by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Health and Wellness, Immune Health, Nutrition, Recipes
The Master Tonic: Your Homemade Antiviral, Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory Powerhouse.
Now is the time to make this simple but powerful antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory remedy for the coming cold and flu season. It is known most commonly by the name “Master Tonic” and it is very easy to make.
This homemade medicine is an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic remedy that you can make in your own kitchen. We made it this month so that we are ready to keep our immune system strong when the season (and weather) changes.
This works as a preventative ally, keeping your immune system strong and it also works to help rally your immune system if a cold or flu strikes.
Remember: It’s best to use fresh,organic ingredients whenever possible. Especially, when making medicine.
Below are the health benefits of each ingredient. You will find the recipe at the bottom of the page.
The Health Benefits of Horseradish Root
- Antibacterial
- Antiviral
- A natural Antibiotic
- Anti-parasitic
- Anti-anemic
- Helps relieve bronchitis and cough
- Strengthens the immune system
- Stimulates the production of white blood cells
- High levels Vitamin C
The Health Benefits of Garlic
Best used in its raw or fermented form
- Natural Antibiotic
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Rich in phytoncides-such as allicin – helping cure infections at a faster rate.
It’s best to chop the garlic and wait 15 minutes prior to utilizing/ eating/ cooking. This allows the health-giving enzyme reaction of garlic to occur.
The Health Benefits of Tumeric Root
Curcumin is an incredible compound found in turmeric. It works synergistically with Black pepper which increases it’s bioavailability in the blood.
- anti-inflammatory
- Antibiotic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antiviral- helps fight influenza
- Protects the immune system
Curcumin has become popular and effective anti-inflammatory but even more so it has played an important supportive role in the treatment of cancer
The Health Benefits of Ginger Root
Ginger is a widely recognized medicinal root across many cultures for thousands of years.
- Powerful Anti- inflammatiory
- Reduces pain
- Helps alleviate gastrointestinal distress
- Helps eliminate intestinal gas
- Soothes the intestinal tract
- Recent studies have shown promising reports of Ginger’s anti-cancer properties
The Health Benefits of Onion
- Sulfur-rich assisting the body to detoxify
- Anti-carcenogenic
- Heart disease prevention
- Immune bosting
- DNA protection
The Health Benefits of Hot Peppers
- Rich in capsaicin which protects cells against cancer
- Regulate blood sugar
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Stimulate blood flow – helps relieve congestion associated with cold and sinus infections.
In this recipe we’ve used Jalepeño peppers because they were growing in our garden. However, Unripe green habaneros contain more Vitamin C than a serving of citrus fruit.
The Health Benefits of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
- Antioxidant
- Antimicrobial
- Probiotic -rich promoting a healthy intestinal tract
- Boosts the immune system
Master Tonic
Make this Anti-Viral, Anti-bacterial tonic for home use.
- 1 Part Fresh Horseradish Root ( )
- 1 Part Fresh Garlic ( diced)
- 1 Part Fresh Tumeric Root (or powdered turmeric if not available) ( )
- 1 Part Fresh Ginger Root
- 1 Part Onions (chopped then add to food processor)
- 1 Part Hot Peppers (jalapeño or other) (diced with gloves on)
- 1-2 Parts Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
- 9 grinds Fresh Ground Pepper (works synergistically with tumeric)
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Grate, dice or add to food processor each ingredient at a time and add to jar.
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Fill mason jars of your choice 3/4 of the way full.
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Add in Apple Cider Vinegar to the top.
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Cover with lids (if using metal lids add parchment paper so the vinegar does not react with the metal lids.
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Store in a place out of the sun. Shaking gently once per day for two weeks, and then filter the Master Tonic mixture through a clean piece of cheese cloth or other, bottle and label.
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Can be stored in the pantry indefinitely.
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Take 1 or 2 ounces a day during cold and flu season, You can add raw organic honey if desired. Swish and then swallow. Don’t dilute with water.
The dosage for the Master Tonic is 1 or 2 ounces, two or more times daily.
For an infection, 1 or 2 ounces taken 5-6 times a day will be suffcient. It can be used during pregnancies, is safe for children (use smaller dosesand maybe a dropper full with added honey). This is a non-toxic food.
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Nutrition, Recipes
Nettles Pesto
Nettles, a spring food are incredibly healthy and nourishing. This is my favorite way (so far) to get my nettles on. You can easily adapt this recipe to basil if you’re cleansing during a time without Nettles.
Ingredients
1 bunch of fresh Nettles
1⁄2 C pine nuts (if you can’t tolerate pine nuts try almonds, walnuts or cashews)
2-3 cloves garlic (chopped)
Olive oil (best to do this by sight, but start with 1/8-1/4 C)
Salt to taste.
