Honeygar, anyone?

No not honey bear. Honeygar (or honegar, depending on who's writing), is a folk medicine advocated by  D.C. Jarvis, a Vermont physician, in the first half of the 1900's that Pete and I are working into our daily routine.  It's a cocktail of equal parts Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey.  It can be taken a spoonful at a time, in a glass of hot or cold water (often called Witch's Brew, ha!), or on top of a salad.  Personally, I can't stand vinegar so I take a spoonful and chase it with a bit of juice.

I'm learning to get past its taste because it's one of the most beneficial natural cure-alls I've come across.  The list of benefits is a little long but not worth editing down.  When taken as a cleanser, 1-3 times a day it

• reduces sinus infections
• combats bad breath
• clears skin and helps fight acne (woohoo!)
• increases metabolism and aids weight loss (big WOOHOO!)
• balances high cholesterol
• lowers blood pressure
• helps control blood sugar
• naturally combats bacteria in your digestive tract, helping the kidneys and bladder
• prevents bladder stones and UTIs
• guards against food poisoning
• helps with chronic headache and fatigue
• cures constipation
• fights allergies (particularly if you use local honey)
• alleviates symptoms of arthritis

The last two items also apply to animals when you add a bit to their water, and it helps pets repel flies.

So for all that, I can put up with a few tablespoons a day.  The science behind it is attractively simple.  Often, by an over consumption of acidic foods (animals products, white flour, sugar) and drinks (coffee and carbonated drinks) our bodies' PH level becomes too acidic.  As alkaline foods, the honey and ACV work to balance our PH level, an often overlooked component of good health. 

It is important to use raw, unpasteurized honey.  Even better to use local honey since the bees making the honey have been exposed to all the same allergens that are causing you problems!  Honeygar has no known interactions with other medications, but it's always a good idea to bring it up to your doctor if you're thinking about starting a Honeygar regimen.  And I read here that because it cleanses your system, if you have a buildup of toxins from smoking, drinking, etc... you could spend a few days on the pot.  This site's FAQs addresses Honeygar for diabetics (hint - remember it helps control blood sugar!).

At first the taste of it turned me off, but if I really want to start taking responsibility for my health, this seems a good place to start.  And I already have both ingredients in the house because I use them to wash my hair!  Jarvis was a supporter of household remedies used as part of a larger alkaline-diet.  Again, the diet works to balance your body's PH level.  Purportedly, following this diet can guard against cancer but there is little scientific support for that claim. 

If you're interested in more, Jarvis wrote a book Folk Medicine: An Almanac of Natural Health Care which gives a more in depth look at the benefits of Honeygar.   So plug your nose and drink up! Cheers!