Photo by iStock
A simple winter elixir, taken daily, can prevent illness.
Ingredients
- 10 grams ashwagandha root
- 10 grams rhodiola root
- 10 grams astragalus root
- 150 milliliters brandy or vodka plus 2 tablespoons honey
OR
- 170 milliliters vegetable glycerin plus 70 milliliters water
Directions
- Grind herbs into a coarse powder and put in a glass jar.
- Add brandy or vodka, or vegetable glycerin and water. Stir well. If you need to add more liquid, put in an additional 30 milliliters brandy or vodka, or 25 milliliters glycerin and 5 milliliters water. Cover with a lid and let sit for 2 weeks, shaking daily.
- Strain and pour liquid into a dark bottle, label and store in a cabinet. Compost herbs.
- To use, take 1 teaspoon brandy or vodka elixir or 2 teaspoons glycerin elixir every day.Find more recipes using immune-boosting foods in 14 Foods That Fight Illness.
Tieraona Low Dog is an internationally recognized expert in integrative medicine, as well an herbalist, midwife and author of Healthy at Home. Follow her on Twitter @lowdogmd.
Use this elixir daily throughout winter to keep your immune system functioning optimally. The adaptogens astragalus, ashwagandha, and rhodiola will help you sail through the long, cold winter season. Astragalus is a deep immune tonic, rhodiola will help maintain a healthy mood and energy levels in the darkness of winter, and ashwagandha soothes nerves and promotes a healthy nervous system.
