Remember the TV show, "The Waltons?" A couple of the characters were Miss Mamie and Miss Emily Baldwin, aka the Baldwin sisters, a pair of well-off, elderly Southern belles who lived in a large house and made a type of moonshine called "The Recipe." The sisters proclaimed the virtues of their father’s “recipe.”
A few years ago, my boss told me about an old recipe that her friend from Kentucky gave her. It was a recipe from the friend's great- grandma called "The Remedy." My first thought was, "Hmmmm, maybe it has some moonshine in it." But no. The Remedy is a spicy, homemade drink that brings together a variety of all-natural ingredients said to have immune-boosting properties. It's purported that when all these healthy ingredients band together, they create a super-beverage of sorts — a mega-healthy drink that can prevent you from getting sick.
The recipe for The Remedy has been written on a recipe card but you can tell it's an old recipe. According to the directions, you start it on the first day of the new moon, shake it everyday, strain it through cheesecloth on the day of the full moon (13 - 15 days).
Nowadays, this concoction is known as Fire Cider and is remembered as an age-old remedy that is popular in the herbal community, especially popular during flu season. There is an age-old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” To those who believe in Fire Cider's preventative powers: “A shot of fire cider tonic a day keeps the doctor AND sickness away!”
Apple Cider Vinegar contains antimicrobial properties which help kill bacteria and lower blood sugar.
Horesradish is rich in antioxidants and helps reduce inflammation and improve respiratory health.
Hot peppers contain capsicum which is high in Vitamin C and works to reduce inflammation, aid in weight loss, and improve blood circulation.
Ginger is packed with anti-bacterial properties that kill germs, and antioxidants that help alleviate nausea, reduce stomach pain, and reduce inflammation.
Onions and garlic contain many heart-protective benefits such as reducing blood pressure and cholesterol.
In the winter I make a batch of The Remedy and try to take a tablespoon everyday. I'll add it to a cup of tea with some honey but most times I take a spoonful and be done with it. Does it work? I don't know if it keeps the germs away as I am blessed with good health and rarely get sick (knock on wood). I also use The Remedy in cooking - in a salad dressing, in a marinade, add a touch to sautéed veggies. A little bit goes a long way.
I like old recipes and the wisdom behind them.