Getting the natural remedy cabinet stocked when herbs and plant material are available is less expensive and helps keep us ready for the coming months. While it is only one of our remedy choices, we focus on heart health tinctures and remedies we can use in the event we are exposed to someone with a common cold or flu. We like to combine nutrition, essential oils, whole food supplements and natural remedies to increase our immune system and keep our bodies functioning. Whole body function includes a focus on body systems, such as digestive, immune function, cardiovascular, endocrine and other systems. When individual parts of the system are not functioning its time for more attention!For instance, keeping a healthy heart is crucial as we begin to age. According to the CDC, approximately 610,000 people die of heart disease in the united states every year - that's 1 in every 4 deaths. More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2009 were men. Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing over 370,000 people annually. So, lets get heart-healthy! Cayenne is an instant blood flow stimulant that enables it to promote blood circulation, cleans arterial walls and can carry other nutrients to cells more efficiently. The American Nutrition Association shares that cayenne strengthens the heart and has the ability to stop a heart attack in progress. We choose to tincture fresh cayenne to use during the year. But watch for the bite-back; cayenne is a hot option! Hawthorne berry is also listed in many herbal books and used in many countries for heart health. Christopher Hobbs, P.hD shares how the hawthorn berry is prescribed by many doctors as a prevention to heart disease. Hawthorn berry can increase blood flow to the heart muscle and improves the pumping action of the heart. Lastly, beet root is one of the richest sources of nitrates and improves blood flow and heart health. Using natural options keeps us away from the dreaded pharmaceuticals. Outside of herbs, I also follow a protocol for my rheumatoid arthritis that has kept me pharmaceutical free for six years. Trust me, I've got answers for arthritis!
The batch in the picture is nearly finished - I just need to top it off with more vinegar. This batch gets stirred every day for four weeks, pressed and bottled. Anytime there is the slightest hint of or threat of a cold we take a shot of Fire Cider daily for a couple days! I have friends who take a shot every day during the winter months. In addition to using as a cold prevention, the ingredients in this recipe are good for many other chronic health conditions. This is a must for the natural remedy arsenal.
For many, many, many years, throughout history, plant materials have been used to treat, prevent and cure illness ... however, we are no longer allowed to use those terms when we talk about plants. Now, plants are referred to as the alternative, snake oil or dangerous, when they were once mainstream. Plants contain an organic chemistry that cannot be duplicated in a lab and many plants are the base for modern medicine. Aspirin was derived from the Salicaceae family (willow) and a cancer medication was derived from Taxus brevifolia, or the yew tree. Plants have a beautiful, complicated chemistry that supports body function! We are all uniquely designed and our body chemistry and blood type may be different but plants are for the healing of nations.
