Preparing Your Herbal Apothecary for Winter Wellness

As the cooler months settle in, many of us moms know what’s coming—sniffles, sore throats, and the yearly round of colds and coughs. Preparing ahead with a simple herbal apothecary can help you and your family stay supported all season long.

Today I want to share two of my favorite herbal recipes for winter wellness—fire cider and elderberry syrup—along with one of my own handcrafted remedies, the Throat Coat Elixir, that I keep stocked all winter.

Fire Cider

Fire cider is a traditional herbal vinegar tonic that supports the immune system, warms the body, and helps clear out congestion.

Recipe:

• 1 cup fresh ginger root, chopped

• 1 cup fresh horseradish root, chopped

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 10 cloves garlic, crushed

• 1 jalapeño or hot pepper, chopped

• Zest & juice of 1 lemon

• Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme (optional)

• Raw apple cider vinegar to cover

• Raw honey (to taste, added after straining)

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients (except honey) in a glass jar.

2. Cover with apple cider vinegar, making sure everything is submerged.

3. Cap tightly and let infuse 3–4 weeks, shaking daily.

4. Strain, then stir in honey to taste.

Take a spoonful daily for prevention or more frequently at the first sign of a cold.

Elderberry Syrup

Elderberries are rich in antioxidants and traditionally used to shorten the duration of colds and flu.

Recipe:

• 1 cup dried elderberries

• 4 cups water

• 2–3 slices fresh ginger root

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 3–4 whole cloves

• 1 cup raw honey

Directions:

1. Simmer elderberries, water, and spices for 30–40 minutes until reduced by about half.

2. Strain well, pressing berries to extract liquid.

3. Allow to cool slightly before stirring in honey.

4. Store in the fridge for up to 2 months.

Adults take 1 tablespoon daily for prevention (or every few hours if sick), children 1 teaspoon.

Throat Coat Elixir (My Herbal Blend)

While I love these two classic recipes, I also created Throat Coat Elixir for those moments when sore throats, scratchy coughs, or lingering congestion creep in.

It’s a soothing blend of:

• Elderberry – for immune resilience

• Ginger – warming, stimulating circulation

• Marshmallow root – coating and soothing the throat

• Mullein – supporting clear, healthy lungs

This elixir is deeply comforting and effective for both prevention and symptom relief—something I always keep close at hand for my family.

👉 You can order your own bottle of Throat Coat Elixir here [link to shop] and add it to your winter herbal kit alongside your homemade remedies.

Building a winter apothecary doesn’t have to be complicated—just a few core remedies like fire cider, elderberry syrup, and my Throat Coat Elixir can go a long way in supporting you and your little ones through the season.

Here’s to a healthy, cozy winter!