From Pantry to Remedy—Cold-Busting Infused Honey
One of the skills we greatly admire from days gone by is the ability to make medicine from your pantry, a skill set we are learning and nurturing in our home. There's a hidden beauty in eating high-quality, organically grown foods: oftentimes, there's a deeply nourishing, medicinal component that we can utilize when we're in need of a boost. It's the best kind of medicine because it's available to all, with minimal cost and only a little effort, which is why we love this infused honey remedy for the inevitable winter cold. Food can truly be thy medicine! Earlier we wrote and shared about elderberry syrup, which is a great line of defense, but is less effective once you are sick. The ingredients in this infused honey are purposefully synergized to help your body fend off the invaders, and as an added bonus it tastes pretty great!
ingredients
- 1 tbsp. raw ginger root, grated
- 1 tbsp. raw turmeric root, grated
- zest and juice of 1 organic lemon
- 1-2 cloves of raw garlic, grated
- 1/2 cup *raw honey
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
- 1 tsp. organic, extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
to make
Pour the honey into a sealable glass jar.
Using a microplane, grate the turmeric, ginger, lemon zest and garlic. (Hint: turmeric can stain, so be mindful as you work to protect surfaces. Grate the turmeric first as the lemon especially will remove stains from your microplane grater.)
Mix all ingredients and allow to infuse for several hours prior to taking (overnight is great).
dose
Use as needed, one spoonful at a time is recommended, 1/2 a spoonful for children (note: it is recommended that children younger than one not have raw honey).
note
Leave out the garlic and you have a delicious dressing that can be drizzled over yogurt in the morning, or used as a dip, or stir a spoonful into a cup of warm water for a delicious drink.
about the ingredients
raw garlic—fights all the bad guys with a powerful punch! It is potently anti- microbial and -viral, as well as targeting fungus and parasites. It also improves your body's ability to remove toxins and metabolic waste.
raw ginger—a warming, potent anti-inflammatory which also fends off pathogens.
raw turmeric + pepper—an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant superstar. Research has documented that curcumin is able to bind to cells and reduce the entry of a virus into a cell. Pepper is necessary for the proper absorption of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric.
lemon + apple cider vinegar—alkalizes the body, a useful benefit since viruses and microbes tend to thrive in a more acidic environment. Lemon is also rich in cold-busting Vitamin C. Choose vinegar that contains the 'mother' for additional probiotics.
raw honey—works to soothe coughs and sore-throats. Pasteurized honey does not deliver the same benefits.
extra-virgin olive oil—potently anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant. The monounsaturated fatty acids are amazing for the body and also help with the absorption of nutrients and compounds in the infused honey.
