Essential Fall and Winter Herbal Care Kits for Your Family's Wellness
- Ashley Bissonnette-Murphy
- Sep 14, 2025
- 5 min read
As the leaves change color and the air turns chilly, it’s essential to prepare for the upcoming colder months. Typically, fall and winter bring various ailments, including colds, flu, dry skin, and holiday-related stomachaches. One effective way to support your family’s wellness during this time is by creating herbal care kits. You can easily customize these kits to meet your family’s unique needs, making sure everyone stays healthy and comfortable through the winter.
In this article, I will discuss the essential components for your fall and winter herbal care kits and how to use them effectively.
Why Herbal Care Kits?
Herbal care kits are a fantastic way to utilize nature’s power to bolster your family's health. They offer relief from common ailments, help enhance immunity, and encourage overall well-being. Creating a herbal care kit is practical and enjoyable. It can be a rewarding family activity that fosters a deeper appreciation for plants and the ability to care for oneself.
When you are sick, it's great to have convenient herbal care! I suggest making a game plan for yourself, so that even if you can't get out of bed, you have access to your herbal allies.
Key Ingredients for Your Herbal Care Kit
1. Syrups
Elderberry syrup is beneficial for immune support, packed with antioxidants and essential vitamins to help shorten the recovery period. I like to simmer 1 cup of dried elderberries with 4 cups of water, add slices of ginger and a stick of cinnamon. Once cooled, I strain the mixture, add 1 cup of honey, and store it in the refrigerator. Note: If elderberries are inaccessible, try frozen wild blueberries that can be found at most grocery stores.
Wild Cherry syrup is a great option to help relieve unproductive spasmodic coughs. I will usually purchase a premade syrup or a tincture to have on hand. Right now, I really like Wish Garden Serious PM Cough Syrup.
2. Fire Cider
Fire cider is a warming, circulatory, and immune-stimulating treat to have on hand. Take shots (with water if too hot/spicy for you), or add to bone broth, marinades, or simmer with rice. Check out my latest recipe on Instagram! For a premade formula, I like Herbal Revolution's Fire Tonic.
3. Salts & Onions
Salts for gargling infected throats, and onions warmed to the ears for ear infections. I also like Qinton Hypertonic Elixir Liquid Ampules for severe dehydration and a mineral boost.
4. Bone broth
Store-bought or pre-made frozen bone broth is essential; take out as needed. Bone broth, when sick, can be a simple culinary staple to get immune-supportive bone marrow and protein to provide essential nutrients, like the amino acids, to build the immune system. Plus, who wants to cook or sometimes even eat when they are sick - bone broth is a huge help!
5. Herbal Teas, Tinctures & Shooters
Herbal teas are a comforting way to stay hydrated and support your immune system. Including a variety of teas can cater to different needs. Here are some options:
Chamomile: Known to aid relaxation when sickness becomes stressful, and bitter enough to help with stomach issues, including cramping. Tea is great, but another option you can pull right out of your tool kit is Urban Moonshine, Chamomile, and Ginger digestive bitter.
Peppermint: Not only helps with digestion, but it can also relieve cold and sluggish headaches. Best as tea. Another option if severe GI discomfort is at play: Herb Pharm Gastro Calm, or under the new name Gastro Bliss.
Ginger: An excellent choice for warming the body as the cold or other illness begins to set in, and providing relief for nausea and stomach cramping.
Elecampane: offers respiratory support, wet coughs/when needing to break up congestion. Decocted elcampane can be hard to palate, which is why I often suggest a tincture, and for convenience. If drinking a decoction, take a shooter (shot glass) often, and finish with a bite of lemon or orange.
Rose or blackberry root: as a tincture to help stop diarrhea and astring laxity in the GI tract.
This list is by no means exhaustive, and your family may have particular needs, but it is a good place to start!
Create a tea blend by mixing dried herbs, and encourage your family to drink a cup whenever they’re feeling under the weather or need a calming moment. For more on therapeutic tea making, check out my blog: Therapeutic Tea Making.
6. Infused Oil
A must for sinus and ear support: garlic and mullein-infused oil for ear infections. I like Herb Pharm's Garlic & Mullein oil. To use, lying on one side, put 5-7 drops in the ear, relax for five minutes, taking deep breaths, roll to the other side, and let it drain out. Repeat on the other ear.
7. Essential Oils
Essential oils can significantly enhance your herbal care kit by offering various benefits, from aromatherapy to topical applications. Sometimes I prefer to have essential oils on hand if getting out of bed is not an option or when an herbal steam seems too cumbersome. Place a couple of drops on your pillow (onto a pillow case you don't mind oil stains), and inhale. A couple of drops can also be added to your shower floor, let the hot water steam disperse, and inhale the antimicrobials into the lungs. Consider these essential oils:
Lavender oil: Often used for relaxation and improved sleep, antimicrobial.
Eucalyptus or pine oil: Effective for easing respiratory issues and congestion.
Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before applying them to the skin, and check for possible allergies.
How to Assemble Your Herbal Care Kit
Creating your herbal care kit can be a fun, insightful experience for the whole family. Follow these steps to guide you:
Gather Supplies: Collect jars, labels, and the necessary ingredients for your herbal remedies.
Choose Your Herbs: Based on your family's health needs, select the herbs and ingredients you want to include in your kit.
Prepare Remedies: Make elderberry syrup, herbal teas, salves, and any other remedies desired.
Label Everything: Clearly label each jar with the name of the remedy and instructions for use.
Store Properly: Keep your herbal care kit in a cool, dark place to ensure the herbs remain potent.
Tips for Using Your Herbal Care Kit
Educate Your Family: Share the benefits of each herb, teaching your family how to effectively use their remedies.
Stay Consistent: Encourage regular use of the remedies, especially during peak cold and flu season.
Monitor Health: Keep an eye on any symptoms and be prepared to adjust the remedies if necessary. If symptoms persist, consult a healthcare professional.
Natural Solutions for Seasonal Wellness
As the seasons shift, so do your family's health needs. By creating a fall and winter herbal care kit, you provide natural support through elderberry syrup, herbal teas, and soothing broths. These remedies help keep everyone healthy and combat the discomfort of cold months. Happy herbal crafting!
Cheers, your herbalist Ash!
PS. Still not sure where to start, or want assistance, feel free to book a session with me today. For details and to schedule, email me ashley@hwapothicaire.com
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