Our Favourite Cold, Flu & Immunity Boosting Go-To’s

When cold and flu season arrives in southwestern Ontario, we naturally lean into what we do best here at Sunnyhill Homestead: 

Growing, crafting, and preparing our own supplies. 

Over the years, these simple, homegrown practices have become our first line of defence. 

A custom cupboard built by my father, perfectly sized to hold our homegrown, dried herbs and winter remedies. You can find more of his creations on instagram @perfect_cut_woodworking

From tinctures to soothing teas, everything begins in the garden.

Below you will find our favourite cold, flu, and immunity-boosting go-to’s. 

They are time-tested, family-friendly staples that support us all winter long.

**As with all herbal remedies, it is advised to consult your care provider to ensure these solutions are right for you.**

Homemade Oregano Oil

From garden to jar. Our dried oregano and homemade oregano oil, a powerful duo during cold and flu season.

Oregano is one of the hardest-working herbs we grow. Once it takes hold in the garden, it returns faithfully each and every year. 

Our homemade oregano oil is a staple during cold season.

We harvest fresh oregano, dry it slowly, and infuse it in olive oil until it becomes a deep, fragrant, powerhouse remedy. 

I will often warm it in a double boiler to help extract more of the medicinal qualities of the herb (while also helping to speed up the infusion), before storing it away for about six weeks.

At the first sign of illness, we take just a couple of drops (yes, single drops - it is powerful!) and continue 3 - 4 times per day until symptoms resolve. 

Thyme Tinctures & Tea 

A dried harvest of thyme for tinctures and tea. One of our favourite immune-supporting herbs.

Thyme may be humble in the garden, but don’t let its small leaf size fool you. We grow plenty of it for cooking, while keeping a good supply for winter tinctures and teas.

A thyme tincture stores well for quick use, but our favourite is hot thyme tea sweetened with a touch of honey. Thyme tea is aromatic, comforting, and is excellent for soothing coughs and congestion.

Our naturopath has suggested that thyme can be even more powerful than oregano as a defence against colds and flu, so using both together can be phenomenal! 

Mullein Tea

A collection of mullein seeds for our free seed library along with dried leaves for tea and herbal remedies.

Mullein grows beautifully here and we’ve made it a focus crop in our seed library because of how helpful it is! 

With its soft, fuzzy leaves and tall summer stalks, mullein stands out in the garden and in the medicine cabinet.

A tall mullein flower stalk growing in the late-summer. You probably recognize it as it is often seen growing on road sides! 

Photo credit: lasocietedesplantes.com

Mullein is our gentle go-to for respiratory support. It acts as natures decongestant, helping to rid lungs of mucous and stop coughs. 

We dry the leaves ourselves and store them in jars so they’re always ready for tea when anyone in the house needs a bit of lung support.

Mullein blossoms are also fantastic and can be infused in oil along with a few cloves of garlic to create a soothing ear remedy.

Our mullein-and-garlic infused ear oil, made from blossoms & garlic harvested right here on the homestead.

Recently, when our oldest son experienced ear discomfort caused by a respiratory virus, we applied a few drops of our mullein ear oil at bedtime. By morning, the discomfort had completely resolved!

We keep many mullein seeds available for free in our seed library for anyone wanting to grow it in their own garden! Be sure to request your seeds here!

Elderberry & Echinacea Tinctures and Syrups

Three large jars of our homegrown elderberry juice. We keep it frozen all year long so we always have it when needed. 

*If freezing in glass jars, don't fill past the neck to allow room for expansion. 

While we grow both elderberry and echinacea on the homestead, we also purchase an elderberry/echinacea syrup recommended by our naturopath for added immune health. 

In my honest nature, I will tell you that our children absolutely prefer the purchased syrup over homemade because it’s far more sweet and makes a pleasant, enjoyable tea that is very kid friendly.

Marco and I, on the other hand, take “shots” of our homegrown elderberry juice whenever we need an immune boost.

Elderberries are rich, dark, and deeply supportive through the winter months. 

Echinacea thriving outdoors. It's both beautiful and incredibly useful for immune-boosting remedies and our native pollinators! Photo Credit: onplants.ca

Echinacea is another favourite that thrives here and comes back year after year. 

Together they make a powerful pair for immune boosting, whether in tincture or syrup form.

*When harvesting Echinacea, be mindful of the plants age. Leaves and blossoms should be harvested after 2 years of age. This allows the plant to grow freely during its first year and gives it time to establish strong roots while reduces stress caused from early harvesting. This also lets the plant self-seed over the winter, helping to naturally expand its population. 

When harvesting roots, the plant should be a minimum of 4 years old. The roots can also be divided at this time and planted in other areas to expand its population. 

Both harvests can be used fresh or dried. 

Homemade Vicks-Style Vapour Rub

Cold nights call for all things soothing, and our homemade Vicks-style vapour rub is one of the most comforting remedies we make. 

This recipe comes from the amazing blog Mountain Rose Herbs. Please check it out here!

Using simple ingredients like beeswax, infused oil, and essential oils, we stir up a chest rub that warms, clears, and helps everyone breathe a little easier.

A step-by-step infographic for our favourite DIY menthol eucalyptus balm - a natural alternative to vapour rub.

Hand Washing (With Our DIY Castile Soap)

One of the simplest and most effective preventive measures? Hand washing. It sounds small, but it’s huge. Especially in a house full of young boys who still need endless reminders of why it is so important!

It is the first thing we do the moment we get home, especially after school!

Our homemade liquid Castile soap. We have reused the same soap bottle for years and years. Our recipe works beautifully in foaming dispensers as it's concentrated and needs dilution.

We make our own DIY Castile soap here on the homestead. It’s gentle, non-toxic, and budget-friendly - perfect for frequent handwashing during cold and flu season. 

And yes, it's foam pump friendly!  

You can find the directions to make it, along with other diy favourites from our Homestead Cleaning Cabinet in our blog post found here!

Growing Our Own Medicine

A snapshot from one of our garden harvests that we shared on instagram in May 2025. Fresh herbs lined up across the kitchen table, ready for drying and preserving.

What makes these remedies truly special is that nearly all of them start right here in our garden. 

By planning ahead during the growing season, we’re able to stock our pantry with herbs that support us all winter long!

Our garden isn’t just for flavour; it’s part of our home's wellness routine. 

Remember, through our free seed library, you can access seeds to grow these same useful plants! You can request your free seeds on our website, Sunnyhillhomestead.com *Canadian Residents Only

Final Thoughts

Herbal remedies don’t have to be complicated. With a garden bed, a handful of seeds, and some simple kitchen tools, you can build your own natural cold, flu & immunity toolkit.

Here on our homestead, these homemade, homegrown remedies have become traditions; ones we rely on year after year, and ones we’re grateful to share with our community.

If you have any questions on how to make any of our favourites listed above, please reach out! You can comment below or message us on our social media platforms: Instagram or Facebook 

Until next time, 

Sarah & The Sunnyhill Homestead Family