Garlic came to our rescue this week AGAIN. I have shared the magical wonder of this plant before, and today I want to show you a recipe you can make with garlic that you will be grateful to have on hand for quick relief.
Often, people will jab me with statements like, "There was an article in the paper that scientific research has shown that garlic does not do all that you say!"
I cannot tell you why science does not find what my personal experience does. What I can say is that numerous times, garlic has completely cleared flu, cold, and many symptoms of the same.
And rather quickly too.
This week, the temps dropped below zero, and coupled with being out and about many sick people, I began to have cold symptoms. I tried several herbal tinctures, and homeopathic remedies to ease my watery discharges, with no success.
Finally, after being completely miserable, I took 1 TBSP of garlic vinegar.
Within 20 minutes or so, I felt the warming power surge through my body, and within an hour I was well (or well enough to function in my household).
The next day I was fine and continued taking 1 Tbsp that day and the day after to ensure I was free of illness.
In that few days, my daughter also began to feel strange and have watery discharge, and 1/2 tsp was about all she could endure, and she got well.
Experience tells my family over and over, that this powerful plant needs to be used for more than just flavor! Garlic is a true healer!
So I want to share today about making garlic vinegar. This preparation will be very useful when you are not feeling well, because it will take you 2 minutes of less to use. Garlic vinegar can also be used for salad dressings or marinades.
This is food! and medicine!
It is so easy to make, your children can do it themselves if they can handle a knife.
At the last farmers market of the season, I invested in plenty of fresh local garlic, and sent some to my daughters in other states. There is nothing like fresh local herbs! (not local to them of course, but I thought it was a worthwhile gift)
So first we start off peeling garlic cloves, discarding any that may not seem to have much life, or bruised.
It takes alot of garlic, so be prepared to spend an hour or 2 peeling, cutting, chopping, and cleaning up when making your vinegar.
You will need a jar. I make a quart at a time since there are so many of us in our household.
You will also need apple cider vinegar. Any vinegar will do, but apple cider vinegar with the mother is what I like to use for my vinegars.
A good cutting board, a veggie knife, and a chopping knife are all helpful too.
So chop your garlic well and add to your jar until about full.
Pour your vinegar over it. You can stir with a knife to be sure you have enough vinegar in there. Air bubbles can be released this way, and sometimes you will need to top it off.
Then you need to cap your vinegar. Vinegar will corrode your metal lids, so either use plastic lids or place plastic over the top of your jar before screwing on your metal lid.
I do not have plastic wrap right now, so we used recycled baggies:)
Let it steep 3-6 weeks.
You can strain it, or leave as is, which is what I do at least for several months.
I do not refrigerate my vinegars because I store them in my pantry. I live in the mountains with below zero temperatures throughout the winter so it is colder there than my fridge.
If you crank your heat, or live in a warm climate, refrigerate it after it steeps.
So how do I take this?
Well in the case of my use this week, I took out a few Tbsp of the mixture, minced garlic and all, and put into a cup. To ease the tummy, I added a mint honey I made earlier this year, but any honey will do to help get it down.
However, when I am sick, I pretty much will take my herbs however they will work! :)
My kids, however, struggle with the potency of garlic, so they do need plenty of honey.
Yesterday, I added chamomile honey to Olivia's garlic.
So when I take this for healing, I just eat the garlic along with sipping the vinegar.
I know that is somewhat die hard for some, in which case, you can just sip the vinegar.
I hope you enjoy using this preparation for cooking and wellness.
