ACV Allergy Killer Drink

Pollen sucks. I’m pretty sure it’s my husband’s one weakness. It turns him from my Iron Man into a sniffly, snotty, congested mess. And seeing as how I never enjoy seeing my man suffer the clutches of springtime seasonal allergies, I came up with a remedy that had him cleared up within minutes.

There are several variations of this recipe, which is similar to a hot toddy, but I’ll go ahead and say, there is no alcohol in this one.

Ingredients:

1/2 Frozen Lemon, cut into wedges
1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1 Tbsp. Raw Local Honey
6-8 oz. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar with “Mother”

In a mug, mix the pepper and honey into a paste. Then add the apple cider vinegar and microwave on high power for about 1 minute. Then add the frozen lemon wedges and stir. Drink while warm.

Notes:

The honey should be local to your area and preferably raw. This ensures it was made with the pollen/nectar from the plants in your area and helps to build a natural immunity and resistance to those allergens.

The Cayenne pepper may seem pretty intense, so depending on your particular level of congestion and spice tolerance, you can cut that down to 1/2 tsp. It’s purpose is to heat the body and loosen up the mucous so it can drain out.

The honey and lemon work to coat the throat and clean out the bacteria that may be accompanying a mild or early stage sinus infection due to congestion and post-nasal drip. The significance of the lemon being frozen is 3 fold: 1) It is easier to cut into wedges without wasting juice that squirts out inevitibly into your eye 2) It acts as a functional ice cube to the drink, 3) I frequently buy lemons in bulk and they shrivel up and dry out into little mold covered rocks that I never use. So, freezing them ensures I have a bulk stock of lemons that stay fresh. Also, if you’re using frozen lemons in other recipes, they zest more easily than non-frozen lemons.

Following up with a neti rinse is beneficial in clearing out the sinus cavities.

This should have you breathing easier in no time. My husband was crying out his congestion in a matter of minutes and within an hour felt completely better.

There is much to be said for natural remedies that don’t have the harsh affects of OCT or prescription decongestants or expectorants on the body.