Besides spring time, fall is my favorite time of year. It’s a time for change, going inward, and making a cozy and warm winter nest. It’s also the time of year that colds and flus get us down. In addition to eating a whole foods, antioxidant rich diet, protect yourself with the power of natural remedies! Nature is abundant and generous in providing for us in times of sickness. Simple home remedies are a good first line of defense; try them before you go for the stronger pharmaceutical stuff. Garlic, ginger, turmeric, lemon grass, chili peppers, Echinacea, and many more plants and herbs add to nature’s medicine chest. Water, rest and time are also effective and natural healing aids.
This year, along with miso and fresh juices (green lemonade), I have added fire cider to my medicine chest! “What is this fire cider?” you ask. It’s all the rage! A new remedy that is sweeping the land and helping to prevent head colds near and far! It has all the powerful herbs and spices you can gather together, as well as apple cider vinegar. When combined and given time to infuse , VOILA, you have a powerful remedy that also happens to be delicious. You can take it by the spoonful when you are fighting a cold or flu, take it daily (a TBL a day) or use it in dressings, as a hot sauce or added to soups. I had the beginnings of a sore throat the other day and took a couple of spoonfuls and it went away. It’s good stuff, and you can make it simply at home. Although the preparation is simple, it takes about a month to complete the process so you might want to get started right away.
Here is what you do:
*Gather together as many of these ingredients you can find at your grocery store: fresh ginger, turmeric, garlic, onions, chili peppers or jalapeño, parsley, rosemary, horseradish, lemongrass, lemon, orange and thyme. Customize your creation for your taste preferences by using whatever amounts you would like of each ingredient. If you don’t want it very spicy just omit or use less of the hot peppers or jalapeños.
*Wash and roughly chop all ingredients. Put the ingredients in a clean wide mouth quart jar, packing it full.
*Pour raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to the top of the jar. Place a piece of parchment paper under the lid if you are using a metal lid, so the vinegar doesn’t corrode the metal lid. Shake well. Keep the jar on the counter and shake daily or as often as you remember.
*After about 4 weeks, separate the vinegar and discard herbs and vegetables. Store the medicinal vinegar in a clean jar with a lid in the fridge or on the counter.
*Take one to two spoonfuls of the vinegar daily, adding honey and lemon if desired.
Enjoy your homemade cold and flu remedy. Use it as a first line of defense to give your body a chance to heal naturally. Use this remedy along with a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, exercise and adequate water. Enjoy the benefits of staying healthy, so you can really enjoy this beautiful fall season, hopefully without the unwanted side effects of pharmaceuticals!
