The Unofficial 5th Season has started in the area… The Flu! With two kids in school and two people working in healthcare, germs try their hardest to infiltrate our best defenses. I’m going to let you know a few of my secrets.
Here is my Flu First-Aid Kit that I re-stock every year:
- Baby wipes
- Lemon juice
- Local honey
- Fruit Cocktail in heavy syrup
- Electrolyte drink
- Elderberries
- “Feel Better Soon” Essential Oil inhaler
First, ignore the liquid alcohol sanitizer. It’s expensive for what you get and if you read the actual instructions, it’s not as convenient as it seems. With two kids, their hands get pretty nasty and as much as we try to remind them to wash their hands before they eat, how many times do they actually remember? A quick clean-up with a baby wipe, or two or three works really well. Baby wipes also don’t make a mess in our purse or bag if the lid gets loose.
Use the wipes available at the store to wipe the shopping carts. They do have some stronger chemicals than baby wipes to deal with the stronger germs that are out there. Wipe the cart down, wait for it to dry, and then you are good to go. If you want to follow up with your own wipe, it won’t hurt, just give the other one time to work. Wash your hands after you get home, before you start putting the groceries away.
There is something to be said for elderberry syrup for a preventative. You can buy pre-made versions, or you can make your own. The recipe I follow is 3-ingredients. It’s the elderberries, local honey and water. Depending on how much honey you add, the syrup should last in your fridge for at least a couple of weeks.
If a rogue bug does infiltrate the defenses, and we get that first sign of a sore throat, add some lemon juice- the regular juice concentrate available for around $2 a bottle at the grocery store and some local honey to a cup of warm to hot water (not boiling), flavored to taste and drank like a cup of tea. Repeat as needed, but usually 2-3 cups and the sore throat is gone.
For the stubborn stomach bug, sip a teaspoon of the heavy syrup from the fruit cocktail every 15 minutes or so for as long as it stays put. Set a timer if you have to. After an hour or so, gradually increase the amount. If you overwhelm your stomach, start back at the beginning. You can gradually introduce small amounts of the electrolyte drinks (commercial or make your own)- about the same rate as the fruit cocktail. It will avoid overloading your stomach and lets it get back to normal gently.
My daughters wanted me to include my recipe for my essential oil inhaler. It’s small, portable, and discreet. It’s a blend that is generally acceptable for kids 5 and up. Of course, if your child has allergies or other issues with the ingredients, then this won’t be the right fit for them.
The standard disclaimers apply- if things don’t get better, or something doesn’t seem right, consult your doctor.
Hopefully these tips will help you and your family stay healthy well into the New Year!
The following links are affiliate links and I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
- Individual Honey Packets
- Individual Lemon Juice Packets
- Queasy Drops
- Electric Kettle
- Dried Elderberries
“Feel Better Soon” Essential Oil Inhaler Recipe
This is a recipe that can be used for kids 5 and up.
- 2 Drops Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana)
- 4 Drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- 5 Drops Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)
Add the oils to a blank inhaler
Amazon links:
I recommend using the brand I have included here. They are one of the very, very few that includes the Latin names on every bottle (which can make a big difference how the oils work) and they provide testing on every single batch and it’s available publicly. You can be sure that the oil you’re using is what the bottle says it is.
If you are new to essential oils or have questions, I highly recommend this website.
Direct From Plant Therapy:
- Blank Inhalers
- Dilution Guide Magnet
- Dilution Guide Magnet – Kids
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Cedarwood Essential Oil
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