Friday, May 9, 2008

Garlic, how I love you!



Garlic Shooter


Garlic is fantastically antibacterial. It is one of the most powerful things we can take into our body for health and healing. Here is an easy and fun way to get it down without ever tasting it!


Freshly squeezed juice of ½ Lemon (1-2 Tablespoons)
1-2 Tablespoons Water
1 clove Garlic, crushed

Put Lemon juice and Water into cup. Add freshly crushed garlic clove. Immediately swirl cup to achieve a circling motion and drink in one gulp.

The ‘shooter’ experience is reportedly followed by an immediate feeling of rejuvenation called the ‘shooter rush’. The original recipe came from the Arizona Garlic Festival, Verde Valley, Arizona, found in the International Garlic Festival Cookbook by Caryl Simpson.


Slippery Elm Lozenges

Slippery elm is the number one herb for throat, respiratory and digestive help. It is amazing! You can buy these lozenges over the counter, but they are so fun and easy to make on your own!


1 Tbsp. Slippery Elm bark powder
1 tsp. honey
Optional: 1-2 drop essential oil to flavor (I like peppermint or lemon)

1. Put the Slippery Elm powder into a bowl.
2. Make a little nest in it and add the honey.
3. Coat your hands with vegetable or olive oil, and work the dough until the honey is incorporated.

4. Roll into snake. (just like play-doh)

5. Wrap in saran wrap and chill.

6. Cut into lozenge sized discs.

4. Store in refrigerator, or dry on screen until dried through.


Sylvia’s Hot Toddy Recipe (non-alcoholic)

for cold’s, flu, congestion, etc…

Juice from one lemon-(fresh)
1 tbsp. raw honey
1/2 can frozen OJ -preferably a more natural kind like Trader Joe’s
2 cups water
Sprinkle of cayenne

Heat all (except cayenne) together in saucepan until heated through– pretty warm. Pour into mug, sprinkle with cayenne, and drink it down. Go to bed!
*Variation– add 1 tbsp. slippery elm powder for a super effect!


Onion Ear Poultice

1/2 onion, chopped, 1/4 cup water
Heat ingredients in a pan and bring to a simmer (not a boil), and turn off heat. Strain onion from water (reserving water in pan) and wrap in several layers of cheesecloth, muslin, or a washcloth. Apply this poultice over the affected ear, lying on the other side. Leave for at least 5 minutes or until cool. The onion can be heated and reapplied several times. Do this as many times as needed to ease the discomfort. This old fashioned technique is a little messy, but worth it! You may also add a drop or two of lavender essential oil, to help calm and ease the mind. This remedy creates a vacuum to help remove liquid and infection. The heat and antibacterial properties of the onion also help ease the earache and reduce inflammation. It is helpful to rub a mullein and garlic infused oil blend around the outer part of the ear and mastoid area if an ear infection is present.
Adapted by Jonelle Hughes from Kathy Keville's book Herbs for Health and Healing