With the right combination of high-quality, natural and fresh ingredients, you can fight off sickness. This drink has strong antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-parasitic properties and could be the thing you’re looking to add to your arsenal. It strengthens your immune system, purifies your blood, and improves blood circulation throughout your entire body. A combination of natural ingredients work together to help boost the immune system and strengthen you against foreign attack.

Turmeric

This ancient ingredient is very popular for fighting inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory properties have been used to treat such conditions as cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Crohn’s diseases, irritable bowel syndrome and much more. The main active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, gets its anti-inflammatory ability from being able to modulate numerous signaling molecules such as pro-inflammatory cytokines (1).

In a short-term, double-blind, crossover study involving eighteen young patients with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin was compared with phenylbutazone. The result was that curcumin was well tolerated with no adverse side effects and it exerted an anti-rheumatic activity, demonstrating improvement in joint swelling, morning stiffness, and walking time (1).

However, in the last few decades curcumin has been shown to be a potent immunomodulatory agent. At low doses, it can also enhance antibody responses. Its ability to fight off certain diseases might be due in part to its ability to modulate the immune system (2).

Ginger

Ginger is another all-star of an ingredient, boasting many life improving properties, this ingredient is something that really helps out the body. Ginger rhizome contains several constituents which have antibacterial and anti-fungal effects. A study on the benefits of ginger showed that it has antimicrobial activity against E Coli, salmonella typhi, and bacillus subtilis (3). It can also treat a wide variety of diseases through immuno-nutrition and anti-inflammatory responses. The anticancer potential of ginger is well documented, and its functional ingredients contribute to fighting metastasis (4).

Garlic

Garlic has been used for quite some time as a medical agent. It has been suggested to have both cancer preventative potential as well as significant enhancing effects on the immune system. Some have even hypothesized that garlic elicits an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative response that aids in eradicating an emerging tumor. There have been numerous studies that have demonstrated a link between garlic consumption and decreased risk of cancer, especially that of the colon or stomach. Additionally, allicin, one of the active principles of freshly crushed garlic, has a variety of antimicrobial activities. In its pure form, it was found to exhibit antibacterial activity against a wide range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. It also exhibits antifungal activity, particularly against candida albicans (5).

Onion

Even though onion is often a powerful flavor addition to any meal, it also has strong medicinal properties, including antibacterial functions. It has been shown that onion has inhibitory effects on V. cholerae and that the anti-bacterial activity of its compounds can be exploited as a therapeutic agent (6). In a study on rats, it was shown that onions play a contributory role in enhancing immune function. Onion has high levels of vitamin C and its antimicrobial properties make a significant and potent immune system booster, and it is very effective against bacterial, viral, and parasitic infection. Further, there is growing evidence that onion possesses important immune enhancing and anticancer properties (7).

Horseradish

Horseradish is used as a condiment due to its extremely pungent flavor. But it also has anti-inflammatory properties. Study results demonstrate that horseradish contributes to the cytoprotective cellular effect during inflammation. Additionally, allylisothiocyanate, a potent component of horseradish, shows inhibitory effect on the growth of food poisoning bacteria and fungi (8). This makes horseradish a powerful functional ingredient for maintaining proper health.

Chili peppers

Capsaicin, the main component of chili peppers, has been studied for its biological effects which are of pharmacological relevance. It’s been linked to anti-inflammatory effects and may have value for cancer prevention and other diseases (10). Capsaicin seems to have bacteriostatic activity against some Gram-negative bacteria. It also inhibits the formation of biofilm, which is essential or bacteria adhesion (9).

Apple cider vinegar

Often touted as a superfood, this elixir is perfect for a number of things including fighting cholesterol, controlling blood glucose levels, and contributing to weight loss. It also has strong antibacterial functions as it is great at fighting candida infections. It also has a strong anti-histamine effect, helping to break up mucus and clear your system of allergy related symptoms (11). For more information about apple cider vinegar check out this article.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons turmeric powder or two knuckles of turmeric root

• 24 ounces apple cider vinegar

• 1/4 cup finely chopped garlic

• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion

• 2 fresh peppers, the hottest you can find

• 1/4 cup grated ginger

• 2 tablespoon grated horseradish

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, except for the vinegar. Transfer the mixture to a mason jar. Now, pour some apple cider vinegar to the mix until it fills up to the top. The best is when two-thirds of the jar consists of dry ingredients. The rest should be vinegar up to the top. Close tightly, then shake well. Keep the jar in a cool, dry place for about two weeks. Shake well several times a day. After fourteen days, squeeze well then strain it through a plastic strainer. Squeeze well to make sure all the juice comes out. You can use the rest of the mixture when cooking.

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