Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Lemon Ginger Tonic for Flu Season

With flu season in full swing, my whole family fighting a cold of some sort and Christmas travel plans looming in the near future, I decided it was time to break out my dear old friend, the Anti-inflammatory Turmeric Lemon Ginger Tonic. 

No, this is not a smoothie, but if you’re like me and love lemons and don’t mind a little kick, you could probably drink it down like it was one. 

Instead, I take one shot sized sip of it first thing every morning when I’m trying to be preventative against colds and viruses or when anyone in my house is sick.

Inflammation in the body has been linked to so many diseases including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, obesisty, Alzheimer’s, etc. It is also thought to be a pre-curser of sorts to premature aging.

Unfortunately, many people walk around in a chronic state of inflammation without even realizing it.  Here are a few reasons inflammation can develop.

• Stress/anxiety

• Lack of sleep

• Diet lacking of good quality omega-3 fatty acids

• Poor gut health

• Diet high in processed grains and sugars

• Environmental toxins

• Free radical damage

Besides looking at this list and trying your best to eliminate as many factors as possible, there are some powerful anti-inflammatory foods that can significantly decrease inflammation in the body and help prevent and fight disease. 

TURMERIC 

Turmeric is a bright orange spice known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral  and anti-cancer properties.  It is what gives curry its orange/yellow color.  

Basically, this spice wards of disease, you guys.  If you have never experimented with adding it to your diet, you need to ASAP. 

While Indian cultures have long revered this spice and used it to treat wounds, infections and cure other diseases, the western world is just beginning to acknowledge its powerful medicinal properties.  Several studies have shown its effectiveness against treating cancer. 

GINGER 

Ginger is another one of the most healthy spices in the world.  It also has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant superpowers.  It has been used for medicinal uses for centuries to aid in digestion, treat nausea and fight off the Flu and common cold.

RAW HONEY

Raw honey contains bee pollen, a super nutritious compound containing powerful antioxidant flavonoids, vitamins and minerals, and enzymes.  It has been known to fight seasonal allergies, help with a nagging cold or cough, and fight disease.  

Unlike store bought, commercial honey, which has been heavily processed, chemically refined and heated to a degree which renders vitamins, minerals and enzymes unusable, raw honey has all of those properties intact in an easily absorbable form. 

LEMONS 

Lemons are densely packed with vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus, and protein.

GARLIC  

Garlic has powerful medicinal properties as well, known for curing the common cold, aiding in digestion, fighting disease including cancer and heart disease (by lowering blood pressure.)  It is also another powerful antioxidant and is known for its antiviral properties.

FLAX-SEED OIL 

A healthy source of Omega-3 fatty acids.  These healthy fats helps the absorption and assimilation of all the other ingredients into the body, especially Turmeric. 

BLACK PEPPER 

It is a well known fact that black pepper can increase the absorption and bioavailability of Turmeric into the body.

So now that you know the method behind the madness of why anyone would take a shot of this spicy and sweet concoction on a regular basis, here is how I make this little miracle working tonic. 

Ingredients 

1. 4-5 lemons  - juice and some of the pulp

2. 4-5 fresh organic Turmeric roots, peeled  

3. 3 garlic cloves

4. 1/3 cup raw organic honey (or to your likeness of sweet)

5. 1 large 1-2 to 1 inch cube ginger

6. 1/3 cup flaxseed oil

7. 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions 

Blend all ingredients in high power blender until smoothe.  Store in a container with a lid in the refrigerator for about 1- 1 1/2 weeks, take one or two shots daily to ward off illness.

Be warned, it is VERY spicy! I actually enjoy the flavor a lot but my husband and some other friends I have had try it have a hard time getting it down.  Add as much raw honey as your heart desires to make it palatable!