My mom used to make this recipe every single autumn. It was a simple recipe: honey, horseradish and lemon most of the time. Sometimes she would add some herbs. She would send me and my brother in the garden with a pick axe and we would dig for horseradish. I was usually the one who would wash and grate it. I had to stay outside to grate the horseradish because it's super strong and can hurt my eyes.
After I came to Canada, I forgot about this recipe for a couple of years until I visited my cousin in Portland. I was coughing and she grabbed the jar from the fridge and gave me a teaspoon of a mixture and said, "Remember, don't breath for a couple of seconds I put too much horseradish in it." It was that moment that I remembered. I grew up with this cocontion and it was the first thing my mom would give us when we would feel a cold or a cough coming. It was a simple recipe but it worked like a charm.
My kids are so used to this mixture, even when they go camping in the winter without me, they take a bit in a jar as a prevention. After I started using essential oils in my life, I added some to this amazing cocontion for their therapeutic properties. To ingest essential oils, they must be therapeutic and from a trusty source: https://www.youngliving.com/en_CA/discover/seed-to-seal
Ingredients:
Honey
Horseradish
Rosemary
Thyme
Lemon
Oregano essential oils
I use a large jar and I layer the ingredients. I grated the horseradish beforehand (go outside in a large area and keep your hands away from your face when you grate). After I placed all the ingredients in the jar, I mix and I keep the jar in the fridge.
Honey has antibacterial properties, strengthens the immune system, contains high antioxidants and helps relieve throat irritation.
Horseradish has so many therapeutic properties, which include helping in respiratory tract infections and coughs. It acts as an antioxidant and has antibacterial properties. It gives me a burning sensation my sinuses, nose and throat.
Lemon. The benefits of lemon are well known. They are rich in vitamin C, they boost immunity, fight inflammation,
Thyme. My mom always used thyme in her cooking, tea or in this cocontion. Thyme has many properties. It contains thymol which is antiviral, antibacterial and strengthens the immune system. Since I have the essential oil, I add a drop or 2 into the mixture beside the plant.
Rosemary. I did not know about rosemary in Romania, but I quickly learned about this plant after I came to Canada. First I used it in cooking and of course I knew that it has medicinal properties like many other plants. Because rosemary has several health benefits like protecting the immune system, reducing inflammation and pain and contains high amounts of antioxidants, I always included in this recipe.
Oregano. Oregano provide antioxidants, fights bacteria, relieves inflammation and can be used in colds, cough and asthma because of its properties.
I use the plants in the mixture, but I like to drop a couple of drops of essential oils in it because essential oils are more potent than the herb. And the reality is, if I run out of the fresh herb, I always have the essential oil at hand.
All these ingredients are highly powerful in supporting the immune system, and leaves my throat feeling fresh and renewed.
Be healthy, Be well
Neli
If you have health issues, oils can help, I know from my own experience.
Also, Neli have seen how and worked with the people who make the oils. Knowing how and where they come from is also very important.
It has been great getting to know you Neli.
Thank you!!!!!!