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    Home » Recipes » Natural Living » Holistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy

    Holistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy

    Published: Sep 5, 2011 · Modified: Jun 10, 2024 by Emily Criswell · I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article · 23 Comments

    More than 50 easy Holistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy plus support your immune system naturally! Boosting your immune system is important if you want to stay healthy plus lessen your chances of getting sick.

    Fresh apples cut in half, fresh sage and herbs, cinnamon sticks, garlic bulbs and lemon slices on a cloth towel. this RECIPE

    When the end of summer hits, people are headed back-to-school and the cold and flu "season" tends to be around the corner.

    That means the holidays are quickly approaching and the commercial industry starts bombarding stores with sugary processed candy and desserts.

    Clean eating, nutrition and decreasing our stress load can be so helpful for health.

    When the season changes and people start consuming large quantities of sugar-laden foods, immune systems weaken and become overworked.

    Boosting your immune system is important if you want to stay healthy. A healthy immune system will lessen your chances of getting sick. If you do get sick, the duration of illness will not last as long and you will recover quicker.

    Now is the time to plan for the season change!

    Holistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy

    Fresh apples cut in half and sliced, cinnamon sticks, fresh sage and herbs, garlic bulbs and lemon slices.

    Stock Your Kitchen with These

    • Organic Lemons – Supportive for cleansing and immune boosting.
    • Organic Garlic – Naturally antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial and known to be supportive for the immune system.
    • Raw Honey – Naturally antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal (not for babies).
    • Coconut Oil – Known for strengthening the immune system, it's naturally antimicrobial and has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.
    • Organic Ginger – Known to support digestive issues and support the immune system (as always, if pregnant, consult with your health care practitioner).
    • Organic Cranberries – Known as a seasonal preventative and known to prevent bacteria from thriving.
    • Dried Thyme – Naturally antimicrobial, make as a tea to help support the immune system, known to help support the respiratory system and the digestive system.
    • Organic Shiitake Mushrooms – Known to have medicinal and immune boosting properties.
    • Elderberry Rose Hip Syrup – Known as a preventative and overall immune system support, plus known for helping prevent the flu and/or lessening the duration of illness.
    • Organic Sea Vegetables like Kombu, Kelp, Nori, Wakame – Full of vitamins and minerals, known to be very nourishing and great added to soups, beans, grains, vegetables, etc.
    • Seasonal Organic Vegetables & Fruits for Juicing – Very cleansing and full of nutrients that are readily available for your body.
    • Lacto-Fermented and Cultured Foods – Full of naturally occurring probiotics which are known to help support the digestive system and help boost the immune system.
    • Bone Broth or Homemade Stocks – Known to be very nutrient-dense and nourishing.
    • High Quality Probiotics – Known to support your gut health. You can find high quality ones here, here and here.
    • Organic Unfiltered Raw Apple Cider Vinegar – Known as an old school remedy, it's known to be naturally antiseptic and antifungal plus known for being very healing.

    Jar tipped over full of dried hibiscus blossoms.

    Stock Your Holistic & Herbal Wellness Chest with These

    • Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Look for California Olive Oil Counsel Seal Certified  high quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil to have on hand for rubs, salves and oils.
    • Bentonite Clay – So many uses and a must have for wellness kits and to have in the wellness cabinet.
    • Dried Organic Herbs & Flowers – Nettle, Rose Hips, Elderberries, Red Raspberry Leaf, Fennel Seed, Chamomile, Catnip, Lemon Balm, Oatstraw, Peppermint, Spearmint, Slippery Elm Powder, Dandelion Leaf, Calendula Flowers, Lavender: great to have on hand, many are great for herbal tea infusions, others are great for medicinal and topical uses.
    • Dried Astragalus Root & Tincture – Known for being immune boosting.
    • Echinacea Tincture – Known for being immune boosting, and it's naturally antimicrobial.
    • Goldenseal Tincture – Very potent, a natural antibiotic. Make sure to take in conjunction with probiotics to help restore good gut flora.
    • Calendula Tincture – Known for being very healing, naturally antiseptic.
    • Elderberry Tincture or Extract – Known as a preventative and immune support, plus known to help with preventing the flu.
    • Cranberry Tincture, Capsules or Concentrate – Supportive during illness, known to help help lessen duration of illness since bacteria cannot grow/thrive with it.
    • Bioplasma Cell Salts – 12 essential cell salts that the body needs, many benefits, very healing, increase w/ illness.
    • Vitamin D – from sources like this, this and this {or food based sources like pastured egg yolks, certain fish like wild-caught salmon and sardines and raw grass-fed milk}.
    • Grass-fed Collagen & Gelatin – Known to help support gut health, dental health, joint health, bone health, build and restore muscle and so much more. It's easy to digest and dissolves easily in cold or warm liquids. My favorite source for gelatin is this grass-fed gelatin. You can also find my favorite grass-fed collagen here. They are the only source I trust because they are 3rd party tested and certified with the Detox Project. BONUS: I have a 10% OFF collagen/gelatin coupon code just for my readers! Just follow the link here and enter NOURISH10 at checkout for 10% off your entire order.
    ***A Note on Tinctures: Glycerin based tinctures are known to not work as well.***
    Young Living essential oil diffuser with amber glass essential oil bottles, cinnamon sticks, cloves, herbs and fresh lemon halves.

