The last three days I’ve been battling a pretty nasty cold. It seems that I’m not the only one, as the Southern Hemisphere has been blessed with a particularly cold and humid winter ( with an occasional balmy day of 27 degrees Celcius here in Sydney just to mix things up a bit and totally confuse our immune systems!) So timely advice, I hope, to share with anyone who would like some natural and effective relief from cold and flu.

Usually I manage to nip things in the bud pretty quickly. I have a pretty efficient repertoire of natural remedies, ranging from an orange/garlic/cinnamon/oil concoction, which is my first choice when I get that first tell-tale twitch or tickle, through to ginger/lemon/honey infusions for set-in colds and congestion.This time however, not much seemed to be working. Some relief, but still feeling pretty rotten. Then looking for something else in the pantry, I re-discovered my jar of Master Tonic, hidden nicely away (had I slightly more energy I would’ve jumped for joy!) I did kick myself for not having remembered it sooner, though.

The Master Tonic is a powerhouse of super foods, most of which you would commonly find in your own pantry or fridge ( except for the horseradish root maybe). Perhaps that’s why I love it so much; such humble ingredients yet so powerful in fighting illness.( I use it mainly for viral and bacterial infection but its properties are apparently capable of more).

I found this recipe a few years back, when I was living in France, studying herbalism and  spending hours on the internet researching absolutely everything and anything under the sun, including natural medicine. It’s best prepared a few weeks before you need it but it keeps for a very long time and if strained, practically forever. I made mine up about a year ago and it’s still coming to the rescue. Speedy recoveries, everyone, and I hope this magical elixir helps to get you all back on track to doing what you love with as much health and energy as possible!

Ingredients: 

Equal parts of :

• chilli  (rich in vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoids that act as antioxidants and pain relievers as well as source of capsaicin which depletes Substance P, the messenger that transmits pain signals to the brain)
• garlic  (anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, immune-boosting, can lower cholesterol)
• onion  (same family as garlic with similar properties)
• ginger  (anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, antioxidant, increases circulation )
• horseradish  (anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial)
• enough apple cider vinegar to cover your ingredients (effective for treating various conditions both internally and topically, with anti-bacterial properties)
• clean glass container

(and organic if possible as you don’t want your liver having to work hard detoxifying your body from pesticides found on conventional produce while your immune system is fighting the viral and/or bacterial onslaught. If not available, wash very well and/or peel where applicable)

Method:

• Wash, clean and/or peel vegetables
• Finely chop them all roughly the same size (remember to wear plastic gloves when handling the chilli especially. OUCHY otherwise!)
• Pour the ACV over the chopped veggies and spices until your container is full (your ingredients should probably fill about 2/3 of the container)
• Close the container or jar and leave to steep for several weeks in a dark spot (I usually have mine in a cupboard or my pantry) giving the closed jar a bit of a shake and turn, preferably daily.

That’s it, extremely simple. At this stage you may choose to strain all of the ingredients and just keep the liquid in a bottle ( most recipes call for this) or if you’re like me and think that more has to be better (or maybe you just don’t feel like straining it all) just leave all of the ingredients in the ACV and strain as you use. I’ve been using it effectively this way. Sicker than usual this time around, I probably have 5 tablespoons per day or even more, sometimes neat and sometimes with some honey and hot water as an anti-viral tea. Less is fine too.

I was going to say, ‘Enjoy’. Hmm, maybe not. It’s not delicious but you sort of get used to its kick and I don’t mind it at all (especially if I’m drinking it as an infusion with some honey) but at least you know the formula is doing its magic! Stay healthy and let me know how you get on with it.