Natural Home Remedies for Families (That Actually Work!)

If you’ve ever wished you could skip the late-night pharmacy run and treat common issues with a natural home remedy, you’re in the right place. Over the years, I’ve tested and refined a handful of natural remedies that have become tried-and-true staples in our family. From sore throats to muscle pain, cold sores to UTIs—these are the simple, effective home remedies we use and love. They’re safe, practical, and honestly? Total lifesavers when you need fast relief and don’t want to run to the store.

Whether you’re new to holistic living or already stocking your cabinets with natural remedies, here’s everything we use, how we use it, and what’s actually worked for us in real life.

Be Your Own “Doctor” – A Home Remedies Resource

You need this book. Be Your Own “Doctor” by Rachel Weaver, M.H. has been my not-so-secret weapon for years when it comes to making natural home remedies for my family. My husband (an actual MD!), rolls his eyes at the title, but even he agrees—this book is packed with helpful info.

It covers everything from menstrual cramps to burns to coughs and colds, all shared through Rachel’s real-life stories of raising her nine kids using home remedies. It’s practical, a little old-school, and incredibly empowering.

Soothe a Cough Naturally: Onion Poultice

This one sounds strange, but trust me—it works. I first learned about this home remedy from the book Be Your Own “Doctor”, and it’s become a go-to in our house for nighttime coughs.

Here’s how I do it:

• Slice an onion and heat it in a pan over medium heat.
• Salt both sides and cook until it’s soft (a little browning is totally fine).
• Let it cool slightly (don’t want to burn skin).
• Rub olive oil on your child’s chest, then place the warm onion on top.
• Wrap their chest with a large bandage or cloth to keep the onion in place overnight.

I know it sounds wild, but this home remedy has stopped full-on coughing fits in minutes at our house. It’s like magic from your pantry.

Fast Sore Throat Relief: Honey, Garlic + Cayenne

The moment I feel that telltale throat tickle, I whip up a simple—but potent—DIY sore throat remedy. It’s spicy, garlicky, and weirdly effective. So many of my Instagram followers have reported back about the magic of this home remedy. You just have to try it for yourself.

What you need:

• 2 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 3–4 garlic cloves, chopped or pressed

Chewing the roughly chopped, raw garlic releases allicin (which has so many health benefits), but if that’s too intense for you, using a garlic press will work too. Mix all three ingredients together and take 1 tsp every couple of hours until your symptoms are gone.

Even my kids take this home remedy—I just tone down the cayenne and up the honey. And if this weired mix sounds like a hard no? I get it. Try this Antioxidant Throat Spray instead—it’s gentle but effective. They also make soothing lozenges and lollipops, which my kids love.

My Cold-Fighting Natural Remedy Routine

When a cold really tries to settle in, I don’t mess around. Along with the honey/garlic mix, here are a few other natural home remedies I use to fight it off fast:

• A few drops of doTERRA On Guard down the throat
• Two lung & bronchial capsules and three goldenseal capsules
• A spoonful of fresh grated ginger (not tasty, but it works)
• In a small glass of water:
  • 10 drops grapefruit seed extract
  • 2 dropperfuls yarrow tincture
  • 2 tsp black elderberry syrup

None of these are delicious, but I’d rather power through a bad taste a couple of times a day than persist with a bad cold.

Natural UTI Relief With D-Mannose

If you’ve ever had a UTI, you know how awful it feels. D-Mannose is a supplement I always keep in my cabinet for this. It helps flush harmful bacteria from the urinary tract without antibiotics and works best when taken at the very first sign of discomfort.

Cold Sore Remedy That Actually Works

If you get stress-induced cold sores like I do, you know the warning signs. As soon as I feel that tingle, I grab L-Lysine. This amino acid can be found in foods like meat and legumes, but for cold sore relief, I take it in capsule form or use a topical ointment. The moment I start, the cold sore stops growing and starts healing. I always keep this natural home remedy on hand, especially during stressful weeks.

Bentonite Clay: A Do-It-All Home Remedy

This stuff is a home remedy powerhouse—often nicknamed “the clay of a thousand uses.” I use bentonite clay most often for cuts and scrapes, bee stings, bug bites, and burns—but that’s just the beginning. It’s also great for detox face masks, calming skin irritation, homemade toothpaste, and even a soothing bath when someone’s under the weather. Packed with beneficial minerals and known for its natural detoxifying properties, this is one remedy I always keep on hand.

Topical Pain Relief After Long Days

Whether it’s sore joints, muscle aches, or a stiff back from yard work, this roll-on pain reliever is a lifesaver. I don’t know how it works so fast—but after a long day of landscaping our front yard, this was the home remedy I reached for again and again. I keep one in my nightstand and another in the car, just in case.

Staying Healthy Naturally

These home remedies have been total game-changers for our family, but they’re just part of how I stay healthy. If you want to see the full picture, check out this post where I share the supplements I take regularly, and for a peek at my simple weekly exercise routine, click here. It all works together to keep me feeling my best!