Switchel Recipe

I got permission to post this from Homestead Mamma's blog. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm going to soon. Michael loves Gatorade, but he knows it isn't healthy for him, so I'm going to start packing this in his lunch when he's out in the field.

The Health Benefits of Switchel
Switchel is an old Amish drink that they use to serve during haying and other strenuous activities, used to quench thirst and restore electrolytes. It’s their form of Gatorade (LOL!) Since summer is nearing, I thought I'd post my recipe for it here. It's really easy to make and it really works well!

Switchel:

8 cups pure filtered water

1 cup raw honey (I found this too sweet, I would cut it in half next time)

½ cup raw organic apple cider vinegar

½ cup black strap molasses

½ tsp. Ground ginger

Place all ingredients in a saucepan and heat until all the honey has dissolved.Serve hot in the winter or drink as a daily tea or you can serve it iced in the summer as a refreshing drink. It’s especially good to be used when you have a cold or the flue and even when your sinuses are acting up, just start drinking it at the first sign of a cold. You can drink daily as a refreshing change from water or tea. It is also a good treatment for acid reflux. The ingredients are extremely healthful, so this drink is excellent for daily use and is also safe for pregnant women.

Raw Honey:
Honey is soothing to the throat
Has anti-bacterial properties
Has anti-viral properties
Has anti-fungal properties
Is helpful in wound healing
Raises blood levels of protective anti-oxidants
Helps lower cholesterol, especially the bad LDL cholesterol

Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar:
It’s a natural stimulant
It cleanses and restores nutrients to the body so that the body can heal itself
Helps remove toxins from the body
Supports the immune system
Promotes healthy skin
Helps control weight
Improves digestion and assimilation
Sooths tight and aching joints caused by arthritis
Sooths sore muscles from exercise
It regulates the metabolism
Reduces cholesterol
Helps regulate blood pressure
Increases concentration and memory
Counteracts bladder infections, because it normalizes the pH which causes the infections
It is supposed to help balance your body’s pH.
Helps clear the sinuses
Contains potassium, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon, fluorine, vitamins C, E, A, B1, B2, B6, and beta-carotene

Black Strap Molasses:
Provides iron for energy and is great for treating anemia. It provides more iron for fewer calories than meat and is fat free. It often suggested for pregnant women to consume when they are anemic during pregnancy.
Provides calcium for healthy bones and teeth. Helps prevent osteoporosis
Treats constipation
Eases joint pain caused by arthritis.
Contains manganese, copper, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and selenium.

Ginger:
Helps control motion sickness, nausea and morning sickness
It’s an anti-inflammatory which helps those who suffer with arthritis
It helps control weight
May help by preventing the growth of cancer
Helps boost your immune system
Contains potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6.

As you can see, Switchel is chock full of ingredients that are good for you and promotes health. I think it’s right up there with kefir and kombucha tea for healthy drinks!