By Jenny Barnett

The woodstove is crackling.
There’s broth simmering on the back burner.
And right next to the pantry jars and dried herbs… is a little shelf I call the remedy nook.

Because once the frost settles in, our bodies ask more of us. The cold bites, the air dries out, and colds come knocking. But before you reach for anything synthetic, consider reaching back into the earth’s pharmacy and old-world wisdom.

Here’s how I stock our homestead with natural remedies for winter wellness, drawn from traditional herbalism and updated for a modern frontier life.

1. Fire Cider: The Folk Tonic with a Kick

Zingy, spicy, and made to stoke your inner fire.

This traditional tonic is made with:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic
• Horseradish
• Onion
• Ginger
• Hot peppers
• Honey (optional)

It’s taken by the spoonful to boost circulation and immune defense—and let me tell you, it’ll clear your sinuses faster than a snowstorm on a tin roof.

Immune-Boosting Tonic Recipe

2. Garlic Honey: The Sweetest Medicine

Raw garlic is antiviral, antifungal, and downright legendary in wintertime remedy lore.
But soaking it in raw honey? That’s when the magic really begins.

• Peel cloves and smash lightly
• Cover with raw local honey
• Let it ferment in the dark at room temp for a few days to a week
• Take a spoonful at the first tickle in your throat

Keep a jar ready in your pantry, right next to your teas and tinctures.

3. Elderberry Syrup: Your Cold Season Companion

Rich in antioxidants and immune-supportive compounds, elderberries are a staple in my winter prep.

You can make your own or buy pre-blended herbal kits:
Mountain Rose Herbs Immune Bundle

I keep this on hand for:

• Daily immune support
• Onset of cold symptoms
• A sweet drizzle on oatmeal or yogurt

4. Steam Bowls: Herbal Saunas for the Face

Sometimes the best remedy is simple.
Boil water, pour into a bowl, add herbs like:

• Thyme
• Eucalyptus
• Chamomile
• Peppermint

Then drape a towel over your head and breathe.
These bowls soothe sinuses, drain congestion, calm coughs, and make you feel human again.

Optional add-ons:

• A few drops of essential oil
• A scoop of sea salt
• A eucalyptus bundle nearby

5. Learn As You Go: My Favorite Herbal Guides

Winter is also a time for study. Quiet evenings by the fire with a pot of tea and a good book and pre-dawn mornings with a steaming cup of joe and an herbalism journal.

Here are some favorites:

• 📖 The Forgotten Home Apothecary
• 📖 The Modern Herbal Dispensatory
• 📖 The Holistic Guide to Wellness

And if you’re ready to make your own salves, syrups, and infused oils, don’t forget a double boiler insert to keep your medicine-making safe and simple.

Make It a Winter Wellness Station

Just like your pantry or your fireplace, your wellness shelf deserves care and intention.
I like to stock mine with:

• Amber glass jars
• Labels with dates and use
• Wooden spoons for scooping
• A few wool socks and lip balm stashed nearby

Because wellness, after all, is about preparing before the storm, not scrambling during it.

Let the land rest, and let your body repair.
Winter is the season of slowing down. Of stewing bones, sipping teas, and gathering what heals.

You don’t need a degree to tend your family’s health. Just curiosity, a few good herbs, and a little bit of wild wisdom.

Stay well out there,
—Jenny