Homemade Health

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

KICK THE COUGH

This DIY cough syrup combines lemon, honey and thyme for the perfect blend to kick the cough. With simple ingredients, this blend is easy to make and soothing for sore throats.

Ingredients:
Fresh thyme sprigs
2 cups of water
1/2 cup honey
1/2 lemon chopped

Directions:
Place the lemon in the jar and cover with the honey. The honey will macerate the lemons and draw out liquids. Toss the thyme leaves into a saucepan and cover them with the water. Bring the water to a simmer and reduce it to half, about a cup of tea. When the tea is reduced and cooled a bit, strain the sprigs and leaves, add it into the jar. Give it a shake and use a spoonful as needed. Store your homemade cough syrup in the refrigerator for about a month.

DIY HAND SANITIZER

This simple DIY hand sanitizer is the perfect way to eliminate harmful bacteria without terrible toxic ingredients. The added bonus is that without alcohol, this formula won’t dry out your hands.

Ingredients:
2 oz. amber spray bottle
10 drops essential oils
10 drops witch hazel
5 drops vitamin E
5 drops aloe vera

Directions:
Put the ingredients listed above in your spray bottle, with the exception of the water. Shake to mix, then add water to fill up the bottle. Shake before using. These essential oils have anti-bacterial properties: tea tree (use sparingly), eucalyptus, peppermint, orange, lemongrass and lavender.