    Natural Healthy & Wellness Tips for Your Home

    • Change your filters every 1-2 months, especially when the season changes. Replace with high quality filters that help filter mold, dander, allergens, viruses, etc. If you need to use less expensive filters, make sure to replace them more often, every 1-2 months.
    • Clean ceiling fan blades at least every season.
    • Use natural cleaning products (use code RECIPESTONOURISH) and/or homemade cleaning products, and if you're buying something store-bought, make sure to read ingredient labels and avoid chemicals.
    • Use True HEPA air filtration portable units (not HEPA-Type). This is my favorite, high quality air purifier that is well known for how well they work. I have also used this air purifier in medium size rooms, these air purifiers in bedrooms and these independently tested certified B corporation air purifiers in bedrooms (they also carry larger space air purifiers). Look for one that works best for the size of the room.
    • Vacuum your home at least once a week, every other day if possible. Look for a HEPA vacuum like this.
    • Add indoor house plants to the home to clean the air (only if you don't have a moisture/mold problem in your home).
    • Use waterless nebulizer diffusers with quality, therapeutic-grade essential oils (like lemon, peppermint, lavender, or lemon eucalyptus essential oils) to purify the air. The body will absorb the essential oils too. I only use therapeutic-grade essential oils. Whatever oils you chose, make sure to look for pure, high quality essential oils – many store-bought oils are not pure.
    • Remove ALL commercial-grade scented candles or air fresheners from the home. They are full of toxic chemical and carcinogens. Diffuse these holiday favorites or other blends instead.
    • Open your windows as much as possible to allow fresh air into the home. Outdoor air quality is almost always better than indoor air quality. 

    Dried sage smudge bundle, Young Living lavender essential oil and Stress Away essential oil roll-on bottle, and lots of crystals like rose quartz and amethyst.

    Health & Wellness Tips for Your Mind, Body & Spirit

    • Remember that your body believes what you tell it and it will act accordingly. Talk to your body (seriously!) and tell it want you want to occur and/or thank it for getting your attention. Be positive when talking to your body and be grateful for the messages it sends you.
    • Daily Self-talk – Flood your mind with positive thoughts, peace, joy, happiness and comfort.
    • Do your best to keep balance and harmony with all things.
    • End the day with positive messages to yourself. If you have children, this is an excellent time to talk to them and give them positive messages to sleep with. Tell them that tomorrow will be a happy day, tell them how grateful you are, tell them the things you love about them, tell them that they are happy, healthy, strong, loving and whole. Say the same things to yourself too!
    • When you can, get outside and enjoy the fresh air. If there is sun shining, make sure you enjoy it and soak up the vitamin D. Be out in nature as much as possible. Your body will thank you.
    • Get some form of exercise, our bodies are not meant to be sedentary.
    • Make sure to get plenty of rest. If you do get sick, honor your body by resting and sleeping as much as you need to.
    • Practice self care! It's so important and we all need to do more of this! It can be as simple as making yourself a lovely warming drink or a cup of calming tea. If you have more time, about 30-40 minutes, consider pampering yourself with a detox bath.

    Homemade slippery elm cough drop balls in a bowl and on a plate with a spoonful of honey.

