My Most Effective Natural Remedy for Colds and Flu

The best natural remedy, tied with a bow

I need a natural remedy

Confession: I really don’t like cold and flu season. It makes me cranky. Just knowing we’re surrounded by creeping pestilence and airborne viruses makes me want to hibernate in a Lysol wipe.

When our family was smaller, it wasn’t so bad. I’d get some kind of crud and be down for a week, max. But now, with seven host bodies for the Winter Germ Convention, it can feel like we spend all winter with the plague. By March, I’m ready to throw out my dead and move on.

Fortunately, as our family has grown, so has my knowledge of homeopathic remedies because as much as I hate the flu, I hate antibiotics much, much more. I’m oily, crunchy, and a little bit sadistic, and I don’t like giving my family drugs unless it’s absolutely necessary. Case in point: recently, Jonathan (age 11) came down with strep. He woke up one morning with a 102-degree fever and an angry sore throat. Immediately, I got out my secret weapon, my most effective natural cold remedy: Dragon Juice.

The very name strikes fear in the hearts of my children. The stuff is wicked good. It burns going down and it burns when you burp and it pretty much burns just thinking about it. But it works better than any other remedy I’ve tried for preventing, treating, and otherwise scaring the life out of any germ that comes our way. It works so well that after using it, people beg me for the recipe. Beg. One friend even suggested I bottle it and sell it.

Because. It. Works. Like. A. Boss.

Even the strep bug was no match for this stuff. It’s that good.

Garlic and raw honey: some of the players in this natural remedy

The idea of Dragon Juice, or something like it, has been around for ages. It is sometimes called Fire Tonic or Fire Cider. As is the case with most well-loved and effective natural remedies, everyone’s recipe is a little different, but the basics are always the same. You start with tangy apple cider vinegar, then throw in all sorts of goodness like garlic and cayenne. Yes, I said cayenne. Short-term pain for long-term gain, people. Stay with me.

After playing around with ratios and ingredients for a few years, this is my version.

Dragon Juice: It’s about to go down

Dragon Juice: The Recipe

1 quart raw, unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar, such as Bragg’s

1 whole onion

Juice of 1-2 lemons (you can substitute other citrus but lemon is best)

20 fresh garlic cloves, peeled

1 thumb-sized piece of ginger

1 thumb-sized piece of fresh horseradish

1 generous sprig of fresh rosemary

½ c. of honey, or more to taste

1-2T. whole black peppercorns

1-2 T. cinnamon, or a generous stick of whole cinnamon

1-2 T. cayenne

1-2 T. turmeric

1 T. dried burdock root (optional but awesome)

Blend the ingredients together in a heavy-duty blender until completely liquefied. I love my Vitamix for this. It pulverizes everything, even the ginger and horseradish, so I do not have to peel them before tossing them in the carafe.

Bottle the juice in a glass jar. If the jar has a metal lid, use a coffee filter or cheesecloth to keep the vinegar from coming in contact with the metal, or it will corrode. Allow everything to steep for at least a month. You can take the remedy right away (I have) but it will not be as effective until all the ingredients have had a chance to meet and mingle.

Apple Cider vinegar, meet Ginger

So. Make it today. You do not want to meet a cold without this remedy in your back pocket.

Dragon Juice does not need to be refrigerated. Just let it sit in your cupboard happy. After a month, you can strain the juice if you like. I do not. The Vitamix works so well, there is no need, and I like to keep all the good stuff in. It will settle some; simply shake before using.

If you do not have a blender, chop the onions, garlic, horseradish, etc. coarsely, and mix all the ingredients in a jar with the vinegar. Allow to steep for at least a month, then strain. Reserve the infused vinegar and toss the rest. Viola! Dragon Juice.

At the first sign of illness, or before and after any event that stresses the immune system (such as flying), I take (or dispense) this stuff a tablespoon at a time, 3xs a day, or more often if we’re battling a full-blown illness such as strep.

For my younger children, I cut the dosage down to a teaspoon—just small enough that they can gulp it down in one swig and then rush for a drink of water. Ha.

Please be aware, I am not a doctor and cannot make recommendations on how to treat your illnesses, so be wise and seek medical care when necessary. Dragon Juice can do lots of things, but it cannot raise the dead.

Natural Remedy Notes

*As I have worked on this recipe, I found I could increase the amount of dried herbs by double without noticeably affecting the taste or heat factor. That’s why there’s some wiggle room in the amounts of some of the herbs in the recipe. I recommend that you start with the lower amounts, but feel free to increase them if you are able to tolerate more. Since my children are used to swigging this stuff, I always use the higher amount. They can hack it.

*The ingredients used have been chosen because they work synergistically. In other words, they work better together. For instance, garlic is one of the world’s best-known natural remedies. If I could bring only one thing to a deserted island, it would be garlic. But when garlic is used with cayenne, the potency increases. In fact, cayenne is considered a “catalyst herb” because of its unique ability to increase the efficacy of nearly every other herb!

But that’s not all–black pepper exponentially multiplies the bio-availability of turmeric, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. If you take turmeric as a supplement, always, always include black pepper if you can.

Apple Cider Vinegar has the ability to draw nutrients out of herbs and spices without damaging them, and can “hold” those same nutrients in a shelf-stable state for long periods of time. So, even though there is some flex in this recipe, the remedy works best when all the ingredients are included.

*Take with a meal, or at the very least, with a little bit of oil or fat. Some of the ingredients, like turmeric, are fat-soluble. I sometimes eat a handful of sprouted almonds before I take a dose. Dragon Juice also works well as the acid in a salad dressing recipe, and it tastes great stirred in to chicken soup!

*All the ingredients are safe for pregnant women. However, Dragon Juice will affect your breast milk. Babies don’t always appreciate the taste of a cayenne milkshake, so be aware that your nursing babe might not love this natural remedy as much as I do. Please be aware that because one of the ingredients is raw honey, you should not use this remedy for children under the age of two. Because it is a hot, spicy concoction, I would be careful if giving it to a child under the age of five.

*Dragon Juice will keep indefinitely in a cupboard. It’s always good to date things you stick in your cupboard. If you find it five years down the road, it might be a good idea to toss it and start with a fresh batch.

*You cannot overdose on Dragon Juice, and the more consistent you are with taking it, the better it works. Be sure to continue taking it for a few days after symptoms decrease to continue building your immunity and prevent a relapse.

*Dragon Juice makes a great gift, believe it or not. The next time you bring a meal to a sick friend, include a bottle of this natural remedy. They will thank you later.

Antibiotics don’t make great gifts. Natural remedies do.

Enjoy! Then please stop back and let me know how Dragon Juice helped your family. You will be amazed at how effective this natural remedy really is.

Simply Homemade: Whipped Coconut Body Butter

Whipped Coconut Body Butter is part of our Simply Homemade gift series

The December days are flying by. Christmas packages are arriving in the mail and the presents are starting to gather under the tree. Everything is bright and glorious and full.

It’s getting harder to find time to make gifts now that the days are short and swift. If you’re still trying to pull off some homemade magic for the loved ones on your list, you know how important it is to keep things simple.

Today’s Simply Homemade project is perfect for that. It requires just two ingredients and less than five minutes of your time (and most of that time you can be doing something else, like wrapping presents or sipping cocoa).

The result of your minimal efforts is a luscious gift perfect for the cold, dry days of winter. It’s something I use every day to keep my skin from shriveling up like a prune here in the desert. I call it Whipped Coconut Body Butter infused with Peppermint.

Sounds like a mouthful, right? Don’t worry–I promise it will be easier than eating just one Christmas cookie.

Before we get started, let’s talk about the main ingredient in this gift: unrefined coconut oil. You might have some in your house right now. I hope you do. It is amazing stuff.

I use unrefined coconut oil for just about everything. I cook with it, bake with it, eat it raw, put it on my hair and skin, and even use it as a sunscreen.

As a skin moisturizer, unrefined coconut oil is unparalleled. Coconut oil is antifungal, antibacterial, and so full of antioxidants, it actually fights the free radicals that damage your skin. The oil soaks right into the skin on a cellular level, and all those antioxidants go to work protecting and even restoring the skin. I don’t know about you, but my skin isn’t getting any younger, and it could use a little restoration now and again.

All of that and unrefined coconut oil has no artificial colors or scents. It’s perfectly safe for babies and adults, not a bit harmful to the environment, and won’t even stain your clothes. Sounds fabulous, right?

The only problem is, coconut oil is a solid unless temperatures get about 76 degrees. I don’t know about you, but I don’t keep my house that warm in the winter. That means my coconut oil has an unfortunate tendency to turn rock hard whenever the temperature falls.

Chiseling coconut oil out of a container is not one of my favorite things.

That’s where this tutorial comes in. I have a very easy solution to the coconut-chipping dilemma: we whip it. Now, I know you thought I call this stuff “Whipped” Coconut Body Butter because it sounds fancy.

But no.

We really need to whip it. Aerating the coconut oil keeps it soft and supple when the temperatures dip. You don’t even need a tutorial for this (I mean, you kind of get the idea when I say we need to whip it) but since we’re here….

Whipped Coconut Body Butter with Peppermint

Ta-Da!

Ingredients

1 c. unrefined coconut oil

Peppermint Essential Oil, about 20 drops

Self-Explanatory Instructions You Really Don’t Need

Scoop (or chip) the coconut oil into a mixing bowl fitted with a whisk attachment. I did not even measure. We all know what one cup looks like, right?

Whip the coconut oil. It will turn fluffy and glossy, and soft peaks will form when you lift the whisk out of the bowl. This is good. The more air you can incorporate into the coconut oil, the softer it will stay.

I let my mixer run for a good five minutes, scraping down the bowl occasionally to make sure no little coconut oil bits were escaping.

When it has just about doubled in volume, add the peppermint essential oil.* I added about 20 drops to my coconut oil to get the scent and potency I wanted, but you can adjust according to your tastes. Just be aware that the peppermint scent will develop a bit as the mixture cures.

Whip the coconut oil just long enough to blend in the oils, and you’re done! Carefully scoop the coconut oil into pretty little Mason jars for giving, being careful not to compact the oil too much (remember, we want to keep those air bubbles fat and happy).

To use: Apply Whipped Coconut Body Butter like you would any other moisturizer. It’s great to put on right out of the shower or before bed. I also rub it into my hair and scalp before a shower as a per-conditioner, or to the ends of my hair as an after-shower treatment.

Allow the coconut oil to absorb and continue on with your regular Christmastime festivities!

A Word About Peppermint Essential Oil

*You can find peppermint essential oil at just about any health store or in the health section of many grocery stores. It is a fabulous oil to have on hand for home remedies (nothing treats a headache better). I added it to the Whipped Coconut Body Butter not only because it smells Christmas-y, but because peppermint essential oil increases circulation, restores tired feet and legs after too much shopping, soothes achy joints, treats heartburn and stomach yuckiness from eating too many Christmas goodies, and even helps to fight the colds that could ruin Christmas morning.

All around, it’s great stuff.

Just know this: if you’re serious about using peppermint, or any other essential oil, be sure to educate yourself and purchase the highest-quality oil you can. Quality oils do not necessarily cost any more than the stuff you can pick up at any store, but they are created using techniques that ensure the highest potency, so it’s worth doing some homework. I purchase my oils at Rocky Mountain Oils but there are many great companies to choose from.

Now, Back to the Body Butter

While you were reading about peppermint oil, I put a jar of Whipped Coconut Body Butter under the tree. That’s another gift, done.

Tomorrow’s Simply Homemade gift will involve fabric, scissors, and thread. Can’t sew? Don’t worry! You’ve totally got this.

*The posts in this series may contain affiliate links for your convenience.

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Simply Homemade: Sugared Bath Bombs

I’m as giddy as a schoolgirl about today’s Simply Homemade project. We’ve been making some pretty fun projects since the series started, but this one takes the cake. The cupcake, to be exact.

A cupcake?

“What’s the big deal?” You might be thinking. The cupcake trend has peaked, hasn’t it? Aren’t we all over cupcakes?

I will pretend I didn’t hear you and offer this little comfort: you won’t be eating these cupcakes. You and your hips are perfectly safe with me.

These cupcakes are for the bath. That’s right! Today’s Simply Homemade project features DIY Sugared Bath Bombs. Cupcake bath bombs. Squeeee!

What good little girl (or grown-up little girl) wouldn’t want to receive one of these in her stocking on Christmas morning?

You all do?

No problem.

Naturally, Sugared Bath Bombs are so easy to make, I can whip up a batch of these in less time than it takes to make the real thing, and with far fewer ingredients. Here’s how I cooked them up in time for gift-giving.

How to make Sugared Bath Bombs

Ingredients:

1 c. baking soda

1/2 c. corn starch

1/2 c. Epsom salts

1/2 cup instant drink mix, like Crystal Light or unsweetened Kool-Aid, with “citric acid” listed as the first ingredient. You can also use 1/2 cup plain citric acid, available at health stores or through Amazon. But of course, you’ll want to make these right away and who has time to wait for UPS?

1/3 cup oil *Any oil will do; I used equal parts coconut oil and calendula oil for their skin-loving properties. Almond oil, melted shea butter, and even olive oil would be great alternatives.

*Note: If you use plain citric acid, you will want to add 1 t. essential oils in a scent you like. Try lavender, peppermint, or lemon. Essential oils get expensive, which is why I used drink mix. However, essential oils have so many wonderful health benefits, it’s worth the expense if you’re doing this on a small scale.

**If you went the plain citric acid route, you may also want to add a bit of natural food coloring. Just a few drops will do. After all, you don’t want your bath water to look like Kool-Aid. If you use a drink mix for the citric acid component, it will already be flavored and scented, but it won’t look like Kool-Aid.

For Icing:

6 cups powdered sugar

4 egg whites

Extra Stuff You’ll Need:

Sprinkles, raw sugar, or other edible decorations

Cupcake wrappers

Instructions:

Blend the dry ingredients very well. I put all the dry ingredients in my Vitamix and let it whir for a minute. It’s important to incorporate the citric acid throughout if you want the bath bombs to fizz consistently. If you do not have a blender, just employ some child labor to do the mixing.

When the dry ingredients are maxed out on the mixing, slowly add the oil. Do this about a tablespoon at a time, mixing well between additions.

Soon, the mixture will begin to clump together. When you can press it into your first and it holds its shape, you’re done.

Distribute the mixture into your cupcake tins. I used 12 wrappers, but if you want fatter bath bombs, use fewer wrappers. It’s not an exact science.

Press the mixture into the wrappers using as much pressure as you can. You want the bombs to hold their shape! We used a 1/4 measure as a press.

Ignore my messy-looking stoneware cupcake pan. That’s what we call “seasoned.”

Set the bath bombs aside to dry and harden while you make the icing.

Icing Action:

This type of Royal Icing dries hard, which is what you want if your Sugared Bath Bombs are going to make it to Christmas morning without looking all smooshy. Smooshy=not the spirit of Christmas.

In a mixing bowl with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and powdered sugar until it turns glossy and peaks form. The peaks should be stiff enough to stand up but soft enough to bend a little at the ends.

Pipe the icing onto the tops of the cupcakes using a pastry bag. You can also use a Ziploc bag with one corner cut off, which is what I did because I have no idea where the movers packed my my cake decorating supplies. They’re probably in with the winter coats.

You can also use a star tip, if your movers left your cake decorations alone.

Sprinkle the cupcakes with edible decorations while the icing is wet. It sets quickly, so work fast!

Allow your pretty little Sugared Bath Bombs to cure overnight, if possible, to give the icing time to harden all the way through.

Package your Sugared Bath Bombs in cellophane and ribbons and all the usual suspects.

Or, gift one on a pretty little thrifted plate.

That’s all there is to it. Who new fat-free, calorie-free cupcakes could be so easy?

So, fill up some stockings, fill up the tub, and enjoy your very own Simply Homemade creation!

*Safety notes for not-very-sensible people: Do not eat these. You probably won’t die if you do, but let’s not find out. It’s probably not a good idea to give these to small children because even if you tell them not to eat them, they will. In fact, if you tell them not to eat these, they will be 100x more likely to do so.

Secondarily, the oils in these Sugared Bath Bombs can make the tub slippery. It is best not to dance the polka while bathing with one of these fizzing away in the water. I know. I’m such a spoil-sport.

One last thing, because I know you’ll ask: Yes, it’s okay to bathe with frosting. I won’t tell. Big stores sell sugar scrubs for lots of money. This is just a sugar scrub minus the scrub, minus the big money. Your tub will not mind, and even the sprinkles will dissolve in the water (that’s why we chose edible embellishments on an item you can’t even eat).

Now, go get yourself some citric acid.

Join us tomorrow for another Simply Homemade project! I’d give you a clue if I had one.

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