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7 Magical Homemade Herbal Elixirs for Keeping Yourself Healthy

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Jonathon Engels, a long-time vegetarian turned vegan, is currently on a trip from Guatemala to... Read More

Rather than getting mired in discussions over the efficacy of herbal medicine versus a wanton belief in folklore, perhaps it just makes sense to recognize that healthy things are good for us and good at keeping us well. And, we get most of those healthful characteristics from the food and drinks we ingest, much more so than any over-the-counter medicines we take.

With that out of the way, it seems we’ve made plenty of room for discussing how to concoct homemade elixirs and potions that are both fun to create and undoubtedly beneficial to our well-being. They’ll provide of slew of minerals and vitamins and antioxidant compounds and other wondrous nutritional powerplays.

Even better, these are easy to mix up in preparation for the winter months, they store well in the fridge for when they are needed, and they use basic ingredients available at a regular supermarket.

1. Fire Cider Vinegar

For those with easy access to a basket of organic apples, making apple cider vinegar at home is easy and inexpensive. Or, you can just buy some organic ACV at the supermarket.

To make fire cider vinegar, we are infusing the ACV with medicinal powers from several other easy-to-find (or grow) items: cayenne pepper, ginger, horseradish, garlic, and more. Additional ingredients could be rosemary, onion, lemon, and turmeric.

Let it all infuse for a few weeks. It can be taken by the spoonful or enjoyed like a cocktail.

2. Elderberry Syrup

Elderberries are renowned for their immune-boosting qualities, and one of the most popular ways to access them is through elderberry syrup. Elderberries can be foraged from the wild, or growing elderberry shrubs is also an easy, productive undertaking.

To make syrup, it’s simply a matter of getting some elderberries (dried is an easy option for those without a shrub), water, and organic maple syrup. Some people add other medicinal ingredients like cinnamon, ginger, and/or clove.

3. Herbal Teas

There are dozens, hundreds, probably thousands of different combinations of fruits, herbs, and spices to make healthful tea. They can be concocted by picking flavors you like and/or by using herbs with the medicinal qualities you are after.

Many ingredients for herbal teas, such as mint, sage, lemon balm, chamomile, etc., are easy to grow at home and, thus, very inexpensive for the budding tea crafter looking to make medicinal teas.

4. Four Thieves Oil

Four Thieves Oil is a blend of five easy-to-find essential oils: clove, rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus, and cinnamon. Together, these ingredients cover a wide range of different medicinal powers.

There are numerous ratios and recipes for this. To make it easy, though, the essential oils can be mixed in equal parts into a dark bottle, shaken vigorously, and stored in a cool place.

Four Thieves Oil can be boiled and inhaled as steam to help with respiratory problems, and it can be applied topically via a carrier oil to help with skin problems. It is also good to use for sanitizing spaces.

5. Golden Milk

Turmeric is highly regarded for its magically medicinal powers which largely come from a compound in it called curcumin. It’s good for reducing inflammation, relieving digestive issues, fighting off colds and flus, and even healing cuts.

Golden milk features turmeric as a star ingredient, and it can be a relaxing drink to ease into the morning or have while settling in for the evening.

6. Turkey Tail Tea (Medicinal Mushroom Broth)

Lots of mushrooms are reputed for having proven medicinal qualities, and turkey tail mushrooms are especially known for it. These mushrooms are used to make “mushroom tea” which is more broth-like in that it is savory. Boiling up the tea with some salt of your choosing, cayenne, and onion makes it all the more appetizing and potent.

Turkey tail powder is available at health food stores, but this is also one of the most abundantly available and easily identified wild mushrooms to forage.

7. Lemon Ginger Turmeric Tonic

Lemon, ginger, and turmeric combine well both in terms of flavor and health benefits. They are a fantastic combination for keeping winter ailments at a distance and helping our bodies stay immune-charged for battle.

This tonic also has maple syrup and cayenne pepper in it to help the cause. It is brewed like tea, but it can be kept in the fridge to drink cold. They say eight ounces a day will keep the colds and flu away.

Rather than sitting around wondering how effective any of these might be, why not just make them and give them a go and make some homespun elixirs? One thing for sure is that they won’t be doing you any harm. Who knows? They might, indeed, be magical potions.

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