)
1 Chili - whole (fresh or dry is fine)
1 Lemon - frozen and then chopped into rough chunks
Rosemary - 1 large sprig or 3T
Lavender - 3 Sprigs
250ml Apple Cider Vinegar
3/4C Honey
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Makes 500ml
Please note that this post is purely based on my personal opinion and experience. Each person has their own unique physical composition so may experience varying results.
Links for reference: