NATURAL PLANT-BASED REMEDIES

• HONEY THYME COUGH SYRUP Ingredients • 2 tablespoon fresh thyme • 1 cup water • ½ cup raw unpasteurised honey

In a small saucepan bring the water to the boil. Remove from the heat, then add the thyme and cover with a lid to steep. Leave for 20 minutes or longer. Strain the liquid, then whisk in the honey until combined. Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 months.

• SWEDE COUGH MIXTURE

Slice the swede into slices about 10mm thick and layer in a small jar. Sprinkle over brown sugar as you go and leave for a few hours or overnight. A thick syrup will form. Take a teaspoonful as you need it.

• HORSERADISH COUGH SYRUP

You can buy horseradish root in some specialty stores, so why not make this old-fashioned cough syrup? Simply grate a horseradish root into a small glass and cover with sugar. Leave for 24 hours and strain off the liquid that has formed. Keep the liquid in the refrigerator and take 1–2 teaspoons for a damp, phlegmy cough. It will keep for 3 months.

• GARLIC BRANDY SYRUP

Put 3– 4 garlic bulbs and 100ml of brandy in a glass jar. Store in a dark cupboard for 2 weeks. Take ½ teaspoon several times a day as needed.

• GLYCERINE COUGH MIXTURE

Mix together 3 teaspoons glycerine, 1 teaspoon eucalyptus oil, ½ teaspoon vinegar and 2 teaspoons honey. Mix well. Take 1 teaspoon as needed.

• CHEST RUB

With winter setting in, it pays to be prepared for colds and flu, and there’s nothing more soothing than a rub to put on chests and feet before bed. Ingredients • 50g beeswax • 200g shea butter • 75g almond oil • 25g cocoa butter • 10g coconut oil • 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil • 20 drops peppermint essential oil

Put all of the ingredients in a double boiler, or place in a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Slowly heat until the beeswax has just melted, then remove from the heat. Do not allow the mixture to boil.

Pour into small glass jars with lids while the mixture is still warm.

• CLOVE FOOT POWDER

Cloves can be very beneficial for your feet. Make up this powder to keep feet fresh and combat athlete’s foot. Ingredients • 1 cup dried sage leaves

• 1 teaspoon whole cloves

Place the leaves and cloves in a coffee grinder or similar. Process until fine and then sprinkle the powder onto feet or into socks daily.

• BLISTER OIL

Blisters can be painful, but I get them less often now that I am no longer trying to squeeze my feet into high heels. Try this treatment next time you get one; it was great when I got a blister on my hand from digging in the garden. It makes the blister less painful and also makes it heal faster. Simply apply 1 drop of lavender oil and 1 drop of chamomile oil to the blister. Pat in thoroughly and leave to dry.

• TURMERIC HEALING OINTMENT

I have used this simple ointment to heal so many cuts and scrapes. When I had a nasty breast infection this was the ointment that finally cleared it up after many antibiotics failed. It is my go-to healing ointment for the pets as well. Ingredients • 1 teaspoon coconut oil

• 1 teaspoon grated fresh turmeric root Combine the ingredients and apply to the infection.

TIP: If you can’t find fresh turmeric you can sometimes get it dried in health stores. Or use turmeric powder.

• PLANTAIN STING RELIEF

Plantain, which is a weed that grows wild all over New Zealand, can be used as first aid for sting relief.

Simply rub the fresh leaves hard between your hands until some juice is produced, then drop this onto the bite. Do not rub, as this will aggravate the area.

• MASSAGE OIL FOR SORE MUSCLES Are you finding exercise is leaving you stiff and sore? Make up this soothing oil and put it on morning and night to ease the pain.

Ingredients • 15ml olive oil • 5 drops ylang-ylang essential oil • 5 drops ginger essential oil • 3 drops nutmeg essential oil • 2 drops rosemary essential oil

Mix all the ingredients together and keep the mixture out of direct light. ✤