Immunity Boosting Ginger Lemon Wellness Shot

I hold my breath when someone sneezes in an elevator until I’m able to make my escape. Knee jerk reaction, but seriously dude, you couldn’t hold that in for one more floor?! I’m washing my hands like crazy, cleaning door knobs, remote controls and appliances around my house with homemade antibacterial cleaners, just so dude can sneeze on me in an enclosed space. No way. This deadly flu I keep hearing about has me taking extra precautions. First off, I’m taking the stairs to avoid Mr. Sneezy McGee. As added insurance, I’ve been choking down this ginger lemon wellness shot every morning… and I do mean choking down. There’s no sugar coating this one. It’s a whole shot glass of rough. This is not something that you drink for the taste (though admittedly I’m starting to get used to it), but the benefits to your immune system are no joke. Here’s the boring bit about the ingredients and a couple of their health benefits.

Ginger

  • anti-inflammatory
  • natural antihistamine
  • natural expectorant

Lemon

  • balances pH
  • high in Vitamin C
  • helps keep you hydrated

Cayenne Pepper

  • anti-fungal properties
  • anti-bacterial properties
  • anti-allergen

Like I said before, this wellness shot is no joke. I wouldn’t call it tasty by any means, but be honest, you’ve probably taken shots that burn just as bad on the way down, without any of the health benefits. No judgment. All I’m saying is that you can do this and your immune system will appreciate the boost!

Ginger Lemon Wellness Shot

ingredients

  1. 1 inch of ginger, peeled and juiced
  2. ½ of a fresh lemon
  3. dash of cayenne pepper***

directions

  1. peel the ginger and run it through your juicer into a glass
  2. squeeze the juice from your lemon into the glass
  3. top with a dash of cayenne pepper and stir

***You can swap out lemons for limes and cayenne pepper for turmeric. Also, if you absolutely can’t do the whole concentrated wellness shot thing, try this homemade wellness tonic, or this wellness tea.

Source: Christina Greve

Homemade Switchel---The Home Remedy Tonic You've Never Heard Of

Homemade Switchel—The Home Remedy Tonic You’ve Never Heard Of

I’m kind of a history nerd. I love stories about tradition. How was this thing used or how did this thing get it’s name? That’s exciting stuff. So when I read a brief history of switchel, or haymaker’s punch, I was totally fascinated. Switchel is a traditional drink popularized in colonial New England. It was often given to farmers to quench their thirst during harvesting time, hence the nickname, haymaker’s punch. I totally geeked out over that story, and when I saw the recipe I was completely sold on trying it out for myself.

Homemade Switchel

Switchel is probably the best kept herbal remedy secret I’ve seen in years. This homemade tonic is an immune system-boosting, probiotics boasting, electrolyte-replenishing powerhouse of a drink! This is the perfect home remedy to alleviate the symptoms of anything from acid reflux to the flu. You probably have all of the ingredients you need right now! Check it out!

Homemade Switchel

Homemade Switchel

Ingredients

  • 1 (4 inch) piece of ginger, grated
  • 2 tbsp raw honey
  • 1/3 c apple cider vinegar
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 4 c filtered water

Directions

  • combine all ingredients in a glass carafe
  • let stand overnight at room temperature
  • serve hot, or at room temperature, or over ice, or add some seltzer water!

Image Credit: StephaniePollard