Cold Weather Immunity Boosters
When the temperatures drop, colds start spreading faster than snippy gossip at a small-town diner. The good news is that nature has its own medicine cabinet, and you don’t need a prescription to access it. Your cold-weather immunity can be greatly improved by incorporating the boosters in this article!
At Stoney Creek Farm, we’ve got the tips, tricks, and recipes to help you stay healthy, happy, and hardy this winter. Explore clever, natural ways to keep sniffles away.
Embrace Nature’s Medicine Cabinet This Fall
Why spend a fortune on store-bought supplements when Mother Nature has stocked shelves? Embracing natural remedies is more than downing shots of elderberry syrup. It’s connecting with the earth and gathering the immune-boosting goodness around you. From herbs like echinacea to forest finds like acorns, our autumn medicine harvest is like Black Friday shopping…but without the crowds and chaos.
Step outside and breathe in crisp autumn air. Your backyard—or local park if you’re a city dweller—is brimming with natural immune boosters. But remember, not every wild berry is your best friend. When in doubt, check out our Fall Medicine Harvest blog for tips on what to gather and what else to leave for the squirrels.
Fermented Garlic and Honey: The Ultimate Cold Weather Elixir
Let’s talk about garlic. Yes, it may leave your breath smelling like you’re warding off vampires, but it’s also one of the most potent natural remedies for boosting immunities. When you combine garlic with honey (another superfood known for its antibacterial properties), you get a robust cold-weather elixir that is as delicious as it is effective. We swear, one spoonful and you’ll feel like you could wrestle a bear—or at least ward off the flu.
Our friends at Homestead and Chill have the perfect fermented garlic honey recipe to get you started.
Peel some garlic, toss it in a jar of raw honey, and wait for the magic. The garlic ferments over the next few weeks, making it even more potent against germs. The best part is you now have a great excuse to eat a spoonful of honey.
Natural Ways to Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season
We’ve all been there—one person sneezes in a room, and suddenly, you can feel the germs infiltrating your personal space. However, before you wrap yourself in a plastic bubble, explore a few natural ways to keep your immune system in fighting shape.
- Sip herbal teas. Enjoy fresh-brewed teas made from immune-boosting herbs like elderberry, ginger, turmeric, and echinacea, which support your body’s natural defenses.
- Take elderberry syrup. Known for its antiviral properties, elderberry syrup reduces the severity and duration of cold symptoms.
- Keep a jug of water around. Drink at least 8 cups of water daily. We advise getting a 64-ounce refillable thermos that you can tote everywhere.
- Eat immune-boosting foods. Leafy greens, citrus fruits, garlic, and ginger are nutritional powerhouses to bolster immunities.
- Diffuse essential oils. Peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus oils can clear sinuses and strengthen nasal passages.
- Try bone broth. Rich in nutrients, it is immune-boosting, hearty, comforting, and keeps you warm on chilly days (like a hug for your insides).
- Stress less. It may be easier said than done but engage in relaxation techniques (meditation, yoga, mindful silence, etc.) to keep stress (a silent killer) at bay while boosting your immunities.
At Stoney Creek Farm, we love time-tested home remedies. Check out our blog, Natural Ways to Treat Cold and Flu, for a rundown on how to combat germs without hitting up the local pharmacy.
Acorn Harvesting: A Forgotten Immunity Booster
If your idea of foraging is finding snacks in the pantry, it’s time to level up. Foraging is about gathering the wild and wonderful ingredients that nature provides. Think herbs, mushrooms, roots, and berries, which boost immunity against germs and make you feel homestead-chic.
For example, acorns may seem like squirrel food, but to us, they are a nutritious powerhouse waiting to be rediscovered. Yes, you can eat them—they are super good for you!
Acorns are packed with healthy fats, proteins, and minerals; folk medicine has used them for centuries to help maintain health. In the processing stage, you can roast them to remove natural tannins, making them a delicious, nutritious snack that reconnects you with ancient, forgotten sources of good health and illness immunity.
At Stoney Creek Farm, we consider acorn harvesting a lost life lesson, but once you learn to process them, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been adding acorn flour to your pancakes from day one.
The Power of Fermentation: How to Use It for Winter Wellness
Not only for kombucha, sauerkraut, and hipster-approved craft beers, the fermentation process enhances foods’ nutritional content, making them better for your immune system. Think of it as giving food an upgrade.
Fermented foods like kimchi, kefir, and garlic honey introduce beneficial bacteria into your gut, supporting your immune system against everyday sickness. While some would describe fermented fruits and veggies as an acquired taste, when done correctly, fermented foods can be delicious and nutritious.
- Better absorb nutrients. Fermented foods enhance nutritional activation, making it easier for your body to absorb and use essential vitamins and minerals.
- Preserve foods seasonally. Fermentation allows you to store seasonal harvests to enhance nutritional value and keep it available during winter.
- Incorporation matters. Regularly and consistently adding a small portion of fermented foods to your meals can support immune health year-round—not just when the temperature plummets.
- Naturally, reduce inflammation. The beneficial bacteria in fermented foods help reduce internal and external swelling to support overall health.
Watch, Learn, and Connect with Stoney Creek Farm
Are you serious about staying healthy during cold weather? Prepare your homestead for better health! Think of it like prepping for winter hibernation but with less sleep and more herbal tea, acorns, and fermented fruits and veggies. Stock up on dried herbs and natural cold remedies now, so you’ll be ready when cold and flu season hits.
Want to learn more about fermentation, foraging, acorn processing, and sustainable living? Our Stoney Creek Farm YouTube channel has plenty of tips, tricks, and how-to guides.
Follow us on Facebook for daily inspiration, seasonal tips, and updates on upcoming workshops and events. Join our free Facebook group, Dirt Rich, to collaborate with like-minded sustainable living enthusiasts.
Winter is coming, but with some preparation, you’ll be ready to face it head-on with a better immune system. Let’s stay healthy together, naturally!
