It's not flu season, but in my house, we are passing around another cold/cough thing that finally got to me this morning. So I thought I would share what I do when that "tickle in my sore throat" makes its appearance.
The Master Tonic is one of those things that is absolutely disgusting, but so good for you! A family friend who is a missionary gives this to his students so they wouldn't get the dehli belly when they go on missions.
When my husband introduced me to this years ago, I made fun of him. It took me years to have an open mind about it, but after seeing it heal me from many "beginnings of ...." various viruses, I'm now a convert, and we always have a bottle of Master Tonic in our fridge.
It is not for the faint of heart, but it is worth the few seconds of discomfort it gives you, for the health it maintains in you. I start having an itchy throat, I take 2 tbsp twice a day, and within a few days, what could have turned into a bronchitis before, is GONE! But you have to take it at the first signs of disease. And you'd better not take it right before an important meeting or a hot date, because that stuff is potent and will give you terrible breath for about an hour, no matter how much listerine you gargle with afterwards. So what's in the brew?
1 cup chopped organic white onion
1 cup peeled and grated organic ginger
1 cup peeled and grated organic horseradish
1 cup fresh organic jalapeno or cayenne peppers (with the seeds), chopped
1 cup organic garlic, minced
1 litre organic unfiltered raw apple cider vinegar
We grate the ginger and horseradish with a hand grater, but we put the onions, garlic cloves and peppers in the food processor. Be careful not to touch that potion with your bare hands or you might get burnt. Those chillies are HOT!
Put all the solid ingredients in a tall jar and cover with the vinegar. seal the jar, shake it to mix it well, and store in a cool dark place for two weeks, shaking the mixture once a day if possible.
Warning: Do not use on an empty stomach, and start with a teaspoon for the first few times. It is POTENT and can cause nausea or vomiting if you are not used to it.
OK, now I'm wondering if anyone is ever going to make this brew, after reading all the warnings. I hope so. This is a powerful, natural antibiotic and circulatory tonic.
Still skeptical? Google "benefits of the master tonic" just for fun ;)
When you let the liquid sit for a few hours, you will notice a layer of sediment gathering at the bottom. I usually gently pour the clear liquid into another container, trying to leave the sediment at the bottom. It might take me a few times of transferring the liquid, but once I have done that, the liquid should look like apple cider vinegar, a beautiful, transparent gold.
it looks like it smells so horrible that Id never be able to drink it! When I eat onions or garlic I get headaches and severly nauseated so I guess this one is not for me :(
ReplyDeleteHi Weena, yes, it doesn't smell very good and if you have a reaction to onions or garlic, I wouldn't try. But you can juice ginger and lemon and add some honey, and it will also have very good benefits for your health :)
DeleteHow long will this be ok to drink, what is its "shelf life"? Thank you for sharing this, I love going this route to assist my body. I much rather drink this instead of be sick or take dreaded antibiotics. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteBecause of the high acidity I would have to guess that it's good for at least a year. But, I would also like to know what is the healthy shelf life of this tonic please!
ReplyDeleteHi guys, sorry it has taken me so long to respond, each time I try, my response doesn't post. I would say the shelf life is at least 6 months in the fridge, because we have had it for that long and still used it, but I would venture to say that it could probably last a year or longer in the fridge.
DeleteI have two jars fermenting now. I pour off the liquid and pour the same amount of honey in the liquid. The taste is really good once you mix with honey. I love the taste of it
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea, especially for kids!
DeleteI put raw honey And fresh organic lime juice and it's zest in it as well
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I am sure it improves the taste a lot!
DeleteWonder if you could make this in a juicer...
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I have never thought of it, but my instinct would be not to. When you put the ingredients in the vinegar for two weeks, you infuse the vinegar with them. If you juice the ingredients, it is 10 times more powerful, and I would be concerned that I might burn my throat or my stomach by drinking it. That stuff is potent enough like that. If you decide to try it, I would recommend diluting it in water before swallowing :)
DeleteStore in a cool dark place for two weeks. Can you put it in the refrigerator at this point or do you leave it out?
ReplyDeleteIt's better to leave it out, as it allows the brew to ferment as well. But I have done it in the fridge too and it still works.
DeleteCan this stuff cause stomach upset? I'm experiencing this right now.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry I didn't see your post. Two and a half years later... Gees! I have been off of this blog since I relocated to Switzerland, where my life has changed a lot and I've had to readjust to so many things! I know you probably don't need my answer now, but for the sake of others reading the blog, I will say this: yes, it can cause an upset stomach, especially if you drink it before eating anything. If it causes burn, one thing you can do is immediately suck on a lemon or orange, and it will help. Also, start slowly, with very small amounts. I hope this helps!
DeleteHow hot is it when mixed with equal honey... Sounds great for health values.....?
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried that, but I think it would considerably lessen the hotness.
DeleteI am a true believer in natural remedies and, with this great receipe I put all the ingredients in a blender, keep it in a dark place and use one spoonful in hot water as tea. Hope this is OK!
ReplyDeleteI guess it is not OK to mix it with hot water because the temperature kills some vitamins.
ReplyDeleteI read, better not to mix it with water because its effect will be less strong.
I think honey is OK, a good solution.
I tried this with lemon instead ov vinegar and it is fine, too.
I made it with less horseradish and only 1 red chili. I read that red onions are better, so I used them. It is not hot and I love it! Next time I will take 2 chilis.
Thanks for your comments, and sorry I am so late in seeing this! I have been off for a while, but still make and use the master tonic. I would say even though it may not be ideal in hot water, it might be better than nothing, if that is the only way you can swallow it down. Adjusting the recipe is fine too. Every ingredient is a natural antibiotic, so you will get benefits from it, even if you change some of the stuff.
DeleteMade it for college and it kept me healthy all year. My roommates did not like the awful smell. Now me joke about their refrigerator having the smell of garlic for ever
ReplyDeleteAaaaah, the smell! I know, that's one of the downsides. Our bedroom stinks in the winter, when we take it more regularly at bedtime ;)
DeleteAny alternative for horseradish, I could not get that in Chennai India.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... not sure about that, but even if you make it without horseradish, it will have benefits for your health.
DeleteI was wondering how long you should be using this or how often you can do this? Is this a treatment/tonic that should be used just for a month or everyday is fine?
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm only seeing your comment now :(
DeleteI wouldn't use it daily for too long, but my husband does that during the winter season, which here lasts 3-4 months. As for me, I only use it when I feel vulnerable, tired, sickness coming on, or when everyone around me is sick, for protection.
I made this and stored in the same type of jar you have in the picture. It seems that it may have reacted with the metal top and there was a black goo around the top of the jar and inside the top. Have you experienced this? Is it still safe to drink the tonic? I've had it in the fridge for about 6 months now.
ReplyDelete