By Jenny Barnett

When the nights stretch long and the first frost bites, the old-timers didn’t just hunker down, they prepared. Not just with firewood and quilts, but with broths simmering low, onions hanging in braids, and strong-smelling tonics tucked away in jars.

Here on the modern frontier, we carry those traditions forward with a bit more stainless and a bit less superstition. But the heart of it remains: natural remedies for cold season, built from what we have, grown with intention, and passed down from those who made wellness a way of life.

Herbal Immune Boosters That Still Hold Their Weight

These aren’t trendy supplements; they’re time-tested staples that have supported immune health for generations. Most are easy to grow, store, or buy in bulk. Here are five of our favorites for keeping strong through cold and flu season:

1. Elderberry Syrup

Packed with antioxidants, elderberry is believed to reduce the duration and severity of colds when taken at the first sign of symptoms.

[Link to elderberry syrup recipe]

2. Raw Garlic

Nature’s antibiotic. Crushed raw garlic releases allicin, a powerful antimicrobial compound. Mix it with raw honey or stir it into warm broth.

[ Link to garlic immunity shot recipe ]

3. Onion Poultices & Soup

A hot onion compress on the chest or soles of the feet was a go-to remedy for chest congestion. And of course, nothing beats a strong onion and garlic soup for both comfort and healing.

[Link to old-fashioned onion soup]

4. Bone Broth

High in minerals and easy to digest, bone broth is foundational frontier medicine. Simmer it with garlic, thyme, and a bay leaf or two for added immune support.

[Link to bone broth recipe]

5. Fire Cider

A spicy, tangy vinegar tonic made with horseradish, garlic, ginger, onion, and cayenne. It’s intense, but folks swear by it.

[Link to fire cider how-to]

Tools of the Trade: Copper in the Kitchen

In days past, a frontier kitchen’s medicine chest wasn’t just herbs, it was also the tools used to prepare them. One often-overlooked ally? Copper.

Why Copper?

• Naturally antimicrobial: Studies show copper surfaces kill harmful bacteria and viruses more quickly than stainless steel or plastic.
• Supports mineral balance: In small, trace amounts, copper is essential to the body’s immune system.
• Timeless durability: Copper spoons, ladles, and scoops were passed down through generations for good reason: they last.
• [ Link to my copper ladle and similar utensils ]

A Word of Caution:

While copper is beautiful and beneficial, avoid using it with acidic ingredients (like vinegar or citrus) unless the piece is lined or coated. Acids can cause copper to leach into food at unsafe levels. Use wooden, stainless, or enamel-coated tools when mixing fire cider or fermenting.

Cold Season Prep Isn’t Just About Medicine

It’s about slowing down. Putting the kettle on. Stocking your pantry with intention. And remembering that wellness isn’t just what you take when you’re sick, it’s what you build into your everyday.

From wild herbs to handmade tools, the way we keep well hasn’t changed all that much. It’s still about knowing your body, trusting nature, and leaning on the wisdom that came before.

And maybe, just maybe, making a batch of broth before you need it.

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Written by Jenny Barnett
Wild West Topos Contributor & Keeper of the Hearth
Raised on bone broth and borderland remedies