Kitchen Remedies for Immune Support

Submitted by RonM_ASun, 02/19/2012 - 8:54pm

Kitchen Remedies for Immune Support

 

Fire Cider (makes 1 quart)

Recommended for colds, sore throat, upper respiratory infections, overall immune health and to stimulate digestion.

Recipe:

  • 1 head of garlic

  • 3 inch piece of fresh ginger root

  • 2 whole dried cayenne peppers

  • slightly less than 1 quart of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (I recommend Braggs)

  • glass quart jar

Chop garlic, ginger and cayenne (keep the seeds!) and put in a glass quart jar. Fill the jar with vinegar, cap. Let sit for 4-6 weeks, out of direct sunlight. Shake daily.

To use:

  • Take about a shot, 1-3 times daily when you might be getting sick, are sick, or have been recently exposed. You can take it when you are healthy too, to stimulate digestion and give your immune system a boost! Mix with hot water and honey for a milder experience, take straight, or use in salad dressing or stir fry. **DON’T TAKE ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

 

Herbal Actions:

Garlic

  • Antimicrobial, antifungal. Can be used topically or internally. Excellent digestive aid. Stimulates immune activity. Improves circulation. Lowers cholesterol.

Ginger

  • Antimicrobial. Excellent for digestive health and to calm an upset stomach. Alleviates nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness. Improves circulation. Decongestant. Tonic for reproductive health in both male and female systems.

Cayenne

  • Antimicrobial. Circulatory and digestive tonic. Heart strengthening. Warming.

Elderberry Syrup (1 quart)

Recommended for colds, flus, overall immune health, and to open the heart cakra.

Recipe:

  • handful of dried or fresh elderberries (dried are more potent so you need fewer)

  • 4 cups of water

  • ginger root if you want

  • 2 cups of honey

Put berries and ginger in water in a pot on the stove, cover and bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer and let simmer until approximately half the liquid has evaporated (will take an hour or so). Remove from heat, strain liquid to remove elderberries, mix with honey and put in the jar. Keep refrigerated. Will keep for about 3 months.

To use:

  • drink straight, add to tea as a sweetener, use in the place of honey in cooking. You can’t really go wrong with this one. I like to drink a half shot or so every morning just to connect with the plant and open my heart to the day. You can also eat the berries themselves, but they MUST BE COOKED. They are not digestible raw and can cause an upset stomach.

 

Herbal Actions:

  • Diaphoretic (helps to sweat out a fever). Immune strengthening. Remedy for cold, flu, and fever. Heart opening.

  • **Both recipes provided by Nushi (Elena) Wertenbaker at the Skill Share School, Feb. 18, 2012

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