    Holistic & Natural Remedies

    • Raw Organic Garlic + Raw Honey – This excellent remedy comes from my midwives. As soon as you feel illness coming on, mince 1 clove of raw garlic into 1 tablespoon of raw honey, take orally, swallow and chase with a drink if necessary. The garlic is naturally antimicrobial, both antiviral and antibacterial and the raw honey is naturally antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal. This remedy is safe for pregnant moms.
    • Garlic Oil – Known to be supportive respiratory and ear infections.
    • Bone Broth – Loaded with nutrients, and supportive of the immune system. 
    • Cranberry Compote – Great way to get cranberry into your body. Bacteria cannot grow when consuming cranberry.
    • Vitamin C Tea – Full of vitamin C as well as other vitamins and minerals which are all readily available for your body.
    • Thyme Tea – Naturally antimicrobial, strengthens the immune system, and known to help prevent recurrent illness.
    • Herbal Infusions – Make herbal tea infusions with various dried herbs and flowers. Typical infusions steep for a minimum of 30 minutes to overnight. Loaded with vitamins and minerals that are readily available for your body, better than a vitamin/mineral supplement. See here for my Vitamin C Herbal Tea Infusion recipe.
    • Hot Garlic-Ginger Lemonade – Super supportive for the immune system, drink hot and often preventatively and during illness.
    • Elderberry Rose Hip Syrup – Take as a preventative daily. Increase dosage with illness. Known for helping prevent the flu and lessen the symptoms.
    • Echinacea Tincture – Great preventative, boosts your immune system. Take during illness to lessen the duration of illness.
    • Thieves Essential Oil – Place in carrier oil (like olive oil, jojoba or coconut oil) and rub on bottoms of feet before bed and in the morning after bathing. Use in a waterless nebulizer diffuser to help purify the air in the home. I only use therapeutic-grade essential oils. Whatever oils you chose, make sure to look for pure, high quality essential oils – many store-bought oils are not pure.
    • Raw honey – Naturally antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal.
    • Breastmilk – Known for being very healing and full of beneficial properties. Midwives and old school remedies use drops in the eye/ear for infections, drops in nose for congestion, gargle for sore throat, etc.
    • Juicing – Brings balance to the body, very cleansing. Looking for a high quality juicer? Check out this and this. 
    • Slippery Elm –  Great for pesky coughs. Slippery elm is known to help soothe irritations, moisten dry throats and calm coughs.

    Sliced apples, lemon slices, garlic bulbs, cinnamon sticks and fresh sage and herbs.

    Remember, nutrition is key and our body reacts to what we put in it.

    Do your best to eliminate or at least limit processed foods and refined sugars. When you buy food, try to buy organic or food that has been grown using organic practices. You don’t want your body loaded up with pesticides, herbicides and GMO foods.
    Check out local farmers markets and get to know your farmers. If you need help finding some in your area, to find a local farmer or a CSA box delivery, check here: Eat Wild and Local Harvest.
    Nourish the mind, body and soul.
    Be well.

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    Join my Recipes to Nourish – Natural Living Facebook Group – a learning community focusing on Natural Living, Self Care, Wellness + Vibrant Health. Topics include DIY recipes, natural body care, real food recipes, non-toxic living, essential oils, supporting the body, chemical free home + much more.

    Are you on Pinterest? I pin lots of yummy real food recipes, natural living tips + more there. I have a board just for Holistic Health + Remedies too! Come follow along.

    Disclaimer: ALL information you read on Recipes to Nourish is purely for informational and educational purposes only. I love to share and share with love, but I am not a health care practitioner. Information is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. Statements within this site have not been approved by the FDA, meaning information and statements regarding health claims on this blog have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. All blog posts are solely my personal experiences and opinions and should not be interpreted as an attempt to offer a medical opinion. If you have questions about food, diet, nutrition, natural remedies or holistic health, please do your own research and consult with your health care practitioner. For more information please see all of my disclaimers and disclosures. 

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    About Emily Criswell

    Emily Criswell is a chocolate- and sweet treat-loving, holistic-minded, work-at-home, single mom of 4. She's a 4-time cookbook author - The Art of Great Cooking with Your Instant Pot (ranked as an Amazon top 10 new release in gluten free recipes), The Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes (which has sold over 23,900 copies so far), Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot (ranked as an Amazon #1 New Release Best Seller), Low-Carb Cooking with Your Instant Pot , food photographer, homeschooler and the founder of Recipes to Nourish, a gluten-free blog focusing on real food and natural living. Her passion is to make healthy, natural living as uncomplicated and enjoyable as possible. Find Emily’s latest recipes and natural living tips at Recipes to Nourish. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X Twitter and YouTube plus grab her free eBook Holistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy. Read more >> About Emily. 

