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Make Your Own Super Healing Cold And Flu Tonics: 3 Fantastic Recipes You Will Love
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2. Grandma’s Cold and Flu Tonic
This recipe is so simple that you probably have everything you need right in your kitchen. This is a terrific recipe that is even good for kids.
Ingredients:
- Fresh lemons (thinly sliced, seeds removed)
- Ginger root (sliced into thin pieces)
- Raw, organic honey
Instructions:
Using a Mason jar or similar container, pour a layer of honey in the bottom of the jar. Add a couple of lemon slices and a few ginger slices, and then cover with more honey. Continue to layer in this manner until the jar is about three quarters of the way full, or you run out of ingredients! Finish with a thick layer of honey, and then put on the lid. If your jar has a metal lid, you might want to put a layer of plastic wrap or a piece of wax paper between the lid and your tonic. You can start consuming this right away or allow it to sit overnight. If time allows, let this sit overnight (or longer) for best results. Many people like to make this just before the holidays, and keep it in the fridge for later use. You can add this honey to your herbal teas or simply take a teaspoon at the first sign of a cold or flu.
3. Vinegar Cold and Flu Tonic
This one takes some time to get going as you are going to ferment some of your kombucha. This is definitely a make ahead of time recipe, but it is great for improving the immune system as well as helping kill off cold and flu viruses.
This recipe makes about two and a half cups, and unless you live alone, you will want to make a double batch or start another one as soon as this one is ready. You’ll want to have plenty on hand all winter long.
First, you will need to make kombucha vinegar. This is pretty darn easy. Put two and a half cups of kombucha in a container and seal it. Shake the container once each day for four weeks. That’s it! It’s ready! Once you have your kombucha vinegar ready, you can start making this recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups of kombucha vinegar
- 2 ounces of fresh ginger root, grated
- 2 ounces of fresh horseradish, grated (be careful as this is much more powerful than onions!)
- 1 medium white onion sliced
- 3 ounces daikon radish, grated (if you can’t find daikon, regular radishes are okay)
- 4 cloves of organic garlic, diced
- 1 large jalapeno pepper, diced
- ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder (or 2 ounces of fresh turmeric root, grated)
Instructions:
Take a one quart jar, such as a Mason jar, and put all ingredients inside. Again, if you have a metal top, put a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap between the lid and the contents. This helps to stop the metal from corroding. Put the lid on tightly, and give it a good shake. Put the jar in the refrigerator and give it a good shake once each day. Leave the jar in the refrigerator for at least two weeks. You can leave it there longer if you like. Don’t forget to give the jar a shake once or twice a day. Once you decide to start using your tonic, strain it over cheesecloth and store your tonic in the refrigerator. This is definitely not a recipe for children! Take a shot every morning to prevent the flu from taking hold or take a shot (yes, we mean a full shot glass) each morning and night if you should come down sick. This will really warm you up on those cold winter days!
READ ALSO: Terrific Cold and Flu Fighting Recipes, Including a Unique One for Fire Cider
You can also add other herbs to these tonics to increase their healing power, including goldenseal, Echinacea, or ginseng.
Enjoy the winter weather and the family time that comes with the holidays, but be prepared for an unexpected bout with the flu by keeping one of these tonics on hand.
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