Instructions
- Use tongs to handle Nettles, they will sting you until blanched!
- Bring a pot of filtered water to boil enough to submerge the bunch ofnettles you have.
- Rinse the Nettles- using tongs- in a bowl with cold water and gentlyagitate to clean off dirt, drain, repeat 2 more times.
- When water is hot or boiling places nettles – using tongs- into thewater and push around until the color changes – and they begin to brighten and plump – just a few seconds.
- Remove by pouring water into a mesh strainer or colander sitting overa bowl – so you can capture the water. Set aside this Nettles water and drink as a hot tea. Drink it plain or add some mint to it.
- Place nettles, garlic, pine nuts, (basil and/or mint if desired) and someoil into a food processor (or Vita mix)
- Add more oil for desired consistency, add salt to taste
Serve with zucchini or spaghetti squash pasta. Dip veggies into it; serve over
roasted cauliflower, or with anything, really.
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Acupuncture, Education, Sports Injuries
How Acupuncture Helps Speed Recovery Times
Recovery is the process we go through in order to return to a healthy state. What is health? Everyone has a unique answer to this question whether you are recovering from an acute injury, a surgical procedure, or addiction and a simple answer may be the absence of a disease state. In Classical Chinese Medicine texts, the primary focus for healthy function of organs is most used and the optimal state of health is the starting point for treatment. If an organ is healthy, then these are the functions is how this concept of health is transmitted. This perception allows a more holistic understanding of a healthy, optimal function than the R.I.C.E. method of treating an ankle sprain or to take a set of pills for each symptom.
To Ice or Not to Ice
In Chinese Medicine, there are several techniques to reduce swelling and relieve inflammation without using ice such as; emergency acupoints to move energy, kill pain, and stimulate circulation, cupping to disperse coagulating blood and fluid, and cooling herbal poultices and plasters that reduce inflammation. The truth is that while ice does contract the blood vessels in the local area to reduce swelling and cool the heat of inflammation, ice also can congeal the fluids that cause swelling. This inhibits reabsorption and delays the healing process. Why do some sprains heal quickly while others do not? This is the question to ask when considering icing an injury. Note: If necessary, ice should be applied sparingly, less than 10 minutes per hour and only when red, hot, and swollen in the moments following the injury.
Increase the flow
When acupuncture needles are placed in the body, a local healing response is initiated. This includes red blood cells and critical nutrients to repair the micro-trauma of the insertion. The result is natural healing mechanisms of the body are directed to cleanse and renew injured tissue.
How Acupncture Helps you Find Balance
As your body heals from any type of trauma, the return to a balanced state is the goal. In the initial acupuncture treatment, a detailed diagnosis of the major organ systems and the human energy system is examined in order to facilitate the appropriate treatment plan. The Heart, Spleen, Lungs, Kidneys, and Liver should be assessed to ensure proper function and cooperation in order for lasting effect of treatment. This is called “ben” or root treatment and partly explains how acupuncture needles in your leg can help your neck.
Once you’ve experienced the blissful moments on the table, you can easily sense the additional stress reduction and deep relaxation that accompanies an acupuncture treatment. This effect is also a big part of the healing process which creates access to your innate healing potential, that strong emotions like worry, fear, and anxiety can block. Once acupuncture restores your body’s healing mechanism, you are able to repair the initial complaint, and also address other problems that interfere with optimum health. For these reasons, acupuncture can help speed recovery from acute trauma to major surgery and reduce the need for painkillers and unnecessary suffering.
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Acupuncture
Video Transcription
Q: Today we’re asking “Does insurance cover acupuncture?”
Chad Johnson: That is a very common question. The insurance industry as a whole is in a lot of flux right now. Some companies will cover acupuncture depending on the policiy, but that’s something you really need to call your insurance company and see if they will cover it. We accept payment at the time of treatment. We are happy to provide a Super Bill for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. For patients who are covered, we have heard of no problems with reimbursement. That’s a common way to practice acupuncture. Medicaid does cover acupuncture for back pain (this info updated as of 2021). My fingers are crossed that with the opioid epidemic that soon we will see a lot more coverage.
Q: And it is, I know in other countries, obviously acupuncture is covered, so it is kind of changing a little bit over time. So, this could be happening in the future where insurance companies start covering it more.
Chad Johnson: Yes, hopefully. We’ll see how it goes.
Q: Definitely. Okay. Well, if you want to ask a specific question you can call 828-668-5322 or ChadJohnsonAcupuncture.com. And thanks.
Chad Johnson: All right. Thank you.
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Acupuncture
Short Interview
Q: Obviously, acupuncture involves needles, and today we’re just asking different questions about acupuncture. So, I think one of the questions I’m wondering is, is acupuncture painful?
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