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Healthy Mamma

      September 06, 2011 at 4:55 pm

      Excellent post!!! I do many of the things on this list and thank you for so many other great ideas.
      I use tea tree oil for several natural cures and ailments. I have a complete article on my blog if your interested.

      Reply
    2. Emily Sunwell

      September 06, 2011 at 6:05 pm

      @ Healthy Mamma, thanks! 🙂 Yes, thank you, I'll have to go check it out. Take care and be well.

      Reply
    3. The Every Day Extraordinary

      September 07, 2011 at 4:21 am

      Bookmarking!!! My son was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and keeping him healthy is paramount! Thanks for the great info!

      Reply
    4. Emily Sunwell

      September 07, 2011 at 4:47 am

      @ The Every Day Extraordinary, thanks, I hope this helps some. Take care. 🙂

      Reply
    5. Roberta

      September 10, 2011 at 2:55 pm

      I love this post! I am just learning about using some of these herbs so it was very helpful. Thanks!

      Reply
    6. Emily Sunwell

      September 10, 2011 at 7:55 pm

      Thank you so much Roberta! That's great to hear. Take care.

      Reply
    7. NaturalFamiLea

      September 12, 2011 at 2:37 am

      Great information!

      Thank you for your submission on Nourishing Treasure's Whole Health Weekend Link-Up.

      Check back on Friday when the new link-up is running to see if you were one of the top 3 featured posts! 🙂

      Reply
    8. Emily Sunwell

      September 12, 2011 at 5:17 am

      @ NaturalFamiLea, thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply
    9. Unknown

      September 14, 2011 at 3:37 pm

      How often and how do you use kelp granules and kombu?

      Reply
    10. Emily Sunwell

      September 15, 2011 at 3:46 am

      @Unknown, I use kelp granules almost daily and kombu whenever I'm making bone broth, soups, chili, pot roast, basically I put it in anything that has liquid in it that I'm cooking.

      Reply
    11. Barb

      October 04, 2011 at 8:51 pm

      Thank you for so much info! I'm pinning it so I can start adding items to my grocery list.

      Reply
    12. Emily Sunwell

      October 04, 2011 at 9:12 pm

      Hi Barb, thanks! Hope it helps some. 🙂

      Reply
    13. Christy

      January 16, 2012 at 2:26 pm

      What a wonderful informative post - I rarely print anything out but I am printing this to keep in the kitchen!

      Reply
      • Emily Sunwell

        January 16, 2012 at 4:52 pm

        Thank you Christy! I hope it is helpful. Be well.

        Reply
    14. Smith Jones

      May 17, 2012 at 11:19 am

      Thanks for including as well as Cod Liver Oil & High Vitamin Butter Oil in your tips. Because those things are used very rarely.

      Reply
    15. Natural Gumption

      August 15, 2012 at 5:30 am

      Informative! Loads of good info, almost overwhelming but with so much to say I guess they have to be long! Thanks for passing out great info!

      Reply
    16. Charles Brawnyson

      May 14, 2013 at 2:56 am

      I feel like holistic health care is one of the best ways to make sure you stay healthy and don't need to use other medicines or surgery. I know it has helped me out a lot.

      Reply
    17. Jack

      September 02, 2013 at 11:20 am

      Thanks for the information!

      Reply
    18. linda spiker

      October 24, 2017 at 12:16 pm

      Great tip after great tip! Love it!

      Reply
      • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

        November 06, 2017 at 3:54 pm

        Thanks Linda! 🙂

        Reply
    19. The Food Hunter

      October 25, 2017 at 9:06 am

      This is a great post. I love the part about talking to your body....so important!!

      Reply
      • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

        November 06, 2017 at 3:54 pm

        Thanks so much! It's a good one to remember and so easy to forget. 🙂

        Reply
    20. Alyse

      February 07, 2022 at 3:43 pm

      Very interesting and helpful article with great holistic tips. Thank you.

      Reply

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