With the weather being extremely hot one moment and pouring rain the next, I thought this would be a good time to share some home remedies for handling flu and other common illnesses. (In fact, I can hear my child coughing in the background as I’m typing this!) As mothers, we know the cycle all too well — one child catches a cough, and soon the whole household is sneezing or running a mild fever. Between school, playgrounds, unpredictable weather, and everyday stress, our kids are constantly exposed to germs.
Of course, we go to the clinic when needed, but many of us still trust the gentle, healing power of traditional remedies — especially those passed down by our grandmothers. I grew up with these herbal concoctions and truly believe in their benefits. That’s why I think it’s so useful to have some of these plants growing at home. In Cantonese, we call them “jiong mun hau” plants — which means “guardians of the home.” And that’s exactly what they are.
Here’s a collection of powerful, natural plants to support your family’s health — from boosting immunity to soothing common symptoms — the traditional Malaysian way.
Indian Borage (Daun Bangun-Bangun)
This is what I call a true “mother’s plant” — it’s helpful, reliable, and gentle. Indian Borage, also known as daun bangun-bangun, is a traditional remedy often used for coughs, colds, and phlegm, especially in children.
One simple way to prepare it is by steaming about 8 fresh leaves, then squeezing out the juice and mixing it with honey. It’s great for calming coughs and clearing the chest. Another way is to boil 15–20 leaves in water for around 30 minutes, then add some brown sugar or honey to make a warm, soothing tea.
I personally like to keep a bottle of it in the fridge — it’s cooling for the body and I make it for my family at least once a month, especially when they are feeling a bit “heaty.”
It’s a hardy plant that grows well in a sunny corner and doesn’t need much care — ideal for any busy household.
Mulberry (Daun Mulberi)
Mulberry leaves are packed with nutrients, and they’ve been used in traditional Chinese and Malay remedies to support overall health. For children, mulberry leaves are great for boosting immunity, improving digestion, and even supporting eye health. You can boil the fresh leaves into tea — just add honey to make it more palatable for kids. The fruit, when in season, is a nutritious treat high in Vitamin C and antioxidants. I usually pluck them, wash them, and it keeps well in the fridge, better than the strawberries, and it’s a local fruit. It’s a great addition to yogurt, or you can also make it into mulberry jam.
Mulberry plants grow well in sunny spots and can even be pruned into small bushes for balcony or home gardens. It’s very easy to maintain and thrive well in our Malaysian weather.
Pandan Leaves
Pandan is well-loved for its fragrant flavour, but it also has healing benefits. It helps reduce body heat, supports digestion, and calms the nervous system — making it a go-to remedy for fevers and restlessness. Just boil a few leaves in water, add a tiny amount of brown sugar, and serve it warm or chilled as a gentle herbal drink. I also love to have Pandan as a home plant because it works as a natural insect repellent, and whenever I have the mood to make some ‘tong sui’/dessert, I’ll just pluck them from my garden.
Pandan loves Malaysia’s climate and thrives in both garden beds and large pots. It’s really the most versatile plant any household can have.
Lemongrass (Serai)
Serai is more than just an ingredient in Tom Yum or Nasi Ulam. It’s a natural remedy for fever, bloating, and colds. We usually boil serai with ginger and honey to create a soothing tea. It helps ease flu symptoms and supports digestion, making it a comforting drink for kids who are feeling under the weather. For our household, we usually have this after we all had a big, greasy meal. It feels like it can help detox and make your stomach warm and fuzzy.
You can plant serai using supermarket stalks. It grows quickly in full sun with minimal fuss.
Aloe Vera
For small cuts, rashes, or dry skin, Aloe Vera is a lifesaver. The cooling gel inside the leaves helps with wound healing and skin irritation — perfect for active little ones with the occasional scrape. Sometimes also use aloe in juices (in small, cleaned amounts) for digestion or mild constipation.
Aloe is very low-maintenance, making it ideal for busy (or lazy) people like me 🙂
Basil (Selasih / Tulsi)
Sweet basil and holy basil (also called tulsi) are amazing herbs with many health benefits. They can help boost the immune system, ease breathing problems, and calm the body. A simple basil tea made by boiling the leaves with honey and ginger is a gentle and effective remedy for children with coughs or sore throats.
I don’t usually make basil tea, but I love adding fresh basil leaves to my juices or refreshing drinks. It gives a nice flavour and, of course, adds a healthy touch too.
Basil grows well in pots with good sunlight and regular watering. It’s also lovely to cook with, adding both flavour and wellness to your meals. I don’t usually use basil as herbal tea but everytime I juice, I like to add in some basil to elevate the flavour and of course for its health benefits too.
Rhoeo Discolor (Oyster Plant / Moses-in-the-Cradle)
Okay, I’ll be honest — I don’t have this plant at home right now, but I had to include it because I grew up drinking it, thanks to my grandmother. She used to make us drink it (whether we wanted to or not!) and would always say, “This is good for you!” And honestly, I believe her.
Rhoeo Discolor, with its pretty purple leaves, is often used in traditional remedies to help cool down the body and reduce inflammation. To make it, just boil the leaves with some cane sugar for about 30 minutes and serve them warm or chilled. It’s a mild herbal drink that’s nice to have once in a while.
This plant is super easy to grow, doesn’t need much care, and looks beautiful in any garden. I haven’t come across it in my area lately, but I’m sure it’s still out there somewhere!
Our grandmothers didn’t have pharmacies at every corner, but they had their gardens — full of healing plants and time-tested knowledge. As modern parents, we can blend both worlds. Growing these herbs and plants at home isn’t just practical — it reconnects us with our roots and gives us natural tools to support our family’s health.
With just a few pots and a little love, you can turn your home into a mini healing garden — always ready to care for your family and even yourself. These home remedies are based on tradition, not science, so it’s best to enjoy them in moderation. I usually rotate or take these once a month, not every day. It’s all about balance and keeping things simple, just like how our grandmothers used to do.
Enjoy these home remedies and stay well!
RR