Nature's Wonder Medicines - Honey, Garlic and Vinegar

I was rummaging around in my bedroom the other day for a particular book, without much success I have to say.

Now anyone who knows me will testify to you that my house is so crammed with books that it somewhat resembles a mini-library. However, my organisational skills do not in any way resemble that of a professional librarian, so you can imagine what a jumble of titles and genres you will come across while looking around for a specific book.

So instead of persisting in my search, I was distracted by a book I had long forgotten about. What caught my eye were the capital letters HGV. So there I sat, cross-legged on the floor of my bedroom with my nose stuck in a HGV book.

But before you start to scratch your head in wonder believing I had suddenly developed a passion for driving heavy goods vehicles, do not worry, I am not considering getting a tattoo and hanging out of a lorry cab window shouting 'alright love' to any passing young men at motorway service stations.

Something to ponder though!

No, this book was on the subject of Honey, Garlic and Vinegar. These three potent ingredients have some wonderful health benefits individually, but when you combine them together you get a triple whammy of healing powers that doctors are now proving scientifically.

Did you know for example that raw, unpasteurized honey contains a complex mix of organic acids, esters, enzymes, antibiotic agents, trace minerals, and plant pigment to name but a few. This is why you see such a price difference between natural, raw honey, and regular jars of honey found in the supermarket that have been pasteurized. So when cooking with honey always go for the cheaper brands and keep the expensive stuff to eat as it is.

Most people will already be aware of the health benefits of garlic, and how it can lower bad fats in the blood stream to help prevent heart disease. But did you know it can also help to strengthen your immune system to prevent or fight off colds and flu. For those of us leading a busy life where we cannot afford to slow down, or take time out to nurse a cold, it could pay you to eat more garlic to help ward off all those nasty bugs circulating the office each winter.

Vinegar has to be one of our most ancient substances estimated to have been in use for well over 10,000 years. If you wanted to invent a liquid that can be used internally for good health, externally for disinfecting wounds, and could also be used as an effective household cleaner - you would have hit a gold mine with vinegar.

Around 2,400 years ago, Hippocrates was renowned for prescribing vinegar to cure all manner of ills amongst his patients. You could say that in those times vinegar was the equivalent of aspirin today.

One of the earliest diet drinks was believed to be used by ancient Persians to rid the body of fatty deposits, and this was made from vinegar and citric fruit juice. So maybe our diet obsessed nation are no so different to our ancient ancestors after all.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Remedy

The health benefits of the apple cider vinegar and honey drink are widely known. This recipe has traditionally been used as an at-home self remedy for many ailments, and even an anti-aging elixir. Many people have smartly made use of its cleansing and disinfecting properties to self-detoxify their body. It is seen as a powerful cleansing agent and natural healing elixir with naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic that fights germs and bacteria.

Alkaline-Forming Diet

So, how does this vinegar and honey remedy actually work? A person's bloodstream tends toward becoming acidic with our modern diet of fats, starches and processed foods, (e.g fast foods, meats, peanuts, seafoods, alcohol and coffee)and if your body is acidic, disease can flourish; if it is alkaline, it is in balance and can fight off germs and ailments such as bladder and kidney conditions, osteoporosis, brittle bones, joint pains, aching muscles, low energy and chronic fatigue, and slow digestion. Raw fruits, leafy green vegetables, legumes, and tea are examples of alkaline forming foods. Interestingly and ironically, a food's acid or alkaline-forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food itself. For instance, lemons and limes are very acidic, however the end-products they produce after digestion and assimilation are very alkaline so lemons and limes are alkaline-forming in the body. Likewise, meat will test alkaline before digestion but it leaves very acidic residue in the body so, like nearly all animal products, meat is very acid-forming. It is important to know that stomach acid or the pH of the stomach is an entirely different matter from the pH of the body's fluids and tissues. The body has an acid-alkaline (or acid-base) ratio called the pH which is a balance between positively charges ions (acid-forming) and negatively charged ions (alkaline-forming). When this balance is compromised many problems can occur. The body is forced to borrow minerals-including calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium from vital organs and bones to neutralize the acid and safely remove it from the body. And severe damage can be done to the body due to high acidity. Ideally, for most people, the ideal diet is 75 percent alkalizing and 25 percent acidifying foods by volume. Allergic reactions and other forms of stress also tend to produce excessive acids in the body.

The alkalinity of apple cider vinegar can correct excess acidity in our system and help prevent and fight infection. Honey added to the vinegar naturally makes the mixture more drinkable for people. And the good news is that unprocessed raw honey has been classfified as an alkaline-forming food. (Processed honey is only little acidifying and artifical sweetener is very acidifying). When you first drink the apple cider vinegar formula, it might taste horrible to you, but as your body becomes less acidic and more alkaline, it would begin to taste good. The ailments that could be cured by this apple cider vinegar and honey treatment include:

1. Premature aging

2. Obesity

3. Food poisoning

4. Heat exhaustion

5. Heartburn

6. Brittle nails

7. Bad breath

8. Arthritis

9. High blood pressure

10. High cholesterol level

Try this healthy and refreshing vinegar and honey drink! Essentially, to prepare:

* Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of raw honey. (Apple cider vinegar is actually made from fresh, organic, crushed apples that are allowed to mature naturally in wooden barrels, but you can get it easily from the grocery shops or supermarkets.)

* Dissolve in a glass of chilled water.

* Take it twice daily.

Note: For this vinegar and honey remedy, do not get commercial distilled vinegars as they do not contain the same health values of organic, raw apple cider vinegar. The powerful enzymes and minerals like potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, iron copper, fluorine, silicon, pectin and natural malic and tartaric acids, which are important in fighting body toxins and inhibiting bacteria growth, are all destroyed during the distilling process.