Only a Mama knows: DIY Immune Boosting Health Tonics

I've been doing a bit of research into what I can do to naturally boost my immune system while on this crazy cancer roller coaster ride. I joined a natural living FB page and came across a few awesome immune boosting and cold fighting health tonics that seemed easy enough to make, so I thought Sammy and I would give them a go.

**Please keep in mind none of this is medical advice. These are just recipes I found after some time spent researching ways to boost my immune system. As always, everyone should do their own research and do what they feel is best for themselves and their family, regardless of what anyone else says or shares. :)

Fire Cider. The fire cider is my favorite. It's an apple cider vinegar based spicy shot of fermented spices and veggies! It's been said to help prevent cold and flu symptoms, and to shorten the length of your cold or flu if you do get sick. It's said to be an immune boosting health tonic with antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, decongestant and antifungal properties.

It consist of fresh chopped or grated horseradish, ginger, turmeric, onion, cloves, lemon, orange, jalapenos, cinnamon sticks, rosemary, thyme, and peppercorns in an apple cider and honey base. You could add in whatever extra spices and veggies you like though. There really is no wrong way to make it as long as you have the base spices and veggies.

Directions are easy: Chop or grate all of your ingredients and place layered inside a 1.5-2 quart jar. Cover everything completely with apple cider vinegar (the kind with the mother), and place someplace dark, like your pantry for 4+ weeks to ferment, making sure to shake the container and contents daily. To ensure everything stayed covered with the apple cider vinegar, we used a glass weight to weigh everything down. After a month, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the liquid from the solids. Once strained, add in honey to your liking, and boom, done! Store in fridge for up to a year (per the directions from where I got the recipe from).

We've made this twice now. One batch is completely finished, and our second is still fermenting in the pantry. I take a small shot daily in the morning and it sure does wake you up and get you going, haha. The kids aren't fans of it, but they will take it if sick and I ask them to.

First batch

Second batch, still fermenting in the pantry. We made a larger batch this go around, and switched to a plastic lid with a glass weight.

The straining and bottling process of our first batch. It made 2 glass bottles. Our second batch will make double the amount. And this go around we will dehydrate the solids to make a spice mix!

Elderberry syrup. The elderberry syrup was fun to make. It's said to be packed with antioxidants and vitamins, specifically vitamin C, that boost your immune system and helps fight off colds and the flu. It's also thought to be a powerful anti-inflammatory.

The recipe I chose consists of dried organic elderberries (just the berries, NO twigs or leaves as they are toxic), water, dried ginger root, cinnamon sticks, honey, and vodka as a preservative. As with the fire cider, there are many different variations and other spices you could add in to your liking. You just have to search around and find a recipe that suits you. The kids like this version of the elderberry syrup, but I think would prefer it without the ginger.

As for directions: In a pot, bring your elderberries, spices, and water to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 30-40 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour. Strain carefully, using cheesecloth. Once the liquid has cooled, add in the honey and vodka. Bottle and store in the fridge for up to 6 months (per the directions from where I got the recipe from).

So far we've made one batch, and that made 3 glass bottles. As with the fire cider, I take a small shot of this daily. I give the kids a tablespoon 2-3 times a day when they tell me they are starting to feel yuck.

Straining and bottling process.

Fermented honey garlic. This is the kids' favorite. Well, the honey is, not the actual garlic chunks. Anthony will eat a garlic chunk, but Molly and Timothy wont. But that's ok, you get the same benefits whether you eat the garlic or the honey. SUPER simple to make, anyone can do it. Fermented honey garlic is said to be a powerful tonic that helps to support the immune system while also staving off and relieving cold and flu symptoms, as well as coughs and sore throats. Both honey and garlic are said to be excellent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents.

The recipe is literally just garlic and honey. Though you want to make sure the garlic is organic, and the honey is local raw honey to reap the most benefits. We are lucky because the Costco by us sells large bags of already peeled organic garlic. I would recommend going this route, unless you like peeling garlic, haha.

Directions: peel garlic and place inside a wide mouth mason jar. Cover completely with honey. I would splurge for the plastic mason jar lids for this. For up to 2 weeks you will need to "burp" the jar daily....sometimes 2 times daily, to release the fermentation gasses. If you do not do this, you will wind up with a sticky honey mess on your hands, so DO NOT FORGET. Burping simply consists of quickly opening the lid to release the gas, then closing it again. Shake the jar daily. Within a few days, you will notice the honey becoming more fluid. You can eat the honey and garlic at any point, but the fermentation process will take about a full month. The garlic will mellow the longer it stays in the honey. Store in a cool, dark place for upwards of a 1 year + (per the directions from where I got the recipe from). Do not give to babies under 1.

We made one jar back in August and had completely finished it within 2 months. We used metal rings with parchment paper to start, but eventually switched over to plastic lids when we started our second batch, which consisted of 6 jars. I sent 1 jar to work with Sam, gave 2 jars away to friends, and kept the remaining 3 in our pantry to work through. I eat a garlic clove daily, and give the kids a tablespoon of honey whenever they complain of feeling yuck, whether it be a cough, sore throat, or a general cold coming on. I also use the money to mix with their Vit D drops because the drops taste a bit yucky, and the honey helps to mask the taste.