Friday, May 29, 2009

The Tonic






You are probably wondering just what in the world is THAT in the jar. It is "The Tonic." Some 20 years ago I got the recipe at a meeting of the Austin Herb Society. I have no idea where they got the recipe but I wrote it down. I'm a compulsive note taker and almost never throw the notes away which is how I found the recipe several weeks ago while organizing my old spiral note books.

The ingredients are: 1 cup each of fresh, grated horseradish, chopped fresh ginger root, chopped onion, chopped garlic pods, and about 1/8 of a cup of cayenne pepper. Pour a quart bottle of unpasteurized, apple cider vinegar over the ingredients (Bragg's is best).

Place where sun can get to it a good part of the day, shake one minute every day. Let it infuse for at least two weeks, but three or four weeks is fine. Strain the solids through cheese cloth and bottle the tonic. Take a tablespoon every day. If you feel a cold coming on, take 2 or 3 tablespoons throughout the day. A mild salad dressing can be made with the strained solids by pouring a second bottle of vinegar over them, shake once a day for about two weeks, strain. Viola! You are good to go on your salads.

A quick run down on the ingredients:

Garlic - has antibiotic and antiviral properties.

Horseradish - contains a high concentration of glucosinotates which have shown to increase the liver’s ability to detoxify carcinogens.

Onions - high in Vitamin C and offers same benefits of garlic.

Ginger - aids in digestion, has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

Cayenne - aid in blood circulation and digestion, contains Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

Certified Unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar - antibacterial and antiviral properties, high in enzymes and potassium, helps to relieve arthritis stiffness, and may aid in normalizing weight.

It takes several days to get use to the heat of the cayenne; the first few tablespoons sort of takes your head off, at least that is my experience. Of course, if allergic to any of the ingredients or if on meds that might conflict, don't take it. However, in another couple of weeks, hubby and I will be taking it. :D

Until next time, God bless.

5 comments:

Rae said...

And exactly how many friends do you drive off while using this preparation? LOL

Ziggy Stardust said...

I can't even imagine how strong that would taste with those ingredients. I am going to stick with vitamins but thanks

Annt

Lynn said...

Rae, only very good friends stay around. lol

Chic, it does take some getting use to but then I think of all the good things it is doing. :D

SquirrelQueen said...

No germ or virus would dare hang around after that hit them.

All good stuff, and good for the body, but it does sound like it would take your head off!

SQ

Lynn said...

SQ, that is what I'm thinking - swine flu - ZAP!, a cold - ZAP!, e-coli - ZAP. The first three or four days are pretty rough though. lol