Every year, as the days get shorter and the air turns cold, people start reaching for the old remedies again. Many of these remedies have been passed down for generations, and some now have research behind them too.This week we’re taking a closer look at seven cold-season staples on our shelf. For each one, we’ll cover how it’s traditionally used, what research says so far, and a few common-sense cautions. We’ll finish with one of the coziest ways to slow down this time of year.
Fire Cider: A Warming Folk Tonic
Fire cider is a spicy, tangy folk tonic, and it’s one of the most beloved cold-weather traditions in American herbalism. Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar popularized it in the 1970s, and home herbalists have been making their own versions ever since.
Many people take a spoonful of fire cider every day during cold season, mix it into a mug of warm water, or use it as a zesty splash on salads and cooked greens. It’s spicy and strong, so start with a small amount if you have a sensitive stomach or heartburn.
Garlic and Mullein Oil: A Traditional Ear Oil
Garlic and mullein oil is a traditional herbal ear oil that has been a staple of family medicine cabinets for generations. Garlic contains natural compounds, such as allicin, that have been studied for their antimicrobial properties. Mullein flowers have long been used for soothing comfort.
Research on herbal ear oils is limited but interesting. Small studies in children have found that herbal ear drops containing garlic and mullein eased ear pain about as well as standard numbing ear drops.
To use, warm the bottle in your hands until it reaches body temperature, never hot, and follow the label directions. Ear oil is only for an intact eardrum. Never use it if there’s drainage from the ear, if the eardrum may be damaged, or if someone has ear tubes. Ear pain with fever, swelling, hearing changes, or symptoms that don’t improve within a day or two should always be checked by a doctor.
Breathe Free Essential Oil
This blend can help the lungs open, relieve congestion, and make breathing easier. Essential oils are concentrated, so use the blend as directed and keep it away from your eyes. Some essential oils, including eucalyptus and peppermint, aren’t recommended for babies and young children, so please ask us before using any blend with little ones. For external use only.
Turmeric and Black Pepper: Better Together
Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional cooking. Its best-known compound, curcumin, has been the subject of thousands of studies. The catch is that curcumin on its own is poorly absorbed by the body.That’s where black pepper comes in. Black pepper contains piperine, and a well-known 1998 study found that taking piperine with curcumin increased curcumin absorption by about 2,000 percent. That’s why our formula pairs the two together.
Curcumin has been widely studied for joint comfort and a healthy inflammatory response. Several clinical trials in people with knee osteoarthritis have found that curcumin helped ease joint pain and stiffness. For best results, take it consistently every day.Turmeric is generally well tolerated, but talk with your doctor first if you take blood thinners or diabetes medication, have gallbladder issues or kidney stones, or have surgery coming up.
Adrenal Formula: Support for Busy Seasons
Stress has a way of piling up during the holidays. Our Adrenal Formula is Dr. John R. Christopher’s eight-herb blend, made to nourish the adrenal glands and the wider endocrine system. We hand-encapsulate it in small batches right here in our shop.The formula includes eleuthero, also called Siberian ginseng, which is an adaptogen. Adaptogens are herbs traditionally used to help the body handle stress, and eleuthero has been studied for its role in easing fatigue. The formula also includes licorice root, gotu kola, hawthorn berry, mullein, lobelia, ginger, and cayenne. Each one has a long history in traditional herbalism.
For best results, take the formula consistently for four to six weeks. Licorice root can raise blood pressure, so the formula isn’t recommended if you have high blood pressure or kidney disease or take blood pressure medication. It isn’t for use during pregnancy. If you take medication or manage a health condition, check with your doctor first.
Joy Essential Oil: A Little Brightness for Darker Days
Shorter days and less sunlight can leave many of us feeling a little low. Joy is our uplifting floral blend. It’s made for days when you want your space, or your mood, to feel a little brighter.It combines rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, geranium, bergamot, lemon, tangerine, palmarosa, Roman chamomile, and rosewood in fractionated coconut oil. Aromatherapy is about scent and mood, and some of these oils have research behind them. Citrus oils such as bergamot have been studied in small trials for easing everyday stress and anxiety.
Roll Joy onto your wrists or add a few drops to a diffuser. It contains bergamot and lemon, which can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so avoid direct sunlight on the area for 12 hours after applying. For external use only, and keep out of reach of children.
Castor Oil: An Old-Fashioned Classic
Castor oil comes from the seeds of the castor plant. It’s been used for thousands of years, back to ancient Egypt. It’s thick and rich, and it’s naturally high in ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that gives castor oil its unique properties.
Today castor oil is having a big comeback, especially in the form of castor oil packs. To make one, soak a piece of flannel in castor oil and lay it over your abdomen. Cover it with a towel, add a warm (not hot) heating pad, and relax for 30 to 60 minutes. Research on castor oil packs is still limited, but many people love them as a calming evening ritual.
Castor oil is also a favorite for dry skin, brows, and lashes. Try it on a small patch of skin first. Avoid castor oil packs during pregnancy, and don’t take castor oil by mouth unless your doctor directs you to.
Slow Down Before the Holidays: Ionic Foot Detox
Restocking your herbal cabinet is one way to care for yourself this season. Slowing down is another.Our Ionic Foot Detox is one of the coziest ways to take a break. You sit back in our massage chair with your feet in a warm foot bath with sea salt while an ionizer runs in the water. You can read, scroll, chat, or just close your eyes. We use a fresh liner for every client.
People often ask why the water changes color. The color comes from the salt, the minerals in the water, and the metal ionizer reacting while the machine runs, and it changes even with no feet in the water. We’d rather be honest than oversell it: the color isn’t a readout of what’s in your body. What clients tell us is that the session is warm, calming, and a wonderful excuse to sit still for a while.
30 minutes: $40
45 minutes: $50
Monthly package (four 45-minute sessions): $180
Bring a friend: just $20 more for a second chair.
Drink a glass of water before and after your session. Please skip the foot bath or check with your doctor first if you’re pregnant, have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device, have epilepsy or a seizure disorder, or have open cuts or sores on your feet.
Stop By This Week
We carry all seven of these products in the shop, and we’re always happy to answer your questions and help you choose what fits your routine. Used thoughtfully, with attention to personal allergies and medications, these remedies are a practical way to bring herbal tradition into everyday life. They are not a substitute for medical care in serious situations.Visit simplywildholistichealth.com, call 712-210-3865, or stop by 308 North Main Street in Carroll, Iowa. We’re open Monday through Friday, and Saturday by appointment.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and services are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new herbal remedy, particularly if pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.
