Exceptional Tonics and Cordials Coming Soon to a Market Near You.

 
Drink a tonic a day and keep the doctor away!

Tonic herbs can be described as "normalizers" which nurture and nourish. 

"Tonic herbs are the highest and most sought after herbal remedies in many traditional systems of healing.  Both Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda traditions have tonics central to thier healing practices. " Christopher Hobbs - Master herbalist.

"These tonics nourish specific cells, tissues, organs and as a result the Whole individual over a period of time has systemic support. These remedies help focus and call forth the bio-genetic potential or vitality of the individual. Supporting the immune system, nerve function or hormonal system. Tonics are very gentle and slow. Unlike stimulants that deplete the system  tonics provide nutrients that the body can use, such as vitamins, minerals and many other constituents. "   Christopher Hobbs - Master herbalist.

Dandelion and Burdock, Good For Whatever Ails You

Dandelion and Burdock, good for whatever ails you. by Ria Herblover

If I had only one combination to take for general health, what would I take? Dandelion and Burdock.
Why? Because you get sick because you are not getting rid of toxins.
You chew, drink, breath, bathe, and in today's world those simple actions accumulate toxins in your system.
Burdock: Is your deep cleaner. It is an antibiotic, anti-fungal, diaphoretic (makes you sweat), diuretic (makes you pee), a mild laxative, and an antipyretic (helps when you have a fever).
It's great for pulling the deep toxins from your liver, joints (like gout) and helps lower your blood sugar.
If you're going to use it for your joints, it's best to make a poultice out of it. Do that by low simmering burdock in a non-aluminum  pot for about 2 minutes or so. Take it off the stove, and let it cool down a bit, then soak some sort of fabric in it, then wrap it around the affected area. you might want to wrap some plastic wrap around the poultice to keep the heat in and to keep the liquid from getting everything all wet and messy.
Dandelion: Is a hepatic, aperient (gently moves the bowels), diuretic (makes you pee), tonic, and stomach ache. It's fantastic for helping get rid of the crud. It is useful with all kinds of kidney, liver, gallbladder and inflammation of the bowels trouble.
It promotes the secretion of bile, and stimulates liver, pancreas, spleen and gallbladder. The fresh root is good for helping with gallstones, jaundice, alcoholism, hepatitis, scurvy, and especially enlargement of the liver and spleen.
Dandelion is a tonic for female reproductive congestion (along with red rasberry leaf).
In the simplest of terms, dandelion and burdock together dig deep into your system and strengthens your body, making it inhospitable for toxins, and then this combination moves all your elimination systems along. Thereby kicking all those toxins out.
So go to the health food store, grab some loose dandelion and burdock (and mint for flavor), mix it half and half (add mint and honey to taste), and stop feeling so sluggish.
It's good for most of what ails ya.

Oh, for the sweetness of Elder flower on my table!

One of the most refreshing drinks for the summer is an Elderflower Cordial. An Elderflower Cordial Recipe is quick and easy to make and a great excuse for a long walk collecting flowers.

The Elderflower season is short, June to the latest, mid-July, if you live in the the north or Scotland. The heavily scented flowers make a wonderful, refreshing Elderflower Cordial which when stored in sterilized bottles will keep for months. If you are out collecting Elderflowers, a word of warning make sure you have permission to pick them and never pick flowers from trees on roadsides, they may be tainted with petrol fumes.

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Steeping of flowers: 48 hours

Total Time: 48 hours, 40 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 ¼ lbs /1k cane sugar
  • 3 pints/1.5 liters boiling water
  • 4 medium lemons, washed
  • 30 large Elderflower heads, shake to remove any insects
  • 2 oz/55g citric acid

Preparation:

  • Place the sugar into a large saucepan/stockpot or a large Pyrex bowl. Pour the boiling water over and stir until all the sugar has dissolved and leave to cool.
  • Grate the rind of the lemons with a fine grater, add to the sugar water. Slice the lemons into thick slices and add to the water. Add the citric acid and stir, then finally add the flower heads to the water and stir again.
  • Cover with a clean cloth and leave to steep for 48 hours.
  • Strain through clean fine muslin cloth into a clean bowl.
  • Using a funnel, fill sterilized bottles (see note below). Seal and store in a cool, dark place (not the refrigerator).
The cordial is delicious diluted with still or fizzy water or used as a flavoring in ice creams or in fruit fools.

Once a bottle is opened store in the refrigerator.

Bringing a healthy English tradition across the pond to your table.

The definition of medicinal tonics

In England tonics are considered restorative, bracing, invigorating. They are used as medicinal and or  daily support agents to strengthen and invigorate; something that restores and refreshes.

LEGENDARY TONICS OF GREEK MEDICINE

Natural Wonders of the Ancient World

     Greek Medicine places a high priority on strengthening constitutional vitality and resistance to disease.  And so, tonics play an important and valued role in Greek Medicine.  Certain of these tonics became truly legendary for their awesome healing and restorative powers.  You could call them the Natural Wonders of the Ancient World.

Good enough for Shakespear's England

Shakespeare’s "Pericles" was written in his last great creative phase around 1607 and around the time that Hall became a part of the Shakespeare family. In it he has a doctor character, Lord Cerimon who at one point states his creed of life as follows:
I hold it ever
Virtue and cunning were endowments greater
Than nobleness and riches. Careless heirs
May the two latter darken and expend,
But immortality attends the former,
Making a man a god. ‘Tis know I ever
Have studied physic, through which secret art,
By turning o’er authorities, I have
Together with my practice, made familiar
To me and to my aid the blest infusions
That dwells in vegetives, in metals, stones;
and I can speak of the disturbances
That Nature works, and of her cures;
which doth give me
A more content in course of true delight
Than to be thirsty after tottering honour ......

Elderflower cordial

Homemade elderflower cordial is so much better than anything you can buy. Serve with sparkling water for a refreshing drink or sparkling wine for a delicious cocktail.

If you can't find Tasty Tonic near you try making your own elder cordial. Another great recipe below.
Elderflower cordial

Ingredients

Preparation method

  1. Gently rinse over the elderflowers to remove any dirt or little creatures.
  2. Pour the boiling water over the sugar in a very large mixing bowl. Stir well and leave to cool.
  3. Add the citric acid, the orange and lemon slices, and then the flowers.
  4. Leave in a cool place for 24 hours, stirring occasionally.
  5. Strain through some muslin and transfer to sterilized bottles.
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