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Healing During Flu and Cold Season With Nature’s Powerful Ingredients
Published October 15, 2015 | Health, Holistic Health
Story Highlights- Herbal remedies have always been used in many cultures for centuries to assist in healing from common illnesses.
- The master tonic is a homemade remedy that has served as a natural antibiotic and antiviral.
- In nature, there are plants, fruits and other foods that contain ingredients with preventive and healing properties..
A popular traditional remedy, known as a vinegar or “master tonic,” is a homemade mixture of immune-boosting and antimicrobial herbs. Master tonic is used to help prevent infections and some people like to take it daily. The fresh ingredients and nutrients in the tonic are designed to kick start the immune system to resist or heal from illness.
What is the Master Tonic?
The master tonic’s basic formula dates back to Medieval Europe. It usually consists of seven basic ingredients that serve as a natural anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasitical and anti-fungal formula. Although there are several variations of this tonic, the base ingredients include apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, horseradish root, onions, habanero peppers and turmeric.Additional ingredients such as lemon and honey can also be added to taste. The tonic is prepared by blending everything together and leaving it to ferment at room temperature in an airtight jar for three to four weeks. At the end of the fermentation period, the liquid is strained off and moved to the fridge for storage. It can be taken as a daily tonic or as needed.
Health Benefits of the Vinegar/Master Tonic Ingredients
Following is a summary of the healing properties and health benefits of each of the natural ingredients in the master tonic.Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is made using apples through a long and slow fermentation process producing rich bioactive components such as acetic acid, gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin and caffeic acid, which results in potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.1 The presence of probiotic bacteria in apple cider vinegar is believed to promote a healthy intestinal tract that aids to boost the immune system. Furthermore, the malic acid in apple cider vinegar is a strong antiviral that has the ability to prevent seasonal colds and viruses.2
Garlic
Garlic, particularly in its raw form, has been praised for its healing power and medicinal uses for centuries. It is a natural antibiotic that contains over four hundred different vitamins, mineral components and antioxidants, all of which have several therapeutic properties. It is rich in phytoncides such as allicin which has a in a strong bacteriostatic effect that helps cure infections at a faster rate.3
Ginger
Ginger has been used for medicinal purposes among many cultures for thousands of years. It is very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. Ginger is an excellent carminative (a substance which fosters the elimination of intestinal gas) and intestinal spasmolytic (a substance which soothes the intestinal tract).4 It also contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. This perhaps explains why osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients experience lesser levels of pain in their mobility when they consume ginger regularly.4
Horseradish Root
Laboratory tests have shown horseradish to contain antibacterial, antibiotic, anti-parasitic, anti-anemic and aperient properties.5 It has a high sulphur content, which likely contributes to its antibiotic properties. When used with other herbs, horseradish has been shown to help in healing from bronchitis, cellulitis, influenza, impetigo, pneumonia, sinusitis and strep throat.5 Various components in horseradish known as isothiocyanate and sinigrin are found to have antioxidant characteristics that strengthen the immune system and stimulate the production of white blood cells—the body’s main line of defense.5 Horseradish also has high levels Vitamin C, which boosts the immune system.5
Onions
Onions are rich in sulfur—the compound that is responsible for their strong odor.6 Sulfur is a powerful detox element that assists the body to release toxins. Foods naturally high in sulfur also help the body to detox from heavy metals like lead, arsenic and cadmium.6 Sulfuric compounds in onions play a role in cancer and heart disease prevention; therefore, act as an excellent immune-boosting food for general disease prevention.6
Habanero Peppers
Habanero peppers are one of the spiciest peppers. Unripe green habaneros contain a significant amount of Vitamin C, much more than a serving of citrus fruit.7 Vitamin C is known to heal wounds and keep the immune system functioning normally. Capsaicin is the primary compound in habanero peppers. It stimulates blood flow throughout the body, which helps to relieve congestion usually associated with cold and sinus infections.7
Turmeric
A compound found in turmeric known as curcumin, is responsible for its bright color and a whole host of the health benefits attributed to the spice.8 Turmeric is considered a natural antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory in Ayurvedic medicine.9 It increases protein levels in the body that can protect the immune system from pathogens that attack it. Curcumin also possesses strong antiviral properties that have a direct effect on fighting influenza infections.9
While each of these ingredients provides their own unique health benefits, combining all of them into a master tonic creates a powerful remedy used in many cultures for healing and illness that should not be underestimated.
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