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Master Tonic for colds and Flu season
Get rid of your symptoms fast!
by Karen Brennan, MSW, NC, Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition (candidate)
This blend is a powerful mixture of antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and antiviral components. Use fresh and organic ingredients for this recipe. This is not only good for colds and flu but can help with infections that are resistant to antibiotics. Since it is food based it is safe for children, just adjust dosage based on their size.
You will find many variations of this recipe all over the web but the ingredients are always the same. I have included the recipe that I use.
I will tell you it is very, very pungent as you can see from the ingredients list. But taste wise it is not as bad as I thought.
After traveling over the holidays, being around mass amounts of people in tourist areas, receiving stressful news on Christmas eve, not taking my supplements on the trip, no exercise, couldn’t get comfortable in the bed while away and not sticking to my regular diet created the perfect storm for me to get run down and get sick. I noticed it the first day back from our trip. I took 2 tablespoons of the master tonic four times on that first day that I had a headache, runny nose and cough, along with 1,000 mg. vitamin C every hour for several hours and by bed time I was already feeling much better and by the morning no cold symptoms but did have a little fatigue. So yes, I really think this tonic does work!
It did upset my stomach a little bit so I took it the following times with food. I tried to swish it but due to cold sensitivity on my teeth I was not able to so next time I will need to let it sit at room temperature. I had my honey ready and so chased it with ½ t. of raw local honey and then just a couple sips of water.
Ingredients
- 3 inch piece gingerroot
- 3 inch piece of fresh horseradish root, peeled
- 2 lg. organic white onions, peeled and quartered
- 3 large heads of garlic peeled-yes, I said heads not cloves!
- 8-10 organic hot peppers stems removed
- 2 T. turmeric
- 1-32 oz. bottle of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar.
Directions
- wash and shop all ingredients, then place into a high power blender
- add the ACV and blend until smooth
- pour into a large glass jar such as a mason jar (I needed 2 large jars)
- Cover with lid and place on your counter and cover with a towel.
- shake this once daily
- Let sit for 2 to 4 weeks on your counter, covered. (some websites say keep for 2 weeks, others say for 4 so I kept mine at this step for 4 weeks)
- Strain through a mesh strainer into another jar.
- Store in the fridge-some sites say it lasts indefinitely and others say it lasts for 2 years.
Note: after it was strained, it filled up one jar. Do shake before use as some ingredients will settle at the bottom of the jar.
Health benefits of the ingredients
- Ginger: this has a warming effect on the body which causes us to sweat and to expel toxins. It also is known to soothe the gastrointestinal tract. It can enhance blood flow so if you are on a blood thinner, talk to your doctor before taking the Master Tonic.
- Horseradish: anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, clears up sinuses
- Onions: they are a rich source of quercetin which has anti-viral, antibiotic, anti-fungal and anti-cancer properties.
- Garlic: anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Starting to see the pattern here? This can also thin the blood so talk with your doctor as well if you are on blood thinners before drinking the Master tonic.
- Hot peppers: they are anti-inflammatory and aid with digestion. The main ingredient that gives them their anti-inflammatory properties is the capsaicin.
- Turmeric: anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer properties, used to reduce pain
- Apple cider vinegar: helps the body to expel toxins, helps with acid reflux, said to cure a cold, gargle with for sore throat, anti-fungal, balances PH, balances blood pressure and much more!
How to take
- Take 1 to 2 tablespoons two to three times daily when you feel a cold or flu coming on. Swish it in your mouth before you swallow. Don’t dilute it with water but you can add some raw honey to the mixture as it is strong and pungent. (add honey as long as they are older than one year of age)
- if you are already sick you may need to take it more than 3 times per day
- for mild colds, one to two tablespoons may do the trick
Sources
Axe, J. (nd) 20 unique apple cider vinegar uses and benefits. Retrieved from draxe.com
Fassa, P (11/1/13) DIY supernatural cold, flu and plague tonic elixir. Retrieved from naturalnews.com
Openshaws, R. (nd) Make this mater tonic…for viral and bacterial infections. Retrieved from greensmoothiegirl.com
realfoodrn.com
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