Ms Bear's Super Winter Tonic

 It's sure starting to feel like winter here in Wisconsin and I've been making  some winter herbal tinctures and an immune boosting tonic.

With the high cost of supplements and vitamins, why not make some remedies of your own for a fraction of the cost!

Most of these items can be found at the grocery store, and if you’re a gardener, you can plant some depending on your climate. I grow lots of Cayennes, onions, and horseradish, and I planted some garlic this fall.

This tonic is a natural antibiotic, also used to boost the immune system for the cold and flu season. I personally love the taste and have been known to use in cooking as well!

Here’s my tried and true recipe I've used for several years... I call it Ms Bear’s Super Tonic.

Start chopping & grating:

6 Garlic Cloves crushed and chopped

½ Cup grated Ginger Root 

½ Cup Onion chopped

¼ Cup Horseradish grated

¼ Cup Cayenne peppers chopped

Place in a quart jar and fill up to two inches from top with apple cider vinegar. Cover, label and date.

Store this mixture in a dark, cool cupboard for 2 weeks, but shake this jar each day; then strain out herbs and save the liquid. This is pretty concentrated, dilute with water to taste. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated, but I sometimes do to make it last longer. I make a new batch every fall.

You might be wondering why I use these ingredients so I have listed the medicinal properties of this winter tonic below.

Garlic (Allium Sativum) has many well documented health benefits including reducing cholesterol & triglycerides in the blood while increasing good cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, improving circulation, preventing yeast infections, cancers, colds, and flu. It’s also effective against many fungal infections, used to expel worms, and used in controlling mild diabetes. Eating a clove of garlic a day for several months has a significant blood thinning effect. Herbalists consider it to be a first rate digestive tonic and also to treat a toothache or earache.

Ginger RootGinger root (Zingiber officinalis) increases bile secretion and tones the bowel. It has antibacterial, antifungal, pain-relieving, antiulcer, & antitumor properties. It has been shown to reduce the stickiness of blood platelets and may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, as well as reducing cholesterol and arterial plaque. It has also been used to reduce morning sickness and nausea, including motion sickness. Ginger also relieves the pain of rheumatoid arthritis by stopping the immune system’s production of inflammatory leukotrienes.

Onion (Allium cepa) has a diuretic, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory action. Onions are also said to be an herbal analgesic, an expectorant, and to have anti-rheumatic properties. Circulation in the body is also benefited by consuming onions. Remedies from onions are used in the treatment of various infections such as colds, flu, and persistent coughs. The onion is similar to garlic in the nature of it’s medicinal actions.

HorseradishHorseradish (Cochlearia Armoracia) is a diuretic, antiseptic, and a powerful stimulant, whether taken internally or applied externally. Eaten with oily fish or rich meat, by itself or steeped in vinegar, or in a sauce, it acts as a stimulant to the digestive organs and helps complete digestion.

 Cayenne peppersCayenne (Capsicum Annuum, C frutescens) contains capsaicin, which acts as a restorative digestive tonic. Capsaicin also can lower your LDL cholesterol along with reducing triglyceride levels. In addition, it can help clear up congested bronchial tubes or a stuffy nose. Despite popular misconceptions, hot peppers do not cause ulcers or gallbladder problems. Cayenne is a major circulatory stimulant, its influence reaching every organ. It’s useful to ward off chills and at the onset of a cold. It causes sweating and supports the body’s immune system, is rich in Vitamin C and is antibacterial.

Apple Cider Vinegar has been used for allergies (including pet, food, and environmental), sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux, sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and gout. It breaks down fat and is widely used to lose weight. It has also been reported that a daily dose of apple cider vinegar in water helps to get high blood pressure under control.

Enjoy this recipe! I’d love to hear your comments & results of this easy home remedy!

(This information is not intended to replace your regular medical care. Please use caution whenever using herbs that you are not familiar with, or if you are pregnant, nursing, or using medications)



Comments

[Bridget]

Hi there. Just paying you a visit ~ loved looking at the pics of all your animals! I'm coming back when I have more time to read up on some of your other herbal recipes. Good stuff! Stop by and visit soon. :)
Bridget