My Favorite Feel Good Immunity Concoction

This year, we welcomed in the Autumn Equinox with my favorite Feel Good Immunity concoction.

In Ayurveda, all foods and herbs can be classified in terms of the six tastes. These are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent.  According to "The Complete Medicinal Herbal" by Penelope Ody, "A healthful diet has to contain a good mixture of the six tastes, while in ill health, particular tastes can be emphasized to restore balance."

This recipe was first introduced to me by my husband. With the long days and late nights required by the ever-demanding restaurant industry, you didn't have time to be sick (and certainly weren't allowed to work in the kitchen if you were). This is one of the kitchen secrets passed around that we have since added our own little flare to.

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2 c water
2 tbs ACV
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cinnamon (or 1 whole cinnamon stick)
2 garlic cloves, smashed
Ginger (a few spoon scrapes)
Lemon (about half a lemon)
Cloves (4-8 depending on preference)
Allspice (same as above)
Honey (to taste, add just before drinking)

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Cover and simmer on low for at least 30minutes, stirring occasionally.
Strain, add honey and enjoy the warming, healing benefits!


I like to let this simmer on the stove all day and reheat to enjoy at night; after walking the pups at sun-down on brisk autumn nights. Once the weather gets consistently cooler, I make a batch to keep refrigerated and heat up as needed to warm me up throughout the week. This is a bit of an acquired taste, but If the flavor is too strong for you, simply enjoy by adding to a soup! You can cut the sour taste from the ACV by adding in a little extra honey and some orange zest. Have fun and play around with this, remembering it has great healing properties for you!