Here is an potent herbal formula ~ with zesty, spicy flavours ~ that offer relief from cold & flu symptoms, and is a natural antibiotic. Make this easy recipe in the early fall when onions and garlic are fresh from the garden or farmer’s market. Plan to use this preventatively throughout the winter season or at the first sign of cold or flu.
Be prepared ~ this is a strong remedy but you actually get used to the flavour! Using this preventatively you may not have to even worry about colds this season…it really works. Garlic is a powerful antibiotic, antioxidant and is antifungal as well as cholesterol and blood pressure-lowering.
Horseradish: ask at farmer’s markets for fresh horseradish root as you likely won’t have it in your garden.(it’s a mad spreader!) Chop when fresh or the root gets too hard to cut. If you can’t find horseradish, the formula will still work very well without it.
Ingredients
20 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/3 c fresh horseradish, grated while fresh
1/4 c fresh gingerroot, peeled and sliced
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1 q raw apple cider vinegar
Directions
Place all prepared ingredients into a 1 quart wide mouth glass jar, so it’s about 1/4 full.
Fill to top with apple cider vinegar and cover with waxed paper or parchment paper, then screw on lid. (otherwise vinegar rusts the metal lid)
Leave on counter for at least 3 days in order for flavours to develop. Shake daily.
There is no need to strain and bottle this unless you want to. The flavour keeps getting better and bolder the longer the formula is allowed to steep.
Take a tablespoon once a day during the winter to build up your immune system, or at the first sign of a cold or flu take 2 Tbsp with a warm water chaser. Rinse mouth after swallowing, then repeat once or twice daily for the duration of the illness. You should feel your sinus and bronchial passages quickly open up and your breathing become easier.
For a sore throat try gargling with a tbsp of the formula for 60 seconds, spit, then rinse out your mouth thoroughly.
