Gathering From the Home Apothecary

When the first chill of fall settles in, our kitchen begins to shift from garden harvests to herbal remedies. Jars of dried herbs line the counter, the air smells of honey and ginger, and a quiet rhythm fills the house as we restock our home apothecary for the season ahead.

These three simple, time-tested remedies have become staples on our homestead. They use ingredients you may already have at home and are perfect for soothing coughs, easing congestion, and supporting your immune system naturally.

Each recipe is gentle, affordable, and steeped in tradition, the same kind of remedies our grandparents once relied on.

Disclaimer:
The information shared in this post is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional care. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription medications.

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All-Day Cold & Congestion Tea (Flu Tea Recipe)

Yield: 1 quart (4 cups)

This is our go-to flu tea, comforting, aromatic, and effective. It’s packed with herbs that support your immune system, ease coughing, and calm inflammation.

Ingredients

• 4 tsp dried elderberries (immune boost + antiviral)
• 1½ tsp dried mullein leaf (lung support, eases heaviness)
• ½ tsp dried elecampane root (loosens congestion — optional if flavor is too strong)
• 1 tsp dried wild cherry bark (calms cough, eases throat)
• 6–8 slices fresh ginger (warming + sinus-clearing)
• 2 slices dried cinnamon stick (warming + antimicrobial)
• 1 star anise pod (optional — antiviral, helps with stuffy nose)
• 1 tsp dried chamomile flowers (soothing + calming to the throat)
• Honey to taste (add per cup, not to the pot)

Instructions

1. Simmer
   In a pot, combine cover and steep for 10-15 minutes.
2. Strain well.
   Use a fine mesh strainer or cloth (especially for mullein it can cause throat irritation if not strained well).
3. Store & sip.
   Pour into a thermos or jar. Drink warm throughout the day, adding honey per cup for throat relief.

Why We Love It

This tea is gentle yet powerful, it soothes dry throats, helps break up congestion, and supports the body’s natural healing process. When anyone in our family starts to feel under the weather, a jar of this sits on the counter all day long.

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Honey-Onion-Lemon Cough Syrup

This simple syrup is based on an Amish recipe I tried two years ago, and it’s now something we keep on hand every fall. The ingredients work together to calm coughing fits and coat a sore throat, and it actually tastes good.

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw local honey
• 1 medium onion, sliced thin
• 1 lemon, sliced thin (or 2 tbsp bottled lemon juice if you’re out of fresh)

Instructions

1. Layer onion and lemon slices in a clean glass jar.
2. Pour honey over the top until everything is completely covered.
3. Cover loosely and let sit at room temperature for 8–12 hours (or overnight) until syrupy.
4. Store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

To Use

Take 1 teaspoon as needed for cough or sore throat. You can also stir a spoonful into warm tea.

A Note on Local Honey

Local honey is especially helpful during allergy and cold season because bees collect pollen from the same plants that trigger your allergies. When you eat small amounts of that honey, it can help your body build resistance and ease seasonal symptoms naturally.

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Honey-Fermented Garlic

This remedy might look a little unusual, but it’s one of the most powerful natural antibiotics you can make at home. Garlic and raw honey both have antiviral and antibacterial properties, and together they create a tonic that boosts immunity and supports recovery.

Ingredients

• 1 cup peeled garlic cloves
• Raw honey to cover

Instructions

1. Place peeled garlic cloves in a clean glass jar.
2. Pour raw honey over the top until all cloves are submerged.
3. Cover loosely with a lid to allow gases to escape.
4. Stir or tip the jar daily for the first week.
5. Let ferment for 2–4 weeks at room temperature, then store in a cool, dark place.

To Use

Take one clove daily during cold and flu season or a spoonful of the honey at the first sign of illness.

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Tips for Your Home Apothecary

• Use high-quality herbs. Purchase from trusted herbal suppliers or grow your own. We use https://mountainroseherbs.com/ for many of our products.
• Label everything. Include the date, ingredients, and instructions so your remedies are always ready to use.
• Store properly. Keep jars in a cool, dark place and refrigerate recipes with fresh ingredients.
• Start small. Build your apothecary slowly and learn as you go.

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Recommended Reading

If you’re just starting to explore herbal care, one of my favorite resources is The Forgotten Home Apothecary. It’s full of approachable, old-fashioned remedies and a wonderful place to begin your journey into herbal wellness.

Shop The Forgotten Apothecary Book Here → https://amzn.to/3X1K3fw

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Final Thoughts

Making herbal remedies is about more than staying healthy — it’s about slowing down, connecting with the rhythms of the season, and caring for your family in a hands-on, intentional way.

These simple recipes — a flu tea, fermented garlic, and honey-onion-lemon cough syrup — are staples in our home apothecary each fall. They remind me that wellness doesn’t have to be complicated; sometimes the best medicine really does come from the kitchen.