Make your own Power Elixir
Ok, so we keep bees because they are fascinating, they pollinate our food crops, and they produce HONEY! That sweet, liquid gold that has been cherished for thousands of years for its sweet taste as well as for its healing properties.
We all know that raw, local honey is good for helping to overcome seasonal allergies because it is made from the very plants that cause our allergies. This is basically an inoculant that helps our bodies prepare for the allergens in the air. But did you know that raw honey also contains antibacterial ingredients and probiotics that help boost your immune system as a whole?
And who you are sick, nothing beats a spoonful of soothing honey on a soar throat (I can attest to that right now!)
So as I was doing some research on honey, I also came across some other powerful foods and I decided that I was going to find a way to create something I can easily combine and consume daily. What I came up with was what I call a Power Elixir! Fun name, huh?!
Here is what it contains:
Honey (of course)
When using honey for health, it is important to use raw and local honey. Heating honey even in a cup of tea can lessen its healing properties by destroying the beneficial bacteria.
- boosts immunity
- reduce the duration of diarrhea
- promotes increased potassium and water intake
- prevent acid reflux
- fights infections
- relieves cold and cough symptoms
- relieves soar throat
- prevent cognitive decline and dementia
Resources: MedicalNewsToday.com and Benefits-of-Honey.com
Turmeric
Most Studies on Turmeric are related to the cucurmin that is in the root, but taken as a whole food, it is even more impressive. There are so many good things about Turmeric that I can’t put them all down here. I’ll provide some links for more info, but here is a short list:
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial
- eliminate depression
- slow down aging
- decrease cancer risk
- support of detoxification
- improving cognitive function
- blood sugar balance
- kidney function,
- lessening the degree of severity associated with certain forms of arthritis and certain digestive disorders.
- lower blood triglycerides following meal intake
Resources: OrganicFacts.net and ScienceDirect.com
Black Pepper
I added this because a few years ago I had a friend who was a Medical Doctor who had done some research on Turmeric, and found that black pepper increases the bioavailability of curcumin in Turmeric by a whopping 2000%. So since black pepper is an easy and cheap thing to get, it made sense to add it. Here is a link to an article you can read about this: Turmeric and Black Pepper, a Winning Combination.
Moringa
Moringa oleifera is something that many of us are just learning about. It is a tree native to India and has been used for healing and food there. The good thing for those of us in Arizona is that it thrives in heat and can grow 20 feet in one season. The best thing, however is the incredible nutritive value of its leaves. “Gram for gram fresh leaves of M. oleifera have 4 times the vitamin A of carrots, 7 times the vitamin C of oranges, 4 times the calcium of milk, 3 times the potassium of bananas, ¾ the iron of spinach, and 2 times the protein of yogurt” (Trees for Life, 2005). In addition to that, here are some more benefits of Moringa:
- protect the liver
- fight inflammation
- lower cholesterol
- relieves stomach disorders, allergies, and edema
- treat diabetes
- protect the eyes
- improve cardiovascular health
- enhance bone health
- speed wound healing
- boost skin health
- potent antibacterial and antifungal properties
Resources: OrganicFacts.net and the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health
Ginger
- relieve nausea and pain
- treat osteoarthritis
- prevent cancer
- treat arthritis
- improve respiratory conditions
- and reduce flatulence
- boost bone health
- strengthen the immune system
- increase appetite.
- enhancing sexual activity
- mitigating obesity
- relieving the pain related to menstrual disorders (YES!)
- relieves asthma
- and SO MUCH MORE!
Resources: OrganicFacts.net
Apple Cider Vinegar
- lower body weight
- cut waist circumference
- improve satiety
- reduce LDL cholesterol levels
- antifungal and prebiotic
- improve insulin sensitivity in those who have type 2 diabetes
- lowers blood pressure
- stimulates digestion
- alleviates plaque psoriasis
Resources: CureJoy.com and HealthLine.com
Power Elixir Recipe for a Powerful Life!
Dry ingredients
(mix these up in a bowl and keep in a glass jar in a dark cupboard.)
- 2 cups Turmeric Powder
- 2 cups Morina Powder
- 1/2 cup Ginger Powder
- 1/3 cup Black Pepper (finely ground)
Liquid Ingredients
- Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
- Raw Local (duh) Honey
To make one dose of my Power Elixir:
- use one honey straw or 1 teaspoon of honey (I like my own honey or Desert Gatherings Honey Straws)
- 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Heaping tablespoon of dry powder mix
- 1-2 cups of water
- stir and drink
I actually like the taste of this drink and try to have it once or twice a day. It’s great mixed with juice as well. You can get all of the dry ingredients from health stores, grocery stores, and even Walmart. It doesn’t cost much and will last several months, I assure you. Drink up!