Cold Season Comforts: Lazy Homemaker’s Guide to Simple Herbal Remedies

Cold season has a way of creeping in quietly. One day you’re sipping tea with the windows open, and the next you’re wondering who started sneezing over your cup.

I’ve learned the hard way: I’d rather spend 20 minutes making a few herbal comforts ahead of time than fumble through a 3 a.m. “Where’s the honey?!” hunt. And because I am proudly a lazy homemaker, everything I make has to be simple, effective, and family-approved.

Here’s my low-effort, high-payoff cold season lineup — five things you can make now so you’re ready when sniffles strike.

✨Want to skip the guessing? Our Cold Season Comfort Kit printable includes all five recipes for quick reference. Can be printed and placed in your apothecary binder, or inside each cold season basket.

Made for You If...

• You want to prep for colds without turning into a full-blown herbalist

• You have kids, a partner, or yourself to care for—and zero time when someone’s sick

• You’re looking for simple remedies that actually get used

• You love the idea of DIY but need it to be realistic

What You’ll Come Away With:

• 5 simple things to make now for cold season

• Tips for what to store, label, and keep on hand

• My favorite fast-acting herbal remedies and comfort items

• A printable Cold Season Comfort Kit

1. Immuni-Tea (Make a Big Jar!)

A gentle blend of lemon balm (calming, antiviral), elderflower (immune support, fever relief), spearmint (soothes digestion), and rosehips (vitamin C powerhouse) that even kids will drink.

I keep ours in a pretty glass jar on the counter with a scoop inside — that way, when someone sniffles, all I have to do is boil water.

To Prep:

Mix 1 part each herb in a large mason jar

Add a scoop right into the jar for easy brewing

Steep 1 tbsp per 8 oz water for 5–7 minutes

👉Printable Immuni-Tea recipe here

🛒 I use this airtight glass tea jar with a wooden lid so the herbs stay fresh and look gorgeous on the counter.

2. Honey Lemon Ginger Syrup

This is my first responder for sore throats, coughs, and that “oh no” feeling when a cold might be coming on. Ginger warms and boosts circulation, lemon adds vitamin C and bright flavor, and raw honey coats and soothes.

To Prep:

Simmer sliced ginger in water for 10–15 minutes

Strain, mix with fresh lemon juice and raw honey

Store in fridge up to 4 weeks

👉Full Syrup Recipe with elderberry option

🛒 Glass flip-top bottles make pouring easy and look lovely lined up in the fridge.

3. Steam or Chest Rub

When congestion hits, nothing works faster for us than a eucalyptus-peppermint steam or a chest rub before bed. Eucalyptus clears airways, peppermint cools and opens sinuses, and rosemary boosts circulation.

To Prep a Steam Jar:

Combine equal parts eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, and thyme

Store dry in a labeled jar

Use 1–2 tbsp in a bowl of hot water, tent a towel, and breathe

👉Find this in our Herbal Comfort Recipes Pack

🛒Waterproof jar labels last season after season without smudging.

4. Herbal Immune Gummies (Kid-Approved!)

My sneaky trick for daily immune support when no one wants “tea.”

To Prep:

• Brew strong tea or use glycerites (lemon balm, elderberry)

• Combine with gelatin and honey

• Pour into molds and store in fridge 5–7 days

👉 Full Herbal Immune Gummies recipe here

🛒 These silicone gummy molds make it fun for kids and easy to portion.

5. The Cold Season Basket

This is my lazy homemaker power move. A small basket with everything you’ll need in one grab: tea jar, syrup, tissues, chest rub, a mug, and maybe a paperback.

Pro Tip: Make one for each person and label them. When someone’s sick, you can hand them their basket instead of hunting things down.

🛒Soft-sided bins with name tags keep things organized and easy to carry from room to room.

Labeling & Storage Tips

A little prep now saves confusion later:

• Label jars with name, date, and dosage

• Store dry herbs in airtight glass jars away from sunlight

• Syrups and gummies go in the fridge with a “use by” date

• Keep a scoop inside tea jars for brainless brewing

Final Thought:

Cold season doesn’t have to mean chaos. With just a few jars, a kettle, and a little forethought, you can create a cozy safety net for your family.

You’ll thank yourself when the sniffles start — instead of scrambling, you’ll be pouring tea and settling in with a blanket, knowing you already did the work.

✨Ready to build your own grab-and-go cold season basket? The Cold Season Comfort Kit makes it easy — print, label, and store your remedies so you’re ready the moment sniffles start. Download your kit now!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All content is for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.